Saturday’s Highway Handicap at Royal Randwick is as intriguing as ever, and Thunderbet‘s John Patton has run his eye over the 1000m Class Three sprint.
This race distance hasn’t been run for a while, and looking at the Thunderbet speed map (see below), there will be plenty of speed to burn.
Plus, the track will be a Good 4 and the track is in a true position.
This week’s field comprises horses who have raced in Highway’s and some that haven’t but are up-and-coming types.
This week my on-top selection is Salire ($6). He’s coming into this race off a 49-day break and was racing in some stronger races than this one.
Zac Lloyd is in the saddle and will get the perfect run from barrier three. Additionally, he had a nice barrier trial earlier in the month at Scone.
With the speed in the race, he will get back, but I expect him to finish over the top of them late.
My second pick is the up-and-coming horse Once Again My Girl ($3.50), trained by Brett Cavanough.
This four-year-old mare looks exciting and has progressed through her grades quickly.
She’s only had three starts and won two races, and her maiden win time was 55.75 over 1000m, which is flying.
She has had two very nice trials coming into this, and if she doesn’t get too annoyed out in front with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, she’ll be right in the finish.
My third pick is the Tash Burleigh-trained Iron Will ($7.50).
This horse is having a sensational preparation.
In his last start at Randwick, he did all the work after leading and just got caught in running.
I do have a few worries that he is going up a kilo in weight, and I think it would be preferring a bit of give out of the ground.
Still, he’s also coming back from 1200 to 1000m, Billy Owen stays in the saddle, and the pair are going very well, and I think it will be in the finish again.
This week’s ‘Each Way Play’ is Smokeshow ($26).
I believe this Danielle Seib-trained galloper is over the odds. This horse’s form is better than what it looks.
He’s two starts this preparation has been in better class races and he’s had no no luck in running.
This horse gets back in its races but loves this track and distance.
Thunderbet’s Selections
1.Salire ($6).
2. Once Again My Girl ($3.50)
3. Iron will ($7.50)
