Thunderbet’s Johnny ‘Highway’ Patton is riding a wave of good form, and he was going to do a preview for the Big Dance Wild Card this week.
Unfortunately, most horses are all City trained, so he’s focused on the 1800m Class Three Handicap at Royal Randwick.
It will be a Good 4, and the rail position is out five meters for the entire track.
Horses 7, 12, 14, and 16 are dual acceptors, but I’ve done the form with them in it. It’s always interesting these races as some have raced over the journey and others haven’t.
My on-top pick is the Danielle Seib-trained, five-year-old-mare Amarantz ($3.50).
Her first-up run two weeks ago at Rosehill over 1500m was sensational. The Goulburn mare had had three starts over the 1800m, resulting in one win and a third.
Tyler Schiller stays on board; the only little problem I see is that she’s drawn barrier one, and it gets back. Still, she only needs a little luck, and I expect her to finish over the top of them.
My second pick is Fay’s Angels ($9).
Her last four starts have been in tougher grades, and her last start was in the Port Macquarie Cup (2000m), where she began slowly and was terribly disadvantaged at the weights.
Trained out of Taree by Karen Owen, her daughter Madeline, who claims three kilograms, takes the ride for connections.
With no weight and some pace in the race, I expect this horse to get a terrific run and will be right in the finish.
I Am Good At This ($6.50) goes in as my third pick. Matthew, ‘The Magician’ Dunn, trains this very honest five-year-old gelding.
His start was a good win over 1720m at Grafton in a Class One race. The Murwillumbah’s racing pattern is to go forward, and this will be its first start over 1800m, but that won’t be any worry as it won in that fashion at Grafton.
My only negatives are that he goes up in class and has drawn barrier 15, so hopefully, it’s able to get over early.
With Dunn’s terrific record in the Highways and the fact that boom apprentice Zac Lloyd is on board, I wouldn’t think he’d be bringing him if he wasn’t a great chance.
The ‘Each Way Play’ this week is Lord Desanimaux ($18).
I tipped this horse at its latest start at Rosehill. He goes into this event third-up, and I expect trainer Terry Robinson will have him peaking for this.
Tommy Berry goes on board for the first time this preparation and he knows the horse well as he has won on him before.
I think it’s massive odds and will run a super race.
Thunderbet’s Selections
Amarantz ($3.50)
Fay’s Angel ($9)
I am Good at this ($6.50)
Each Way Play: Desanimaux ($18) and ($5) place.
The Kosciuszko recap
Following on from Saturday’s The Kosciuszko, wasn’t it wonderful to see Front Page go back-to-back when winning by nearly two lengths in the $2 million country-restricted race.
The horse has a sensational record first-up record, and he didn’t disappoint.
The Matthew Dale-trained horse was travelling throughout, and Tyler Schiller’s ride was beautifully judged.
I can’t wait to see where it races next.
