After a fantastic day last Saturday at the Gold Coast, today we are back to NSW for a preview of two interesting races and three selections.

In Sydney we are back again at Randwick on Saturday after twice seeing meetings conducted there over the New Year Period. On those occasions we had a 3m rail position and before that a true position. Those were on surfaces with a touch of give in them and if anything you wanted to be getting off the fence.

Now we head out to 6m and without much rain in the forecast, it will be firm. A wide rail and a firmer track can often means on-pace or on-fence bias so be wary. Small fields could also mean leaders will be having easier times up the front.

The field for Race 2 at Randwick on Saturday. Full fields and form available at http://www.risa.com.au/

RANDWICK Race 2 — 3yo BenchMark 75 Handicap Sprint (1200m)

On an average day at Randwick, this race has to be considered a highlight with a number of very talented, lightly-raced and progressive three-year-olds lining up. Plenty of speed engaged here and a number of these could lead if so desired.

A couple of current blackbookers engaged but a number of these have trialled well previously throughout their short careers. 5 ATMOSPHERICAL couldn’t have done much more for subscribers so far in her career with two dominant wins from as many starts. She looks a star on the rise and racing needs them. Hoping she can continue on her winning ways. She should get a lovely run from barrier 2 and the step up to 1200m should pose no problems.

The superbly-bred 8 WOODBINE (by Hussonet out of Golden Slipper-winning filly Miss Finland) is our other blackbooker following a very good trial at this track back on January 3. She had two runs last prep in her initial campaign, winning well on debut before putting in a good effort for third behind Earnest Desire. She started $1.55 on that occasion which is an indication of how highly she is rated and was immediately spelled after. Two trials leading in to her first-up appearance today should see her ready to fire and she has the talent to win. McDonald takes the ride and she should get a nice run in transit from barrier 1.

4 DREAM FORWARD comes out of the Magic Millions three-year-old race won by Sweet Idea at Wyong in December. She ran 3.6 lengths fifth on that occasion and Sweet Idea has since franked that form coming out to win the feature three-year-old event last Saturday on the Gold Coast. 4 DREAM FORWARD has since had a barrier trial at Wyong where she easily accounted for a weak bunch. No doubt she can run well here but she has to concede a little bit of weight and barrier eight is a slight concern. Blinkers go on for the first time which is a key gear change and one which may see her improve.

The topweight 1 WATABOUT is another that has blinkers on first time. She performed very well on rain affected surfaces in winter but has since lost her winning form. She is conceding plenty of weight here to some classy types and the outside barrier makes her task difficult. Prefer others.

Would have liked to have seen more from the David Vandyke-trained 6 IKE’S LEGACY at his latest trial but that was over 1050m and may have topped him off for his first-up attempt here. No doubting he has talent.

Former blackbooker 2 COSMIC CAMEO has been racing in good form and can be competitive here also.

Leaning to our two blackbookers here in what is a tough but quality race. If having to split them, leaning to 5 ATMOSPHERICAL but expecting one of 5 ATMOSPHERICAL or 8 WOODBINE to win. 2 COSMIC CAMEO, 4 DREAM FORWARD and 6 IKES LEGACY next best. Happy to play multiples around those two to win.

The field for Race 1 at Kembla Grange on Saturday. Full fields and form available at http://www.risa.com.au/

KEMBLA Race 1 – Set Weights Maiden (1000m)

A maiden over 1000m to start the day at Kembla and only 4 of the field of 10 have been seen at the races. With six debutants the speed map is a little questionable. Expecting that our blackbooker 5 CASTIGATE will either lead or settle just off the speed. No matter what happens, from barrier 2, she should get a lovely run in transit.

The 3yo Street Cry filly has had the one career start when running third at a very short quote back in August. Although slightly disappointing, especially considering market expectation, her run was good and that was a stronger race than she meets here. The addition of the Lugging Bit and the Tongue Tie for the first time are important gear changes to note. She comes into this on the back of a very good trial and she looks extremely hard to beat. Expecting her to be very short again but very confident she can account for these. She looks a nice type for the future.

THE TRIAL FILES’ SELECTIONS
FOR SATURDAY RACING:

• RANDWICK Race 2 — 5 ATMOSPHERICAL, 8 WOODBINE (win)

• RANDWICK Race 2 — Exotics around (5, 8 – 2, 4, 6)

• RANDWICK Race 8 – 10 CHARGE ACCOUNT (win)

• KEMBLA GRANGE Race 1 – 5 CASTIGATE (win)