Racing Preview – Sat 11 April

AJC Derby – Randwick
The Easter weekend is traditionally Derby weekend. The $1.6 million David Jones AJC Australian Derby over 2400 metres is a Group 1 set-weight race for three-year-olds and has attracted a field of 16 runners. The early betting is fairly open with Sousa as favourite at $4.20 ahead of Metal Bender at $5, Rock Kingdom at $7, Harris Tweed at $8.50 then Pre Eminence and Coniston Bluebird both at $12. 

Metal Bender beat Sousa by a half head last start in the Rosehill Guineas. Sousa has drawn barrier 1 while Metal Bender has drawn out in barrier 14. Coniston Bluebird won the NZ Derby over this distance, and Harris Tweed is a New Zealand horse with good form. Rock Kingdom has excellent form and is yet to be tried at the distance.

Jo’s tips: 1. Metal Bender, 2. Rock Kingdom, 3. Harris Tweed

The Galaxy – Randwick
The $350,000 Group 1 The Coffey Projects Galaxy over 1100 metres has attracted a full field of 16 runners plus 2 emergencies. With the early scratching of Bel Mer, Kiloton will get a run, but the in-form sprinter Fantene may not.

The early betting is wide open with Black Prince and Gamble Me sharing favouritism at $6.50, followed by Swiss Ace at $7 then Olonana, Hoystar and Nicconi all at $7.50. The rest are at double figure odds. Swiss Ace has won 10 of his 16 starts, including both at this distance, and is a top class sprinter. Hoystar is an honest performer who finished well for 2nd over 1000 metres at his last start, and Keen Commander has only been unplaced once in 11 starts at this distance and has won a trail since his disappointing first-up performance.

Jo’s tips: 1. Swiss Ace, 2. Hoystar, 3. Keen Commander

Easter Cup – Caulfield
The Group 3 $125,000 Le Pine Funerals Easter Cup over 2000 metres has attracted a field of 12 runners. The early market has Raffaello as $3.60 favourite ahead of Light Vision at $4.40 and Miss Maren at $5.50. Next is Renewable at $8, Just Look at $8.50 and Ista Kareem at $12.

Raffaello has won his last 2 starts and looks as if he will handle the step up in distance with no problems. Both Renewable and Ista Kareem have been performing well over longer distances, and Miss Maren has won her last 3 starts against her own sex. Just Look won his last start over 1950 metres.

Jo’s tips: 1. Raffaello, 2. Ista Kareem, 3. Miss Maren

Don’t forget the Oakbank races in South Australia and Easter Monday races at Randwick, Moonee Valley, Devonport and Eagle Farm