Once upon a time spring racing in NSW would be over by this point, but not anymore!
A quality day of racing is set for Royal Randwick this Saturday afternoon with plenty of prize money on offer.
Our full 2021 The Invitation Day Tips & Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: 12:30pm – Kirkham Plate, (1000m)
Tip: No. 1 Contemporary
There is not a lot of exposed form to go through in the opening race of the day at Royal Randwick.
Contemporary was narrowly denied in his racing debut at Flemington and I love the fact that he has had a trial in between runs which he won by almost three lengths.
Race 2: 1:05pm – Highway Handicap, (1800m)
Tip: No. 2 Kitzbuhel
Lightly raced five year old Kitzbuhel returned a nice effort when finishing third first up at Goulburn and he will only improve off that race into this one.
The son of Medaglia d’Oro will have no issue stepping up sharply in distance having put together back to back wins over 2000m at wagga last prep.
It usually takes a progressive type of horse to win these Highway Handicaps and this horse fits the profile perfectly.
Race 3: 1:40pm – Listed Brian Crowley Stakes, (1200m)
Tip: No. 5 Able Willie
Chris Waller produced this talented three year old son of Written Tycoon at the races three weeks ago when he scored by 2.3 lengths at Warwick Farm.
I love the fact that he has had a trial in between runs and there is plenty of improvement left in this horse.
He’s a short price but looks the obvious choice.
Race 4: 2:15pm – Midway Handicap, (1200m)
Tip: No. 3 Air To Air
Air To Air is a smart mare that has raced in a better grade of racing than this Midway Handicap in recent times.
She was competitive in a number of Group races last prep highlighted by a third in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown in May.
This is not her preferred distance and she will improve on whatever she does first up but she is still very much a winning chance.
Race 5: 2:50pm – Filante Handicap, (1400m)
Tip: No. 1 Emerald Kingdom
Rob Heathcote brings his very consistent galloper Emerald Kingdom down from Queensland after his second to the smart Apache Chase first up at Eagle Farm.
The seven year old gelding has 11 wins from 27 career starts, five of those have been over 1400m.
He will be required to carry the big weight to victory but his class will take him a long way.
He’s four from six second up and the one to beat.
Race 6: 3:25pm – Benchmark 78 Handicap, (1600m)
Tip: No. 9 Ma And Pa
The well bred Ma And Pa has improved every time he has been seen at the races this time in and comes into this race on the back of three wins in a row.
The four year old gelding is by Redoute’s Choice out of Group 1 winner Dear Demi and he has a huge amount of upside.
This is another step up in class but he’s the one to beat again.
Race 7: 4:10pm – Listed Tattersalls Club Cup, (2400m)
Tip: No. 8 Savvy Valentino
This is a very interesting betting race but I’m happy to take on the favourite Zeyrek at his short quote.
Savvy Valentino put together back to back wins over 2400m leading into his fifth place finish in the ATC St Leger Stakes last weekend.
Aside from the place getters, he was the only horse full of running late in the race and the rain that is predicted in Sydney this week will only improve his chances of an upset.
Race 8: 4:45pm – Bondi Stakes, (1600m)
Tip: No. 2 Coastwatch
Coastwatch broke through for his maiden stakes race in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty three starts back and has been excellent in his two subsequent runs.
He ran third to In The Congo in the Golden Rose and was nabbed late by Hilal last time out in the Stan Fox Stakes.
The step up to 1600m shouldn’t be an issue and I’m confident he will be fighting out the finish in the $1 million Bondi Stakes.
Race 9: 5:35pm – The Invitation, (1400m)
Tip: No. 2 Nudge
Kudos has to go to Racing NSW for the concept for this race and 2021 The Invitation has produced a quality field of fillies and mares.
One of the mares that has been lured north is the very consistent Nudge who has now finished in the top four in her last eight straight races after a narrow defeat in the Group 3 Northwood Plume when resuming at Caulfield two weeks ago.
She was doing her best work late in that race and the step up to 1400m will suit.
Race 10: 6:10pm – Benchmark 88 Handicap, (1200m)
Tip: Boxed Trifecta 2/3/6/9 *Sub 11*
