We’re back to Royal Randwick this week for the 1100m Class Two Highway Handicap, and Thunderbet’s John Patton is looking to lead readers into a winner.
The Highway is set to be run on a rain-affected track, with Randwick a Heavy 8 when publishing this story.
Still, I expect the course to be upgraded to a soft rating by Saturday. The rail is in the true position.
I expect a lot of speed in the race, which could favour backmarkers.
Matthew Dunn seems to have a stranglehold on these races, but I’m steering away from his horses this week.
It might be a good idea to see how the track plays in Race One to determine if there is any track bias.
My top selection this week is Miss Kirribili ($6). This 5YO mare from the Tim Donnelly yard has an excellent first-up record and has had two starts on a soft track for two wins.
Danny Beasley has ridden this horse in its last two trials. Her first trial was at Albury in July behind Our Last Cash, which has since won at Flemington.
Her last trial was on August 8 at Gundagai, where it won the trial and was a good hit-out for this race. So, expect it to be fit enough to win this.
The Brett Cavanough-trained Sungblue ($8.50) is my second pick in the race. Brath Nock claims 3kg and is riding terrific.
This horse has won first-up and loves a soft track. Cavanough wouldn’t be bringing him to town unless he thought it was ready to win.
My third pick is Rumours Abound ($5.50) which won very well at Corowa last start and was ridden a treatl by Jason Lyon.
JMac goes on board this week, but connections have drawn sticky with barrier 17, although she will probably come in a couple with scratchings.
This 4YO mare goes forward, and there is a lot of pace underneath her, but she has plenty of ability.
It could pay to note that Ron Stubbs has a small stable but an amazing strike rate. Don’t be surprised if this horse wins a bigger race in Spring.
The ‘each way play’ this week was challenging to find. I could have come up with five other horses but have settled on the Cody Morgan-trained Ostracised ($20).
This horse will get back but will be finishing on like a steam train.
He drops 6kg in weight from his previous start at Tamworth, and that race was won in speedy time, where he ran third.
Thunderbet’s selections
Miss Kirribilli ($6)
Sungblue ($8.50)
Rumours Aboard ($5.50)
Each Way Play: Ostracised $20 win/5.50 place
