RACE DAY – Champions Day Selections with Chris Scholtz

CHAMPIONS SPRINT

(7) IN SECRET: Unbeaten on this straight course in top rating G1 races. Luckless in The Everest and excellent trial since.

(8) IMPERATRIZ: Flying around The Valley with big ratings against small fields. Can’t fault her form.

(6) BELLA NIPOTINA: Left Sydney’s best without excuses at Rosehill last week. Tough mare can cope with the quick backup.

(4) STAR PATROL: Not many go faster down the straight course. Sure to race boldly.

CHAMPIONS MILE

(6) FANGIRL: Outstanding Randwick win over Mr Brightside before luckless in the Cox Plate. Won only start this course, best on top of the ground.

(2) MR BRIGHTSIDE: No answer to Fangirl at Randwick then missed by a lip in the Cox Plate. Expect another smart tactical ride.

(2) ALLIGATOR BLOOD: Gallant third in the Cox Plate. Suited back to 1600m.

(7) PRIDE OF JENNI: Too fast for her own sex over this trip last Saturday. Sure to make them chase from the 600m.

CHAMPIONS STAKES

(9) DUAIS: Never got a crack at them in the Cox Plate. Her Australian Cup win over this course tells you Flemington suits her style.

(11) PROWESS: New to Flemington but unbeaten over this distance. Expecting strong improvement off her Moonee Valley win.

(4) WEST WIND BLOWS: Excellent placings in the right races. Running up to his best UK form but needs to be sharp coming back from 2400m.

(1) ZAAKI: Going for three straight in this race. Expect improvement on his Cox Plate effort.

Best Bets

RACE 4: (9) MURASAMA – Rising quickly through the ranks. Strong Caulfield win sets him up for this trip. 

RACE 6: (7) IN SECRET – No luck in the best sprints this prep. Excels over this course.

For Value

RACE 8: (9) DUAIS – Never got a crack in the Cox Plate. Ready to run to a new peak. 

RACE 9: (9) KIN – Easy Sydney trial took the eye. Well placed to sprint strongly fresh. 

Selections

RACE 1: (6) VON HAUKE; (9) Watadeel; (2) Japanese Emperor; (7) Sequestered

RACE 2: (2) IT’SOURTIME; (5) Parisal; (4) General Beau; (6) Po Kare Kare

RACE 3: (6) SCHWARZ; (7) Quickster 2; (9) Miss Aria 3; (4) Treasurway

RACE 4: (9) MURAMASA; (5) Amade; (13) Taramansour; (4) Luncies

RACE 5: (5) THALASSOPHILE; (8) Pearl Of Alsace; (1) Mustang Valley; (7) Papillon Club

RACE 6: (7) IN SECRET; (8) Imperatriz; (6) Bella Nipotina; (4) Star Patrol

RACE 7: (6) FANGIRL; (1) Mr Brightside; (2) Alligator Blood; (7) Pride Of Jenni

RACE 8: (9) DUAIS; (11) Prowess; (4) West Wind Blows; (1) Zaaki

RACE 9: (9) KIN; (7) Bews; (12) Prairie Flower; (13) Mornington Glory      

ROSEHILL November 11

Best Bets

RACE 3: (3) SPIRIT QUEEN: Former Queenslander impressed in her first start for new stable with her late drive to miss by a nose when second over 1000m on the Kensington at Randwick. She built a consistent record up north and under the training of Maher and Eustace is sure to make improvement. Can sit hard on the back of expected fast pace from her good draw and will be strong late.

RACE 5: (11) SUMO STAR: Happy to gamble on this robust gelding first-up on the strength of his trial form. Just the one win in 12 starts but has racked up a lot of minor placings in good form races and the way he trucked to the line after a wide run to win his recent Warwick Farm trial indicates he is set for a good campaign. Should get every chance from the rails draw.

RACE 8 (16) FAWKNER PARK: Warmed up for this feature target with an eye catching first-up fifth in the Prelude over 1500m at Randwick where he was the best closer from off the pace. He won second up over 2040m when last in work and has the form on the board at this course with two wins up to 2400m and a placing over this distance. Should be strong late in a high pressure race.

Selections

RACE 1: (1) TOURISTIC; (6) First Light; (5) Spitfire; (9) Rise To It

RACE 2: (6) SPEYCASTER; (1) Caboche; (9) Twigman; (5) Father’s Day

RACE 3: (3) SPIRIT QUEEN; (1) Miss Hellfire; (5) Eagle Nest; (2) Dollar Magic

RACE 4: (11) MONTE OUTLANDER; (7) Bantarki; (9) Dream Inherit; (10) Bandasha

RACE 5: (11) SUMO STAR; (12) Shadows Of Love; (1) Flying Destiny; (2) Poseidon Ruler

RACE 6: (4) CALL DI; (1) Royal Merchant; (2) Roots; (5) Dalchini

RACE 7: (5) VOLATILE; (1) Shangri La Express; (13) Betta Being Single; (4) Scampi

RACE 8: (16) FAWKNER PARK; (11) Detonator Jack; (3) Antino; (7) Democracy Manifest

RACE 9: (2) ATMOSPHERE; (6) Mars Mission; (1) Gringotts; (5) Felix Majestic

RACE 10: (4) PLUNDERING; (3) With Your Blessing; (5) Contemporary; (10) Gustosisimo

Why The Can Win….

RACE 1: (1) TOURISTIC – He’s better than these at his best. Gamble that he’s ready for 1800m second up.

RACE 2: (6) SPEYCASTER – Finding his legs as a stayer. Strong late last time and suited by return to home track.

RACE 4: (11) MONTE OUTLANDER – Good value in an open Highway. Nice draw and will enjoy weight relief from easy last start win.

RACE 6: (4) CALL DI – Fit mare back home from luckless Melbourne placing. Nash Rawiller can dictate the tactics.

RACE 7: (5) VOLATILE – Impressive trial before he was hampered by traffic in race debut. Expect improvement.

RACE 9: (2) ATMOSPHERE – Had excuses when close fourth second up. Group performer well placed to run to his best.

RACE 10: (4) PLUNDERING – Model of consistency when last in work. Strong trials have him ready for a winning return. 

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – November 11

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: In Secret (R6); Kin (R9)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Miss Hellfire (R3); Sumo Star (R5); Scampi (R7); Plundering (R10)

WYONG SATURDAY: Winning Run (R4); Satin And Silk (R7)

GOULBURN SATURDAY: Northumbria (R6)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Hard To Say; Quick Tempo; The Hawkesbury; Intervarsity; Way To The Stars; I’mintowin; Sharkim; Watch My Girl; Storm The Ramparts; Trapeze Pleasure; World Alliance; Chrysaor; Mumbai Muse; Yankee One; Estephania; Gai’s Artist; Kazou; Shangri La Express; Influential; Up To Mischief; Dream Hour; Luton Hoo; I Am Me; Just In Time; Need Some Luck 

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM October 23: NORTHUMBRIA had his second trial for his new trainer Richard Litt since leaving the Godolphin yard and he looks ready to perform well fresh after a strong win in the fastest of the three heats over 809m (47.63; 33.42); Travelled easily in second place and was only asked to extend from the 100m, easily picking up the leader with authority. SUMO STAR posted an Impressive win in the fastest of four heats over 812m (47.39; 33.04), settling off the pace while travelling easily three and four wide before surging past the leaders with strong work over the last 200m. Looks capable of rising through the classes.

RANDWICK October 20: A nice effort from MISS HELLFIRE taking the eye with her closing second in the fastest heat over 1045m won by subsequent impressive winner I’mintowin.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – November 9-11

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Schwarz (R3); Thalassophile (R5); In Secret (R6); West Wind Blows (R8); Mister Yu Shu (R9)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Call Di (R6); Russian Conquest (R6); Democracy Manifest (R8); Fawkner Park (R8)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Sabalenka (R7)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: I’ve Bean Tryin’; Storm The Ramparts; Without A Fight; Stroke Of Luck; Crackerjack Prince; Pesto; Sharp Shock; Attrition; Territory Express; Magic Time; Queen Of Dragons; Foujita San; Airman; Vienna Princess; First Immortal; Espiona; Archo Nacho; Satness; Wolfy; Unspoken; Recommendation; Snapback; Devoted

BLACKBOOKERS – Selected November 4/7

(Follow for next 3 starts)

BERMADEZ; CROSSHAVEN; FOXY CLEOPATRA; HEMAN; LEANDRA; MUNHAMEK; MY BELLA MAE; SHOCK EM OVA; WAR GEM