The great day has arrived, and Royal Randwick hasn’t disappointed us.
The $20 million Everest headlines a ten-race card. The track will be perfect, the rail in the true position, and as always, Thunbdert‘s John Patton has run his keen eye over the sensational field.
The $2 million Kosciuszko (1200m) is probably the strongest this year, with fourteen of the best New South Wales country-based horses on display.
I think the key to the race this year is that ten of the horses are first up, and if you get a chance to have a look at them in the yard, that will give the best insight as to whether they are ready to go first up.
My on-top selection and one of my favourite horses is Front Page ($5).
Geoff Duryea previously trained this horse, who did a wonderful job with this seven-year-old.
With Duryea retiring, Front Page is now in the hands of the very astute Goulburn-based trainer Matthew Dale.
This horse’s first-up record is four wins from seven starts, and he has had one start at Randwick, which coincidently was when it won last year’s Kosciuszko.
Tyler Schiller, who rode him in this year’s Wagga Town Plate, stays on board. He probably should have won the race after doing all the work out in front, while he didn’t stop getting annoyed by other horses.
Because of his stats and record, I think he will probably sit outside Mogo Magic and be very to beat again.
My second pick is the very promising mare Opal Ridge ($2.75).
Her runs last preparation were terrific. When racing in Brisbane, she competed in Group races. Her first-up record is three from three.
She had a barrier trial on September 22, sat three deep in the trial, and was never let go.
Luke Pepper, an excellent young trainer, has done a magnificent job with her, and there is no question he will have her wound up first.
James McDonald goes on board, and from barrier two, she will get the perfect run and will be right in the finish.
My third pick is Far too easy ($7.50), trained by David Mccolm at Murwillumbah.
Another horse first up, its last start run was in The Grafton Ramornie. This horse was the only one to make ground all day. It sat three deep and flew home to run second.
It’s had two barrier trials in Queensland that were both very good.
The number one Queensland jockey, James Orman, stays on board.
If it has any luck from barrier 12 and they can make ground on the day, this horse could blow them away.
This week’s ‘Each Way Play’ is Kimberley Secrets ($26). This horse is way over the odds. It flies second up, will get a great run from barrier one, and has no weight.
Trainer Nick Olive knows how to win big races, and Kathy O’Hara stays on board after a very credible first-up run.
It’s drawn perfectly in barrier one and loves a good track, and if it doesn’t run a big race, I’ll be very surprised.
Thunderbet Selections
Front Page ($5)
Opal Ridge ($2.75)
Far Too Easy ($7.50)
