Racing Preview – Sat 3 Oct

Epsom Handicap– Randwick
Spring racing really takes off in Sydney this Saturday with a 10 event programme with four Group 1s, two Group 2s, a Group 3 and three Listed races. The Group 1 $350,000 Arrowfield Stud Epsom Handicap is a 1600 metre race for three-year-olds and over and has a field of 15 runners. Triple Honour has topweight of 57kg, Strat’s Flyer has 56kg and the rest all carry 54kg.

The favourite in the early market is Rangirangdoo at $3.20, followed by Drumbeats at $4.80, Road To Rock at $5.50, O’Lonhro at $7.50, Rock Kingdom at $13 then Triple Honour and Strat’s Flyer both at $14. Rangirangdoo has never been out of a place and has 5 starts at Randwick for 3 wins and 2 placings. Strat’s Flyer is a very consistent horse and Drumbeats beat Rangirangdoo last start but meets him 2kg worse at the weights.

Jo’s tips: 1. Rangirangdoo, 2. Strat’s Flyer, 3. Drumbeats

The Metropolitan – Randwick
The Group 1 $350,000 The Metropolitan is a race for three-year-olds and upwards over 2400 metres. There is a field of 18 runners and 4 of them are by Zabeel. Only 3 runners are under double-figures in the early market. Speed Gifted is $3.40 favourite followed by Ready To Lift at $5 and Mr Clangtastic at $6.50.

Next in the market is Hume at $12, Bellagio Wynn at $13, Lodge The Deeds at $14, Six O’Clock News at $17 and Streetfighter at $18. Last year’s winner Newport is at $35. Mr Clangtastic has won 5 in a row and it is hard to go past winning form. Ready To Lift is a tough mare who wound up strongly last start to win over 2000 metres and loves the 2400m. Newport starts his races badly but does have lots of ability.

Jo’s tips: 1. Mr Clangtastic, 2. Ready To Lift, 3. Newport

Turnbull Stakes – Flemington
Flemington has a 9 race programme with a Group 1, three Group 2 and 5 Listed races.
The Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes over 2000 metres is a set weights plus penalties race for four-year-olds and upwards, and is packed full of Melbourne Cup hopefuls. It is fitting that the race record is held by Makybe Diva.

The early favourite is Vigor at $4.50 followed by Predatory Pricer at $5, Maldivian at $5.50, Red Ruler at $8, Roman Emperor and El Segundo at $9.50 and Master O’Reilly at $13. Vigor saves his best for this track with 5 wins and a second from 6 starts here. There are excuses for his performance in the Underwood. Maldivian excels at this distance. Red Lord ($23) has improved at each run this campaign and won the Naturalism last start.

Jo’s tips: 1. Vigor, 2. Maldivian, 3. Red Lord