Saturday

Randwick Race 3 – 1:40pm Asahi Super Dry Handicap (2000m)

If the forecast rain for Sydney arrives the Randwick track will be in the Soft to Heavy range which should suit the Waterhouse and Bott trained BEAR ON THE LOOSE (IRE). The Footstepsinthesand gelding was run down when he resumed in the Gardenia Handicap over 1600m at Randwick on February 7th and will be fitter for the trip. The impost of 61.5kg is significant giving Adan Hyeronimus the task to rate Bear On The Loose for the trip to give the field a chase they cannot match.

Flemington Race 5 – 2:30pm VOBIS Gold Comet (1000m)

MCGAW was a brilliant winner down the straight at Flemington when landing the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) — defeating My Gladiola and Tentyris no less! Ridden by Damian Lane on that particular occasion, the strapping son of I Am Immortal was allowed to ‘let rip’ and was able to hold on against two exceptionally good Flemington straight performers. While there is no shortage of speed in Saturday’s assignment, McGaw teams up with Lane once again and has the form on the board to give this contest a big shake.

Randwick Race 6 – 3:25pm Group 2 Proven Thoroughbreds Guy Walter Stakes (1400m)

Michael Freedman’s MANAAL won the 2024 Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes on a Heavy 8 and the mare has since performed with distinction on Soft and Good tracks. She must carry top-weight of 59kg under Jason Collett, but it is 0.5kg less than her second in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes on February 14th when she could not haul in Weeping Woman with 54.5kg.

Flemington Race 7 – 3:40pm Group 2 TAB Blamey Stakes (1600m)

APULIA raced in career best form late last year, winning on two major Spring programs in Melbourne before twice winning during a highly successful campaign in Western Australia which culminated in Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) glory. Though the talented 5-year-old hasn’t raced since New Year’s Day, the 1600m distance of the Blamey Stakes looks an ideal starting point for his Autumn campaign. In addition to Apulia being a course and distance winner last November, his record first- and second-up is difficult to dismiss and he looks the horse to beat with barrier 2 and the services of Michael Dee also very much in his favour.