Chris Scholtz previews the Missile Stakes meeting at Randwick on August 9 with best bets and selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

RANDWICK August 9

Best Bets

RACE 4 - (5) AMREEKIYAH: Progressive Justify mare kept her unbeaten record intact with a classy first-up win over 1250m at Canterbury, posting impressive figures coming wide from off the pace and surging to the line on a Soft 7 under 61kg on a day when the track favoured leaders. That was her first try on affected ground and gives you confidence she can continue her rise with 4kg less.

RACE 5 - (4) WORLD ALLIANCE: Form has been first class in this class on his favoured soft ground, including a storming win over 1100m at Canterbury in June and a luckless last start second over 1100m at this course two weeks ago when he lost his momentum at a vital stage. He's sure to be strong in the conditions with new rider James McDonald certain to let the speedsters run and save him for his trademark late sprint.

RACE 9 – (16) SALTCOATS: Excellent conditioning efforts in stakes races since resuming have this former Kiwi primed to step up to his right distance. Posted back to back Randwick wins over 1800m and 2000m last December and will relish the return to this course after his last start third in the Winter Challenge over 1500m at Rosehill where he was ridden patiently before closing off strongly through the line. Recorded his only NZ win in Listed company on a Heavy 10!

Selections

RACE 1: (5) RANTAN; (3) Mal Coupe; (6) Apache Breeze; (13) Stratafy

RACE 2: (4) CAMBAR; (1) Duke Of Bronte; (3) Exit Fee; (13) Nation Changing

RACE 3: (3) USEAPIN; (2) Regimental Colours; (1) Dollar Magic; (4) African Daisy

RACE 4: (5) AMREEKIYAH; (1) Stardeel; (2) Axius; (7) Pretty Powerful

RACE 5: (4) WORLD ALLIANCE; (8) Bundeena; (5) Hi Dubai; (6) Bonita Queen

RACE 6: (10) INVESTMENT; (2) Knights Armour; (9) Philpsburg; (14) Elle Hudson

RACE 7: (12) THEBLADE; (2) Kerguelen; (5) Iron Man; (7) Sessions Road

RACE 8: (4) GENERAL SALUTE; (5) Brudenell; (2) Robusto; (6) With Your Blessing  

RACE 9: (16) SALTCOATS; (13) Royal Supremacy; (12) Glory Daze; (2) Adelaide River

RACE 10: (12) MORNINGTON PIER; (6) Glad You Think So; (11) Kapakiri; (5) Nana's Wish

Why They Can Win….

RACE 1 – (5) RANTAN: Going well enough, just needs the right breaks in running.

RACE 2 – (4) CAMBAR: Top Wagga stable has been patient. Good trials have him primed.

RACE 3 – (3) USEAPIN: Had excuses last Saturday after strong win in this class. Hard fit on the quick back up.

RACE 6 – (10) INVESTMENT: Loved the wet here last time. Fitter for it and this trip is no issue.

RACE 7 – (12) THEBLADE: Returns as a gelding. Trial win suggests we'll now see the best of him.

RACE 8 – (4) GENERAL SALUTE: At his best when fresh. Won't be troubled by the conditions.       

RACE 10 – (12) MORNINGTON PIER: Coming through the classes with strong wins on winter tracks. Good value.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – August 7-9

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Still Alice (R1); Bonita Queen (R5); Theblade (R7); Silvanito (R7); Encap (R8); Brudenell (R8); Adelaide River (R9); Salt Lake City (R9)

MOONEE VALLEY SATURDAY: Boston Rocks (R4)   

NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Balmain Darling (R1); Outer Banks (R2); Decorum (R2)

HAWKESBURY TUESDAY: Call Me Mojo (R1); Ohope (R2); Balmain Darling (R2); Banknote Hustler (R2); Tuscany (R2); Call Me Sassy (R2); Clear Blue Day (R2); Golden Century (R4)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Barbarossa; Slinky; Ravenclaw, The Novelist; Johnny; Nashville Jack; Kerber; Skyglider; Amreekiyah; King Of Roseau; Valilee; Custom; Grand Prairie; Southern Heiress; Straand Beauty; Nazwah; Caesar; Infusion; Bev's Nine; Romeo's Choice; Rockbarton Max; Efharisto; Getafix; Axius; Raging Force; Mirai San; Dunleary

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL July 29: THEBLADE, a lightly raced rising 4YO, made a strong start to his prep in his first trial since February, working keenly from start to finish for a soft win by 3.5 lengths in his 900m heat (54.39; 33.96) with the feature being his quick closing sectionals. Sure to be well placed by his astute stable. TUSCANY (62.48; 35.26) did all that was required to win his 1030m heat on the inside grass in good style. Other rising 3YOs worthy of attention after good trials included the 900m heat winner OHOPE (55.52; 35.41)   

WARWICK FARM July 25:. In the black type heat over 1000m ENCAP took the trail and railed through when the leader shifted wide. Sprinted home for a soft win (59.67; 34.61) with POINT TO SHOOT holding his ground to finish third. In the 900m heat for the Group horses fast mare BONITA QUEEN ran away with the trial, leading by a big space on the turn and doing it easily to the line. 2YOs to impress included the heat winners OUTER BANKS and BANKNOTE HUSTLER, the latter working strongly for a comfortable win in his 819m heat (48.53; 34.01).

GOSFORD July 23: It was a good session for the Lees stable with the import ADELAIDE RIVER and smart sprinter BRUDENELL showing their class with easy wins in their heats. With James McDonald on board (a rare appearance at provincial trials) ADELAIDE RIVER tracked up behind the leaders and went home nicely to beat SALT LAKE CITY in his 1200m heat 72.58; 35.96) while BRUDENELL rounded up the leaders on the turn in his 1000m heat (59.58; 35.00) and cruised away for a soft win by almost three lengths.

RANDWICK July 22: Kiwi trainer Tony Pike brought rising Pierro 4YO GOLDEN CENTURY for the autumn after five placings from seven starts including a third in the NZ Derby. Kicked off for his new trainer Chris Waller with an eye catching fourth in his 1045m heat, making up lengths under a hold and working through the line with real purpose. You can follow his spring progress with confidence.

ROSEHILL July 15: Plenty to like about the 900m heat win by CLEAR BLUE DAY (55.33; 35.04)

RANDWICK July 11: There were numerous good trials in the 2YO heats including DECORUM.  

WYONG June 16: ADELAIDE RIVER, an imported stayer in the Lees stable, trialled with purpose and looks set to improve on what he has displayed to date in a limited Australian career.

WARWICK FARM April 29: David Pfieffer won a sprint heat with CALL ME SASSY (790m – 48.49; 34.20) and should have her placed to advantage when she resumes

BLACKBOOK REPORT

BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – August 9-11

RANDWICK SATURDAY: General Salute (R8); Adelaide River (R9); Saltcoats (R9); Salt Lake City (R9); Lincoln Rocks (R10); Be Real (R10)

MOONEE VALLEY SATURDAY: Relentless Voyager (R7)

EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Boom Shot (R3); Bezerka (R3); Fioprospero (R5); Encoder (R7)

BELMONT PARK SATURDAY: Soldanelle (R6)

LISMORE MONDAY: Tryanza (R5); Sources Link (R6)

BLACKBOOKERS (Selected August 2 - Follow Next 3 Starts)

CAPTAIN FURAI; CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD; CONVERGENT; MONKHANA; RIVERINA POWER; SPANISH TREASURE;

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Crossbow; Useapin; Amusing; Robusto; Lead Me On; Mormona; Duchess Zou; Don Diego De Vega; Epic Proportions; Stay Silent; Fortunate Kiss; Sound It Out; Getafix; She's Unusual; Stylish; Terilee; Zaszou; Adiella; Shockletz; Oh Too Good; Splash Back, Salty Pearl; Bring Forth; Spione