As the enforced racing ban in Britain continues, we rely on those much further afield to provide our action. There’s a big night at Oaklawn over the in the States, but our selections come from down under as Royal Randwick’s fascinating run of group racing continues.
William Haggas, who got his duo down to Sydney just in time before lockdowns ensued, has a chance to land a clean sweep given that both Young Rascal and Addeybb have already won at Rosehill and have outstanding chances once again, though we begin with a good-looking two-year-old race.
04:20 Randwick (Percy Sykes Stakes – Group 2) – SEE YOU SOON
This is a fine opportunity for See You Soon who has put in at an inexplicably large price on the lead-up to this Group 2 sprint for juvenile fillies by British bookmakers.
She wasn’t great last time out in all fairness, but before that she was improving nicely having beaten major shout here Dame Giselle back in October, then finished second to her from a less opportune draw over five furlongs before filling the runner-up spot once more behind the same horse, albeit by a short-head and off level weights.
She is 7lbs better off with Dame Giselle now and is expected to make that count, so a bigger threat may well come from another at a very attractive price in the shape of Muntaseera. Tom Marquand takes the ride on that one, but he may have it all to do as will likely favourite Away Game who looks too short to me.
04:55 Randwick (Arrowfield 3YO Sprint) – FLIT
This could be one for the Godolphin boys and girls as their Flit, a fine winner over the course and distance on soft ground in February, looks to have things just as she wants them for this valuable six-furlong sprint and she may well prove very difficult to beat.
Rachel King’s mount put in easily her best work in a very similar race to this a couple of months ago, beating Lyre at Group 2 level, and at these weighs she should have enough to take care of the likely favourite Cosmic Force.
Cosmic Force has already proven to be a good earner this season and last, but a look through his form suggests that on balance it would be unwise to expect his best form on softer ground and so his charge could be blunted somewhat.
Villami and California Zimbol may get involved but it’s James Cummings’ daughter of superstar Medaglia d’Oro who gets the vote for us.
06:15 Randwick (Sydney Cup – Group 1 Handicap) – YOUNG RASCAL
Although priced up pretty short by British bookmakers on Thursday, it’s possible that on the Aussie tote William Haggas’ Young Rascal will be a perfectly backable price in this fascinating two-mile Group 1 handicap and at these weights, he should go very close indeed.
Winning over a mile-and-a-half on his Australian debut last time at Group 3 level, it was clear that in these conditions he wants this sort of trip and so today’s assignment is perfect for him and jockey of the moment, Tom Marquand.
The contenders in behind him are numerous and include the potentially overpriced Angel Of Truth, former Brian Meehan horse Raheen House and last year’s Ebor winner Mustajeer. But, although competition is fierce enough, Young Rascal had the potential to be a genuine Group 1 horse at home and clearly needed to stretch out last time, meaning we could just see him at his best this time around.
06:55 Randwick (Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Group 1) – ADDEYBB
We could actually be on for a William Haggas/Tom Marquand Group 1 double at Randwick as Addeybb has his perfect racing conditions in an event still worth over £600,000 to the winner, despite recent reductions in prize money due to the coronavirus outbreak.
In winning the Ranvet Stakes last time out he made a great start to his short stay in Australia, but he definitely needed the run that day and should be absolutely at his peak now for this important assignment.
If he is at or near his best then he would have been hard to beat anyway in this company, and yet he may not even be favourite because of the presence of Japanese horse Danon Premium. While his form is striking though, he is not one who gets his desired firm ground here and who therefore may not be at his best.
Addeybb’s old rival Verry Elleegant, despite a busy campaign, could once again be the one to chase home the son of Pivotal while Master Of Wine looks a solid place contender.
One last word on Addeybb and Young Rascal; if you can take the Australian tote prices as overseas runners such as this will often be allowed to go off a bigger price than they should, and very definitely bigger than what traditional British layers will be offering.
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