Christmas Eve comes up on a Saturday this year so we’ll be racing at Randwick for back-to-back meetings with the annual Boxing Day meeting on Monday. Looking forward to a quality meeting here with a few exciting and competitive races scattered throughout the meeting.
Blake Lalor previews the action and provides his best bets for Randwick below!
Randwick Racing Tips - Saturday December 24th 2022
Race 1
(5) Platinum Jubilee has seen her form from her debut win in the Gimcrack Stakes franked after Divine Glory was able to win a Warwick Farm maiden shortly afterwards. Although that’s not strong form, no winners or strong performances have come out of Empire Of Japan’s debut win with Mach Ten recently failing in the Wyong 2yo MM Classic.
(1) Empire Of Japan is obviously the clear danger as the two horses dominate most of the market and are almost sharing favouritism. He’s produced almost identical results through races and trials as Platinum Jubilee so this will be an interesting comparison.
(2) Godfather won on debut in qld and makes the trip south to contest this race. He was a short price on debut, won well and is well-bred indicating he may be able to threaten in this race particularly with his early speed and tactical advantage over the two favourites.
(5) Platinum Jubilee
$2.60 (2 units)
Race 7
(10) Mahagoni is a better horse than Democracy Manifest and has been contesting stronger races. He came out of the Four Pillars which has thrown up a seemingly endless amount of winning form and was too far back to win behind Nugget and Steely last time. Wins this.
(6) Democracy Manifest will be the one to capitalise on any errors or bad luck from Zac Lloyd and Mahagoni. He’s flying lately and will undoubtedly put in another solid performance. The extra 200m shouldn’t be a worry but he’s untested over the mile so slightly cautious.
(2) Jojo Was A Man is talented enough to figure in the finish of this race. It’s unlikely he wins it but he could be one for exotics.
(10) Mahagoni E/W
$6.00/$1.90 (2 units e/w)
Race 8
(8) Vienna Princess finally showed us what she could do last time in a Listed Race at Caulfield. She’s a highly capable filly who’s drawn well in this event. I have my reservations with Ben Coen but I trust the ability of the horse and expect a solid performance at a great price.
(14) Sunshine In Paris ran well up in Queensland without much room to move. She won on debut prior to that and looks immensely talented. Gate 10 with an apprentice jockey isn’t a very appealing setup so I’m not backing her but it would be no surprise to see her win this.
(2) Kir Royale gets the services of James Mcdonald this time from a better barrier draw in gate 5. The horse went well 1st up with a less ideal setup so should be expected to go close this time.
(8) Vienna Princess E/W
$14/$3.80 (0.5 units e/w)
Race 9
(11) Robusto is drawn perfectly for James Mcdonald with the rail out 9m here. He’ll get a suck run down on the rail and be ready to pounce late if the gaps open up. He was unlucky last time behind a wall of horses but was in stellar form prior. Can bounce back here.
(12) Green Shadows was the toss up for me with Robusto but is drawn less ideally in gate 9. With the rail out so far he might have a task ahead of him if he’s unable to get close enough to the rail early on.
(9) Kanazawa was strong when 3rd behind Democracy Manifest last time. Not sure that’s the best form here so I’m hesitant to back this horse as a favourite but there’s no doubt in my mind he’s one of the mains chances.
(11) Robusto E/W
$5.5/$2.00 (1 unit e/w)
