Racing Preview – Sat 8 August

San Domenico Stakes – Randwick
Randwick has an 8 race program at Rosehill and the main race is the Group 3 $125,000 San Domenico Stakes for three-year-olds. The 1000 metres race has a field of 11 and is set weights plus penalties with a minimum weight of 52kg. Trainer David Payne feels this is too low as most experienced jockeys ride at 53kg and up.

The early market has Kiss Me Katy as favourite at $4.20, and the speedy grey filly from Queensland has 4 wins and a second from her 5 starts. Next in the market is Winter King at $5.50, Shellscrape at $6, Purdey and Sunday Rose both at $6.50 then Cortina Gal and Sniplaz both at $9.

Jo’s tips: 1. Kiss Me Katy, 2. Shellscrape, 3. Winter King

Aurie’s Star – Flemington
The main race at Flemington is the Listed $150,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap over 1200 metres. There is a field of 9 and the early favourite is Gran Sasso at $2.40 ahead of Mic Mac at $2.70. Next in the market is Grand Duels at $4.50, All American and El Segundo both at $12 and Rios at $15.

The topweight, resuming from a spell, is El Segundo with 63.5kg, which is 6.5kg more than any other horse in the field. It is his fourth start in this race, and he came second in 2006. With that weight he is unlikely to win. Gran Sasso and Mic Mac should quinella the race. Rios is having his first start for Danny O’Brien.

Jo’s tips: 1. Mic Mac, 2. Gran Sasso, 3. Rios

Brand & Slater Handicap – Eagle Farm
A field of 10 will go round in the $50,000 Brand & Slater Open Handicap over 1000 metres. The favourite in the early market is Borsha’s Mark at $3 following his third last week behind Albert The Fat and he has a good strike rate at this track.

Next in the early market are Acorns and Monashee Dancer both at $4, Kelly at $6.50, Sequallan at $9, Braebrook at $10 and Falco Star at $14. Monashee Dancer has won his last 2 and looks an honest horse who should run well again. Sequallan runs his best races over this distance.

Jo’s tips: 1. Borsha’s Mark, 2. Monashee Dancer, 3. Sequallan