Race 1 - 12:40PM Drinkwise Plate Tips (1100m)
Selections: 11,12,3,16.
11. RUSSIAN CONQUEST won the Max Lees Classic, which hasn't been a great form race, albeit she was three-wide throughout and still the strongest late. Subsequent trial was excellent and interestingly the winkers go on. Straight to the Magic Millions with a good performance on Boxing Day.
12. Snitcat was fair in three outings before a let-up, the pick of them being a third at start two at Randwick. Felt her December 16 trial was much stronger than her work in September.
3. Hard To Say has been strong in two stakes races either side of a sixth and has the best body of work in the field. That biggest defeat was on a wet track, though.
16. Hellavadancer is the younger brother of Minsk Moment and improved off a very green first trial to win a recent heat. Respect any moves at a big price ($27.00 @
Sportsbet).
Race 2 - 1:15PM TAB Highway Handicap Tips (1100m)
Selections: 5,3,6,8.
5. CASINO LORD put the writing on the wall in two Highway runs, the last of those when motoring on December 11, so the 1100m should suit. While he's not blessed with tactical speed, Bowman can settle at least a few closer this time from a better draw, which could be the difference here.
3. Anethole is a stable mate to Casino Lord and has a similar racing pattern, but also has a big finish and should've won at least one Highway in winter. Huge on return and the extra 100m suits.
9. Tags won well first-up last prep on soft ground and gets the blinkers reapplied, which were removed as they tried to get him over ground. Talented and better suited to the sprint trips.
8. Ranuncula beat Castlebar Road at Dubbo last start, who had defeated a subsequent city winner in winter. Drops in the weights and could be the blowout ($19.00 @
bet365).
Race 3 - 1:50PM Bowermans Handicap Tips (1600m)
Selections: 4,2,7,5.
4. KIRWAN'S LANE should've gone close fresh in a luckless Goulburn Cup attempt and was then six weeks between runs at The Villiers, which was somewhat of a plain effort. This is his first time contesting a BM88 since defeating Ellsberg in May and any repeat of that effort would win this.
2. Criminal Code was consistent last prep, which culminated at Group level over staying trips. Was terrific first-up over 1300m, lead-up trial was sound and straight to the mile is a tick.
7. Five Kingdom recorded a much-deserved Flemington win last start following a strong of unlucky Sydney runs. Drops 3kg off that and back to 1600m no knock.
5. Wheelhouse is freshened-up following an ordinary Kembla run on November 20 and only just missed at listed level second-up prior to that.
Race 4 - 2:25PM Midway Handicap Tips (2000m)
Selections: 2,7,1.6.
2. MADE BY KHAN will get over even further, a one-paced gelding that steps to 2000m the first time following second and third-up victories, the last of those a strong all the way effort at Canterbury. If Bayliss can cross from out wide, this isn't much harder and likely gets a soft/heavy track again.
7. Spaltet has been building well and encountered traffic on December 4. Back to Midway level is easier and 2000m should be fine, it's just the dreaded bar plates now go on.
1. Pecuniary Interest bombed the start, but still saluted at 20/1 fresh, beating Majella (won on Wednesday) and Remus, who is handy. Goes up 3kg off that run.
6. Legend Has It had some excuses second-up and the extra furlong is a tick, although likely needs further again. Could be a big improver at a price ($26.00 @
betstar).
Race 5 - 3:00PM Bisley Workwear Handicap Tips (1800m)
Selections: 9,8,1,10.
9. PEEKAYS LEGACY got the job done third-up for us at decent odds and against the likes of Rousseau again, this isn't all that much harder. Recording back-to-back victories last campaign on soft ground, which he does prefer, strips fitter again and stays down in the weights. Well placed.
8. Dhakuri is a big, strapping Godolphin galloper that I've always had a bit of time for. Was plodding along before bouncing back in style last start and is more than capable here.
1. Zegalo comes back from a BM88 runner-up to Lightning Jack, which is easily the best recent form in this race. In well to a BM78 with 56.5kg after the claim.
10. Niffler has some questionable form lines, but all you can do is win and she's unbeaten from three. The fav is down on the minimum this Sunday.
Race 6 - 3:35PM Fujitsu General Handicap Tips (1200m)
Selections: 2,8,5,1.
2. STEEL DIAMOND joined the Waller stable last campaign, where she was terrific fresh behind Gravina, who won like Phar Lap the start prior when defeating Tycoonist. She never progressed, but the recent trial was sound and is certainly up to a mares BM78, albeit this is a very open event.
8. Lady Of Luxury is flying this prep, recording three wins and her worst result was a last start fourth, when flashing home late. Much better suited back up in distance on Boxing Day.
5. Kibosh may still be a run short, as she's more effective at 1500m-1600m, but can improve off the Canterbury return where fitness gave out late with 59.5kg.
1. Selburose is starting to find her ceiling, although had excuses on November 20 when missing the start as a beaten fav. This is similar.
Race 7 - 4:10PM Schweppes Summer Cup Tips (2000m)
Selections: 3,7,9,4.
3. STOCKMAN put the writing on the wall with a slashing effort in the Festival Stakes behind Ellsberg and while he was very solid again in The Villiers, he was looking for 2000m there, which appears to be his right trip. Wetter the better for Stockman, who has a good platform for the Summer Cup.
7. Criaderas recorded the fastest last 600m of that Villiers and after a plain fresh effort, has steadily improved with each outing. First time at 2000m, but on breeding it's fine.
9. Lightning Jack dodged that Group 2 and instead won a BM88 at 20/1 on stable debut for Annabel Neasham. Obviously tougher here, but he has upside.
4. Attorney should've finished much closer in The Villiers, receiving interference with 100m to go. 2000m suits and isn't the worst at longer odds ($15.00 @
TAB).
Race 8 - 4:50PM Hyland Race Colours Handicap Tips (1200m)
Selections: 7,9,4,2.
7. TAMERLANE has always shown ability and culminating his last prep with a win, followed by a third to More Prophets (subsequent listed winner), this needs to be the campaign where he goes on with it. The December 4 return was excellent at Rosehill and Randwick should be more suitable.
9. Super Effort produced an end of prep run on September 18, but hadn't finished outside the top two in four prior showings and handles any conditions. Lead-up trial was good.
4. Ranges sat wide and recorded a tough first-up win. They were too negative on him second-up, but a senior hoop now on and gate four, he'll get more favours.
2. Shadow Crush was underdone first-up on a Heavy 10 and backs up off an even performance behind Tycoonist. Down in grade to a BM78 is a plus.
Race 9 - 5:30PM Chandon Garden Spritz Handicap Tips (1400m)
Selections: 6,5,1,3.
6. BLESK is racing consistently and while he's drawn out under Bowman, they were likely heading back irrespective. Ran into a handy Brookspire last start and that winner had every favour, while the blinkers have now been applied. This looks very winnable, providing they're able to make ground.
5. Snippy Fox has gone back-to-back to and maps for the run of the race, just in behind a good speed. The 6kg weight rise for coming out of a mare's race is signficant, though.
1. Two Big Fari can improve second-up and to 1400m, with the trials suggesting he'd need that December 4 outing. The winkers go back on, just doesn't want it heavy.
3. Southern Lights makes his Australian debut, a group performed import and I quite liked the last of his trials, albeit it indicated he'd prosper over further.
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Race 10 - 6:10PM Heineken 3 Handicap Tips (1600m)
Selections: 11,21,2,9.
11. REMUS comes out of a Midway, which is the main query, but I've had some opinion of this four-year-old and while he's always been a little lazy at the trials, from those heats he needed racing. His work through the line second-up was good and in a very open race, can give cheek at a huge price.
21. Otyrar was heavily supported in his Australian debut when getting home behind Solar Apex and this isn't any harder. Just staying at 1600m off that effort was the knock.
2. Waihaha Falls is the one Bowman sticks with, a lightly raced type that bounced off a good fresh run to nail Francesco Guardi, who franked that form last week.
9. El Parmy went from a maiden to a Class 1 victory and plummets in the weights for the hat-trick tilt. Magic Millions bound if he salutes on Sunday.