The following preview is courtesy of Neil Evans at Luxbet.
There’s always something about a Randwick mile – big fields or small, handicaps or weight-for-age – it’s guaranteed to pull punters through the gates!
But tomorrow’s Group 1 George Main Stakes has a few more tantalising strings to the bow. Back comes current Epsom fancy on Luxbet Shoot Out, alongside the warrior stablemates Rangirangdoo and Danleigh, and the specialist Randwick mare Secret Admirer. Then we have the much-hyped three-year-old All Too Hard, with just 50gs at weight-for-age, stepping to the mile for the first time amid a re-directed Spring campaign. Two other third-up runners Yosei and Somepin Anypin can’t be dismissed. In fact, only rank outsider Quintessential is considered no hope!
While the speed will come off through the middle parts, all along I’ve felt this is Secret Admirer’s race. She can stay out of trouble from a wider gate knowing when the pressure goes on at the 600m, she should only be a few lengths off them. And she gives me the impression as a five-year-old she can sustain her finish over more ground.
At Caulfield, punters are already answering the big question. Can any runner beat Manighar – sensationally backed on Luxbet from $3.60 into $2.50 with money still coming – in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes? I severely doubt it, although both Sincero and Kiwi raider Ocean Park are the logical threats. Also on the card are a couple of cracking Spring “stepping stone” races – the Group 3 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) for the three-year-old fillies and the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) for staying types trying to reach the Caulfield Cup!
Here’s a snap-shot of how I see the big day:
MY UNDERWOOD TIP: MANIGHAR - Cannot go against him. A weight-for-age powerhouse who comes to ha nd quickly and was unlucky not to win the Makybe Diva resuming when held up at a vital stage. Even better placed here up to 1800m. Will sit off the fence and just behind a moderate speed before cutting loose on the point of the turn.
MY BEST BET: SECRET ADMIRER (Randwick R6): Tough mare who has hit the line strongly at her two runs back, and now gets to her pet Randwick mile. Well treated getting 2kgs from her main male rivals, and can finish over the top.
MY VALUE BETS: SEA GALLEON (Caulfield R8): His last couple of runs have been terrific getting home hard without alot of luck in the straight. Even though he jumps sharply in grade to Group 3, is beautifully placed dropping to a 54kg limit. Way over the odds!
EMOTIONAL CIRCUS (Randwick R8): Was brilliant first-up from the back, and then finished off strong again in an unsuitably run race behind More Joyous. Despite big and competitive Group 2 sprint, he’s on the limit weight, and with a tonne of speed on, should be powering home. Late in the day tends to suit back-markers, and the double figure odds bet early is way too big!
MY BEST LAY: LAMASERY (Randwick R7): While he’s crying out for the step up to 2000m, I’m concerned he could be shunted a long way back from the inside draw in a race with little speed on. Always needs time and room to wind up so tactically looks way under the odds!
BEST BACKED ON LUXBET: MANIGHAR (Caulfield R7): By a country mile. Fixed odds punters seem convinced this is his race and have not stopped backing him for days from the opening $3.40 into $2.50. Guaranteed to jump shorter!
NEIL’S RANDWICK RAIDER:
R4 No. 3 JADE MARAUDER: Has come back in strong order, and while her main rivals here are very good, she has a real liking for powering home at Randwick. Over th e odds at the ideal 1500m, but save on the quinella with 1. Dear Demi!
NEIL’S CAULFIELD CRACKER:
R4 No. 10 ANISE: I’m expecting massive improvement from her unplaced first-up run over 1000m this track three weeks back. Better suited this time and drops to 54kg limit. Will give you a sight at big odds!
NEIL’S DOOMBEN DASHERS:
R2: No 3. GREY ASSIGNMENT: Strong effort last start, and from an inside draw with jockey claiming 2kg, looks beautifully placed to return to the winner’s stall. Load up!
R5: No. 6. ALVITAS: Change of rider and wide draw should ensure a good price. Didn’t have a lot of luck last start, but only needs to find any sort of trailing position here to claim them in the straight!
R8: No. 6. PURE PURRFECTION: Could be the Bet of the Day! Up in weight, but placed to win again over the right trip from a middle gate. Load up even bigger!
There’s always something about a Randwick mile – big fields or small, handicaps or weight-for-age – it’s guaranteed to pull punters through the gates!
But tomorrow’s Group 1 George Main Stakes has a few more tantalising strings to the bow. Back comes current Epsom fancy on Luxbet Shoot Out, alongside the warrior stablemates Rangirangdoo and Danleigh, and the specialist Randwick mare Secret Admirer. Then we have the much-hyped three-year-old All Too Hard, with just 50gs at weight-for-age, stepping to the mile for the first time amid a re-directed Spring campaign. Two other third-up runners Yosei and Somepin Anypin can’t be dismissed. In fact, only rank outsider Quintessential is considered no hope!
While the speed will come off through the middle parts, all along I’ve felt this is Secret Admirer’s race. She can stay out of trouble from a wider gate knowing when the pressure goes on at the 600m, she should only be a few lengths off them. And she gives me the impression as a five-year-old she can sustain her finish over more ground.
At Caulfield, punters are already answering the big question. Can any runner beat Manighar – sensationally backed on Luxbet from $3.60 into $2.50 with money still coming – in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes? I severely doubt it, although both Sincero and Kiwi raider Ocean Park are the logical threats. Also on the card are a couple of cracking Spring “stepping stone” races – the Group 3 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) for the three-year-old fillies and the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) for staying types trying to reach the Caulfield Cup!
Here’s a snap-shot of how I see the big day:
MY UNDERWOOD TIP: MANIGHAR - Cannot go against him. A weight-for-age powerhouse who comes to ha nd quickly and was unlucky not to win the Makybe Diva resuming when held up at a vital stage. Even better placed here up to 1800m. Will sit off the fence and just behind a moderate speed before cutting loose on the point of the turn.
MY BEST BET: SECRET ADMIRER (Randwick R6): Tough mare who has hit the line strongly at her two runs back, and now gets to her pet Randwick mile. Well treated getting 2kgs from her main male rivals, and can finish over the top.
MY VALUE BETS: SEA GALLEON (Caulfield R8): His last couple of runs have been terrific getting home hard without alot of luck in the straight. Even though he jumps sharply in grade to Group 3, is beautifully placed dropping to a 54kg limit. Way over the odds!
EMOTIONAL CIRCUS (Randwick R8): Was brilliant first-up from the back, and then finished off strong again in an unsuitably run race behind More Joyous. Despite big and competitive Group 2 sprint, he’s on the limit weight, and with a tonne of speed on, should be powering home. Late in the day tends to suit back-markers, and the double figure odds bet early is way too big!
MY BEST LAY: LAMASERY (Randwick R7): While he’s crying out for the step up to 2000m, I’m concerned he could be shunted a long way back from the inside draw in a race with little speed on. Always needs time and room to wind up so tactically looks way under the odds!
BEST BACKED ON LUXBET: MANIGHAR (Caulfield R7): By a country mile. Fixed odds punters seem convinced this is his race and have not stopped backing him for days from the opening $3.40 into $2.50. Guaranteed to jump shorter!
NEIL’S RANDWICK RAIDER:
R4 No. 3 JADE MARAUDER: Has come back in strong order, and while her main rivals here are very good, she has a real liking for powering home at Randwick. Over th e odds at the ideal 1500m, but save on the quinella with 1. Dear Demi!
NEIL’S CAULFIELD CRACKER:
R4 No. 10 ANISE: I’m expecting massive improvement from her unplaced first-up run over 1000m this track three weeks back. Better suited this time and drops to 54kg limit. Will give you a sight at big odds!
NEIL’S DOOMBEN DASHERS:
R2: No 3. GREY ASSIGNMENT: Strong effort last start, and from an inside draw with jockey claiming 2kg, looks beautifully placed to return to the winner’s stall. Load up!
R5: No. 6. ALVITAS: Change of rider and wide draw should ensure a good price. Didn’t have a lot of luck last start, but only needs to find any sort of trailing position here to claim them in the straight!
R8: No. 6. PURE PURRFECTION: Could be the Bet of the Day! Up in weight, but placed to win again over the right trip from a middle gate. Load up even bigger!