Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Golden Eagle and Victoria Derby meetings at Randwick and Flemington on November 1 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

FLEMINGTON November 1

Best Bets

RACE 1: (5) REGAL AWARD

RACE 2: (4) SHEZA ALIBI

For Value

RACE 3: (10) HEDGED

RACE 8: (6) LEICA LUCY

RACE 10: (13) SOFT LOVE

Selections

RACE 1: (5) REGAL AWARD; (1) Vinrock; (4) Call Da Vinci; (9) Panova

RACE 2: (4) SHEZA ALIBI; (9) Teine Aulelei; (6) Chatterley; (5) Live

RACE 3: (10) HEDGED; (5) Caballus; (8) Watchme Win; (2) Bosustow

RACE 4: (1) GETTA GOOD FEELING; (4) Prestige Snitzel; (7) Fashionable; (5) Strictly Business

RACE 5: (4) ZOU SENSATION; (14) Ndola; (13) King Zephyr; (6) Warnie

RACE 6: (10) BEADMAN; (1) Beiwacht; (3) Tentyris; (9) Legacy Bound

RACE 7: (1) OBSERVER; (6) Providence; (9) O'Sheamus; (5) Options

RACE 8: (6) LEICA LUCY; (5) Benagil; (2) Fangirl; (4) Damask Rose  

RACE 9: (13) SOFT LOVE; (10) New York Lustre; (2) Arabian Summer; (5) Stretan Angel

ROSEHILL October 29

$10 million GOLDEN EAGLE (1500m)

(12) PANJA TOWER: We have learned to give the highest respect to top class Japanese form and that must apply to this crack sprinter/miler who was a G1 winner of the NHK Mile in world class time (1.31.70) in May when having only his fifth career start. Prepped for his Sydney trip with a classy first-up win in a G3 sprint over 1200m (1.08.20) in August when he again produced a devastating sprint from back in the field on his preferred firm surface. If he brings that form this field will find it hard to match his closing speed.

(3) LINEBACKER: High class 4YO with a big liking for Randwick. He won the G1 Randwick Guineas over 1600m last season and was a class above his rivals when he resumed with an easy win under 58.5kg in the Silver Eagle (1300m) two weeks ago after sitting deep from a wide barrier. Can rise to a new peak in this target race as he will get every chance from a favourable gate.

(14) AUTUMN GLOW: Has met every challenge in seven starts, maintaining her unbeaten record with a dominant win in the G1 Epsom over 1600m at this course on October 4 when given a perfect ride. Followed up with a soft trial to offset the month between runs. She has faultless race manners and rates as the horse to beat but her short odds are risky as she is going to come under far greater pressure in this stronger field.

(1) EVAPORATE: Won the G3 Carbine Club over 1600m at this course in April and returns off strong Melbourne form under big weights that has been franked by Transatlantic's subsequent Randwick win last week. He beat Transatlantic at Sandown before that result was reversed in the G1 Toorak at Caulfield, performances that rate on a par with the local form. Another with a favourable draw to get every chance.

(5) WILLYDOIT: Last season's NZ Derby winner before his fourth in the Randwick equivalent in April. Gets to this third up for his new trainer Ciaron Maher and is primed for improvement with the important addition of blinkers to his gear. Randwick suits and it's worth noting he won three races over 1400m and 1600m on his way to his Derby win last season.

(6) FULLY LIT, (8) LORD PENMAN and (15) PERFUMIST for extended exotics.

Best Bets

RACE 1 – (3) ROTAGILLA: Went for a break in June off a strong win over 1600m at this course and was unlucky not to return as a winner after a luckless fourth over 1400m at Warwick Farm on October 15. He was quickly building momentum from last when he was badly blocked with no room to move over the last 200m. Drops 4kg off that run and will appreciate returning to Randwick where he has a strong record.

RACE 6 – (8) ISTOLEA MERC: Came off some sharp trials to outclass a BM72 field over 1100m at Warwick Farm on October 6 for his fourth win in only eight starts. It was a strong ratings performance under 59.5kg in fast time and augers well for his potential to rise in class. With James McDonald his new rider it's no surprise that he has attracted heavy support.

RACE 9 – (6) WOOTTON VERNI: Landed here as a Group winner of five races up to 2100m in France but took his time to adapt to our conditions before putting it all together last time with a dominant win in the G3 Coongy over 2000m at Caulfield. Remains nicely weighted and drawn to be given the run of the race by McDonald.

Selections

RACE 1: (3) ROTAGILLA; (4) Strawberry Impact; (6) Horizons; (5) Chicama

RACE 2: (13) WARPAINTED; (15) Fan Harder; (11) Pharoahzano; (6) Big Opinion

RACE 3: (5) RUBI'S SERVE; (4) Jellicious; (8) Transcend; (3) Editing

RACE 4: (10) VETWELVE; (1) Meridiana; (3) Broadway Bouncer; (9) Sonofdec

RACE 5: (12) UNITED KINGDOM; (1) Glad You Think So; (2) Sun God; (6) Black Run

RACE 6: (8) ISTOLEA MERC; (3) Mogul Monarch; (1) Brave One; (4) Memoria

RACE 7: (2) JIMMYSSTAR; (1) Briasa; (12) Lady Shenandoah; (4) Private Eye

RACE 8: (12) PANJA TOWER; (3) Linebacker; (14) Autumn Glow; (1) Evaporate; (5) WIllydoit;

RACE 9: (6) WOOTTON VERNI; (4) Maison Louis; (8) Redstone Well; (10) Imperialist

 RACE 10: (6) BARTOLF; (7) Golden Straand; (8) Polyglot; (12) Verbil

Why They Can Win….

RACE 2 – (13) WARPAINTED: Rates well off his Impressive first-up win. Subsequent trial suggests he can go on with it.

RACE 3 – (5) RUBI'S SERVE: Dominant win under 59kg when resuming. Conditions suit with 4kg less.

RACE 4 – (10) VETWELVE: Model of consistency in this class. Well placed again with 3kg claim.

RACE 5 – (12) UNITED KINGDOM: Found his form with a strong Rosehill win. Good set up for a repeat     

RACE 7 – (2) JIMMYSSTAR: His tough third in the Everest is the right form. Favourably drawn this time.

RACE 8 – (12) PANJA TOWER: Top shelf sprinter/miler. Has a lethal sprint that will test this field.

RACE 10 – (6) BARTOLF: Overwhelmed them from last at Warwick Farm. Should appreciate these conditions.         

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – October 29

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Brave One (R6); Memoria (R6); Autumn Glow (R8); Fully Lit (R8); Matusalem (R9)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Beiwacht (R6)

NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Swordplay (R2); Chisholm (R2); Terra Lumina (R2); Soverato (R3); British Gem (R3/R4); John Dory (R4)

MUSWELLBROOK SUNDAY: British Gem (R4)

RANDWICK TUESDAY: Memoria (R3); Matusalem (R5); Bubba's Bay (R8); Zaszou (R8); Wondereach (R10)

KEMBLA GRANGE TUESDAY: Don't Doubt Darcy (R1); Swordplay (R1); Terra Lumina (R1); Lambertina (R4); Me Me (R4); Our Huntress (R4); Goldane (R5); Copacabana (R7) 

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Long Legs; Casserousse; Stefi Magnetica; Skyglider; Regal Problem; Mortal Halo; Spirit Of Wealth; Naifah; Frosty Girl; Straight Sets; Linebacker; Ka Ying Rising; Chalet; Sun God; Nitro; Margin Call; Taxation; Real Baker; Rubi's Serve; My Bella Vista; Lightning Glory; Zealously; Istolea Merc; Beechworth; Shiki; Hayek; Ripley; Marhoona

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL October 24: The free running WONDEREACH showed her usual speed to win his 900m heat (54.47; 33.73). COPACABANA won a Rosehill heat on October 13 and again performed with credit in his open heat over 900m while the 900m maiden heat winner DON'T DOUBT DARCY (53.55; 34.29) looks primed for a good showing.

HAWKESBURY October 21: Shalaa filly SWORDPLAY again produced impressive trial form to run away with her 1000m heat by almost five lengths (58.55; 33.42). She is unbeaten in four trials and should be picking up a maiden win in the near future. Her stablemate GOLDANE maintained her unbeaten record in races and trials with effortless work to lead and win the fastest 1000m heat (57.65; 33.14) by almost four lengths. She won her only race start at Newcastle in January and looks poised to rise quickly through the classes.

RANDWICK October 20: All eyes on a classy open heat featuring the unbeaten AUTUMN GLOW. After her Epsom Handicap win she was given an easy time finishing fourth in a her open heat overt 1050m won by her Epsom rival FULLY LIT (64.04; 34.29) as both prepare for return bout in the Golden Eagle. FULLY LIT looked strong sitting three wide about two lengths off the lead for the first 600m before making his move to take the upper hand turning for home and running freely to the line under an easy ride. AUTUMN GLOW tucked away behind them and there was no intent for her to do any more than go through her work, finishing 2.5 lengths from the winner.

WARWICK FARM October 17: I Am Invincible filly CHISHOLM was placed in her two interstate starts behind classy winners in Adelaide and Melbourne last season and showed here she has the obvious talent to win races. Pulled her way to an easy four lengths lead after 200m and was hard held through her 801m heat to win with plenty in hand (47.05; 33.64).

ROSEHILL October 13: Exciting 3YO BEIWACHT went through the motions to win his open heat over 1030m. He was quickly on the bunny and wasn't under pressure to maintain his advantage to the line, holding a good effort from the G1 winner Stefi Magnetica in the quickest of the three heats over the distance (61.68; 34.54).

RANDWICK October 7: Promising Shalaa filly SWORDPLAY was beaten as favourite on debut at Warwick Farm in June but she remains unbeaten in three trials with her work to win the fastest 740m heat (43.86; 33.29) another example of her obvious talent. She was held back to her rivals through the first half of the trial and did it easily to over the last 200m to win by a comfortable margin.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – November 1

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Jimmysstar (R7); Airman (R7); Lady Shenandoah (R7); Feroce (R8); WIllydoit (R8); Depth Of Character (R8); Churchill's Choice (R9)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Call Da Vinci (R1); Chatterley (R2); Teine Aulelei (R2); Caballus (R3); Bosustow (R3); Steparty (R5); Beadman (R6); Arabian Prince (R7); Damask Rose (R8); Leica Lucy (R8); Arabian Summer (R9); Generosity (R9)

FLEMINGTON TUESDAY: Arabian Prince (R3); Bold Secret (R4); Unspoken (R6); Real Class (R6); Coco Jamboo (R9); Sir Artie (R10); Sabaj (R10)

RANDWICK TUESDAY: Chidiac (R6); Grebeni (R7); Beauty Charge (R8); Sir Artie (R9) 

BLACKBOOKERS (Selected October 25- Follow Next 3 Starts)

BAUHINIA; MOTOSCAFO; RHUVAAL; TEINE AULELEI

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Observer; Chergui; Half Yours; Ole Dancer; Tentyris; Clear Thinking; Point Barrow; Disneck; Navy Pilot; Federer; Gala Queen; Gilded Water; Half Yours; Reflect; Pareto; Zelgaria; My Gladiola; Desert Lightning; Apocalyptic; Changingoftheguard; Bunker Hut; Show Em Howl; Bullion Boy; Monkhana