After one of only two days of the year without racing, we are back with a big day of racing Australia wide for Boxing Day.

It’s the Summer Cup Day at Randwick on Boxing Day, but something doesn’t feel right about it being reduced to 2000m. We decry the lack of staying races … then go reducing a good December feature. Go figure.

So Randwick is back to the course proper after being forced to move the Villiers program to the Kensington track. You have to wonder how the surface is going to be. It has been almost two months since they raced here. It has been very hot of late but rain is forecast. Any sign of rain at Randwick usually means off the fence is favoured. This is especially so with the rail true. If that occurs, don’t go easily discounting horses with wide gates, as they can get cover and work home strongly.

RANDWICK RACE 2 – BM72 Sprint (1000m)

Trial Comments: COSMIC CAMEO – Jumped away nicely and pulled its way forward to lead. Travelled very nicely. Kicked extremely well under no pressure. Very nice trial. Was super first up and can go on with it after another nice trial. TULLA TOUCH – Jumped away nicely and was under a strong hold early. Was trapped wide on the speed. Under a big hold throughout and again, another nice trial. Has talent as shown previously and can run well again first up. GOOD JOB BRO – Nice trial under minimal pressure. Probably the pick from this trial. Made good ground and ran through the line nicely.

Race summary: A small field but a very interesting race nonetheless. Three to note from trials and two blackbookers in the form of 3 COSMIC CAMEO and 6 TULLA TOUCH. Pace looks good with 2 SWEET SERENDIPITY, 3 COSMIC CAMEO and 6 TULLA TOUCH all natural on-pace runners. Expecting our blackbooker 6 TULLA TOUCH to push forward and lead from a wide barrier.

The David Vandyke-trained filly 6 TULLA TOUCH is a favourite for The Trial File followers after winning at her first three career starts after entering our blackbook. She then stepped up to Group 2 company and wasn’t disgraced behind Bound For Earth and Guelph. She has had just the one trial this time in when running an impressive second. 6 TULLA TOUCH is clearly in good order and if she doesn’t have to do a lot of work from barrier 7, she is expected to be hard to beat.

Our other blackbooker here is 3 COSMIC CAMEO who led from start to finish in a recent jump-out at Rosehill. He came into that trial with race fitness on his side after a dominant win at Canterbury almost a month ago. He did beat 4 ZOCALOS on that occasion and we see no reason why the tables will be turned here. The trial suggested 3 COSMIC CAMEO is going very nicely. Blake Shinn maintains the ride and from barrier 4, should get a lovely run in transit. Up slightly in grade and in weight but no surprise to see him be prominent again here.

Despite only having won 1 from 11, 1 GOOD JOB BRO is the class runner in the field. His recent trial was good and he can run well, despite having to concede weight to these.

5 SNITZEL’S JEWEL comes into this first-up without a trial. This is rare for Gerald Ryan-trained gallopers. She is unbeaten fresh and she has to be respected, especially if she has market support.

In an interesting affair, leaning to 6 TULLA TOUCH ahead of 3 COSMIC CAMEO. Place chances to a number of these but happy to back 6 TULLA TOUCH to win. Include in exotics with 3 COSMIC CAMEO and 1 GOOD JOB BRO ahead of 5 SNITZEL’S JEWEL if supported.

PINJARRA Race 6 – 3yo+ Handicap (1200m)

Boxing Day racing from the West comes from Pinjarra Park with a big 10 race program. We like the look of Race 6 and we expect a strong performance from a horse who has trialled strongly recently.

There looks to be a good amount of speed here from the likes of 10 DARK HUMOR, 5 POINT OF RETURN, 3 CAN’T YOU SEE THAT and 7 HELL’S LADY which should set the race up for a horse who can settle nicely just behind the speed.

8 WINK AND A NOD could be that horse. Drawn perfectly in barrier six he should be able to take up a perfect position midfield with cover. With the decent tempo expected up front, with even luck he should be a strong winning chance. He has shown a great amount of ability at the trials recently, and has had a brief five week freshen up for this race. He was a good thing beaten first up last time, then second up finished midfield, 2L behind EJAY’S GIRL who has gone on to run two placings in listed company. On ability, he has this field covered easily.

The top weight 1 PAINTED, looks to be reasonably well in here despite the big 60kg impost. The majority of this field doesn’t have too much ability and he is fairly consistent. Should be able to settle in a similar position to 8 WINK AND A NOD, but we just think the latter is on the way up and has a bit too much ability for him.

Another horse we have been following since his trial is 2 CHORUS BOY from the Giadresco stable. His first two runs have been very different. First up he came from a long way back and was flying up the inside late, while second up he sat on the speed and hit the front in the straight before being swamped late. He looks to go better ridden midfield and given the pace engaged today eh should be able to do this. He is a definite chance and will be running home late.

7 HELL’S LADY broke her maiden last start after 18 previous attempts. She looks to be the strongest of the leading brigade and can give a sight in the straight.

We are confident 8 WINK AND A NOD can return as a winner off his brief freshen up as he looks to easily have this field covered ability wise. 2 CHORUS BOY and 1 PAINTED look the horses most likely to run into a place.

THE TRIAL FILES’ SELECTIONS
FOR BOXING DAY:

• RANDWICK Race 2 – 6 TULLA TOUCH (win)

• PINJARRA Race 6 – 8 WINK AND A NOD (win)