Scratchings put a dent in our preview last Saturday but the 3yo colt, Lord Of The Sky, showed his class when winning in good fashion in the first at Caulfield.

In Western Australia, a Trial File favourite and another 3yo IHTSAHYMN got the job done in the Kingston Town, completing the WA Guineas double. This was an extra special result for us as we recommended backing him in both events several weeks ago in our pre-post preview at longer prices.

ASCOT Race 8 – 3yo+ Handicap (1200m)

We would for that last of the day to get a taste for some action from the West today. As so often the case in the ‘Get Out Stakes’ it is a wide open field with plenty of value, hopefully we can steer you into one at good odds.

Front running mare 4 RUSTY PEACHES departed from her customary pace making role last time and settled just forward of midfield. She should return to her usual pattern today and take up the pace given the lack of other genuine leaders. Given a cheap lead, she can roll along and prove hard to catch.

There are two horses returning from this year’s WA Derby back in April, being 3 WESTERN BLAZE and 9 TRADING DAY. Both have trialled in the lead up to this and both ran good races over 1400m and 1500m in their 3yo seasons. We dare say they both may want it a bit further than the 1200m but look for them both to be running on late.

8 STAR MAK has been a revelation this campaign after coming back from injury. He has put together three wins in a line and looks a good chance of making it a picket fence today. He will race on speed and give himself every chance, especially with the claim for Aaron Mitchell taking him down to 55.5kg. He will prove hard to run down.

For all the ability he has shown 13 SOVEREIGN DEBT still hasn’t won since coming to WA, but he has run some slashing races. He seems to be his own worst enemy as even when he draws a good barrier he seems to bungle the start and flash home late. He might always be a ‘back me next time’ horse without ever getting the job done.

For those of us that were on 16 NEXT CONTESTANT first up, we know what a good thing beaten he was. That was in a Pinjarra maiden and today is clearly a massive step up in grade but he has a huge amount of ability. If he had drawn a middle  barrier we would be extremely confident, however we are just slightly concerned he could get into an ugly position like last time from barrier 2. With luck, he is hard to beat.

While we are hoping for a bit of luck, we are happy to suggest an each way play on 16 NEXT CONTESTANT at a decent each way price. 8 STAR MAK has been a revelation this preparation and looks hard to beat, while 4 RUSTY PEACHES can roll along in front and pinch a break. 13 SOVEREIGN DEBT will get some luck one day and win one of these races.

KENSINGTON Race 8 – LISTED Razor Sharp Handicap (1150m)

A great race to end the day at Randwick Kensington and 8 of the field of 14 (emergencies included) come through the Listed Starlight Stakes previewed for The New Daily exactly a fortnight ago. As expected, 1 ZARATONE led on that occasion and no doubt will do so again here. He will set a genuine tempo as he always does.

In that Starlight Stakes we recommended an each way play on our blackbooker 8 MASTER HARRY at massive odds (around $50) after a very good trial leading in. As expected, he ran much better than the market rated him, but broke the hearts of followers, running fourth by a narrow margin. His effort was full of merit and he should have taken benefit from that first-up run. Barrier 8 looks ideal and he can give a great sight again here.

1 ZARATONE won that Starlight Stakes when leading all the way beating 7 HEART TESTA with the 3yo 11 SAFEGUARD in third. No doubting Rosehill is 1 ZARATONE’s pet track and he is yet to win here. 7 HEART TESTA meets him two kilograms better off at the weights and has drawn perfectly in barrier 5. He is super consistent and is too genuine to leave out. 11 SAFEGUARD was good and must be respected again here also. The Snowden trained colt has been up for a while now and that is the query. Hard to question the Snowden camp though.

5 CLUB COMMAND has made his way up from Melbourne and is now based at Moody’s stables at Randwick. He comes into this first-up on the back of a nice trial on the 2^nd of December. Comment below:

“Got a little further back than expected (second last) but got a split and finished off well in the straight. Was urged along a little in the last 150m but went very well. Nice enough effort and will take benefit from the run.”

The 5yo has been superbly placed by Moody and his career record shows this with 6 wins and 6 placings from 13 starts. That unplaced run was a fourth at Moonee Valley back in April. He is clearly in good order and can run in his NSW debut.

2 AERONAUTICAL and 12 DEE’N’GEE also come into this with good trials under their belts. Really liked the two trials of 12 DEE’N’GEE leading in and he ran very well fresh last prep. At huge odds he can definitely run a race. 2 AERONAUTICAL has class and goes into quaddies.

All in all, a very hard race and we are happy to look for value. That may come in the form of 12 DEE’N’GEE and 8 MASTER HARRY. No doubting 5 CLUB COMMAND is going well enough to be competitive here and 7 HEART TESTA is the obvious. A race with a host of chances and willing to go wide.

SELECTIONS:

· Ascot, Race 8 – 16 NEXT CONTESTANT (each way)

· Flemington, Race 2 – 13 SUNSET IN VENICE (each way)

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