Selections and best from Chris Scholtz for the Sydney Cup meeting at Randwick on April 12 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

RANDWICK April 11

Best Bets

RACE 3: (2) LORD OF BISCAY - Irish import has won two of his six starts since he landed here nine months ago, running away with the Ballina Cup (1600m) by three lengths in January before making the final of this series with a nose second in the strongest heat over 1400m on his home track at Newcastle six weeks ago when a three wide run cost him the win. The extended break between starts is normal for him with a recent trial topping him off for this target race. Drawn to enjoy a soft run with the significant booking of James McDonald a strong indicator that his leading provincial stable is confident about his chances.

RACE 4: (5) INKARUNA - Promising I Am Invincible filly came off her debut win against the colts in a G3 at Sandown to finish an excellent third behind Tempted and Marhoona in the G2 Riesling Stakes over this course and distance on March 8. That's the Golden Slipper form and tells you this filly would not have been out of place in that race but adds to her appeal here as she is the fresh filly with abundant scope for improvement. Confirmed that she has gone ahead by winning a barrier trial with ease at Randwick on March 28 with her inside gate boosting her prospects.

RACE 9: (1) FANGIRL - She's been a star for several seasons but remarkably this top class mare has not contested an event restricted to her own sex since she failed on a Heavy 10 in this race in 2022 as a 3YO. She's since had 22 starts in nothing less than G2 company for three G1 and two G2 wins while taking her superb Randwick record to seven wins and seven placings from 20 starts. They are stats that underline how well placed she is meeting this field under wfa conditions on her favourite track, giving her the ideal opportunity to add another G1 win to her CV.

Selections

RACE 1: (4) MICHLANGELO; (1) Tupakara; (2) Polish Playgirl; (7) Lady Pankhurst 

RACE 2: (5) NOSTRINGSATTACHED; (7) Canara; (4) Sergeant Major; (9) Mawjood

RACE 3: (2) LORD OF BISCAY; (1) Matcha Latte; (8) Money Team; (4) French Ruler  

RACE 4: (5) INKARUNA; (2) Tempted; (8) Dream Ride; (3) Memo

RACE 5: (8) AUTUMN GLOW; (3) Enriched; (6) Big Swinger; (4) Gatsby's

RACE 6: (2) TREASURETHE MOMENT; (5) Belle Detelle; (1) Leica Lucy; (4) Verona Rose 

RACE 7: (8) ALALCANCE; (4) Circle Of Fire; (15) Birdman; (18) Strathtay; (6) Zardozi; (9) River Of Stars

RACE 8: (12) VIA SISTINA; (2) Rousham Park; (1) Dubai Honour; (3) Light Infantry Man; (9) Fawkner Park; (5) Tom Kitten

RACE 9: (1) FANGIRL; (3) Atishu; (2) Stefi Magnetica; (6) Grinzinger Belle

RACE 10: (3) OLENTIA; (5) Commemorative; (6) Coco Jamboo; (1) Lady Laguna 

Why They Can Win….

RACE 1: (4) MICHELANGELO - Raw talent will relish getting out to this trip. Big scope for improvement.

RACE 2: (5) NOSTRINGSATTACHED – Impressive rise through the Victorian grades. Well up to this.  

RACE 5: (8) AUTUMN GLOW - Classy win first-up to remain unbeaten. Set weights favour her to go on with it.

RACE 6: (1) TREASURETHE MOMENT - Going for the Oaks double. She's the benchmark among our staying fillies.

RACE 7: (8) ALALCANCE - The form horse with the weights in her favour. 3200m only query but she will dictate the tactics.    

RACE 8: (12) VIA SISTINA - It's her grand final and she lands in peak form. Clear ratings winner. 

RACE 10: (3) OLENTIA – Good over this trip when fresh and inside draw helps. Trialled well.  

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – April 12-13

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Lord Of Biscay (R3); Inkaruna (R4); Sequista (R4); Imperial Force (R5); Olentia (R10); Tiz Invincible (R10); Skirt The Law (R10)

NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Rose Of Dubai (R3)

KEMBLA GRANGE TUESDAY: Ant (R1); Casserousse (R2); Hayek (R2); Beadman (R2); Penpel (R2); Hidden Motive (R2); Guardsman (R2); Caltsar (R5); Tillstrom (R5)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Vinrock; Evaporate; Nymphadora; Reducio; Oakfield Jupiter; Celui; Telling; Ballroom Bella; Love And Light; Divine Bene; Triple Tempo; Private Harry; Schwarz; Autumn Glow; Olufsen; Gandalf; Useapin; Mercantilist; General Salute; Meridiana; Snow In May; Jedibeel; Kilman; Fast Track

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM April 7: Unraced Exceed And Excel filly CASSEROUSSE got our attention in her first trial at Warwick Farm last month and improved on that effort to win her 799m heat (47.33; 33.88) with style. She was eager to run and fighting her rider three wide for the first 600m but showed natural talent to extend easily and win with plenty in hand. Has obvious potential but may need to improve her manners.

ROSEHILL April 4: With the Rosehill carnival over they used the course proper for all 16 heats that featured some big names. VIA SISTINA, FANGIRL and BUCKAROO were beaten more than seven lengths in their 1000m heat but don't read anything into the result as it was nothing more than day out for the trio as they prepare for their G1 assignments at Randwick. They dropped out from the start and merely went at a working gallop behind the pack before working strongly through the line. SEQUISTA made an impressive debut in December when third at Randwick and her subsequent trials have stamped her as a filly with a bright future. Strong work here to easily win her 900m heat (55.31; 34.32), cruising home almost three lengths clear of the classy fillies WITHIN THE LAW (a good bounce back from her misadventure in the Golden Slipper) and Group winner MEMO. Unraced youngster GUARDSMAN is a quality colt by Extreme Choice and is ready for a bold debut after four trials since December. Trucked through his 900m heat for an impressive win (56.20; 35.16) with the best part of his trial the way he responded when called on over the last 200m.

NEWCASTLE April 2: Heavy conditions but a noteworthy trial from the 2023 Magic Millions Classic winner SKIRT THE LAW turning up here for an easy win that indicates she is well prepared for a first-up tilt over the carnival. The promising 2YO HIDDEN MOTIVES also looks ready to perform after another classy trial win.

RANDWICK March 28: I Am Invincible filly INKARUNA was a star of the 2YO heats over 740m, travelling easily off the pace in fourth to the turn before surging home under no pressure for a soft win in good time (44.16; 34.23), indicating she has gone ahead in the right manner since her excellent Sydney debut when third in the Riesling Stakes

HAWKESBURY March 25: Promising 2YO colt HAYEK confirmied the talent he had shown in earlier trials with a big win in his 800m heat in fast time (46.36; 32.37).

WARWICK FARM March 21: Some high priced youngsters appeared in the 2YO trials with their efforts suggesting they will make an impression in late season races. The $900,000 Snitzel colt BEADMAN will take plenty of improvement from his debut second in a 792m heat (47.04; 34.05). Other youngsters to take the eye in their trials included CASSEROUSSE and PENPEL 

WARWICK FARM November 8: Big improvement by Capitalist colt HAYEK from his first trial at Randwick to win his 818m heat by more than 14 lengths!  He put the foot down from the jump and you will rarely see youngsters win short course heats by this type of margin. As you would expect it was close to the fastest heat of the session and the fastest 600m sectional (47.70; 33.28).

BLACKBOOK REPORT

BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – April 11-12

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Michelangelo (R1); Sequista (R4); Athabascan (R7); Fawkner Park (R8); Commemorative (R10)`

BENDIGO SATURDAY: Holymanz (R9)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Twigman (R8); Cifrado (R9)

MORPHETTVILLE SATURDAY: Climbing Star (R7)

BLACKBOOKERS – Selected April 5

(Follow for next 3 starts)

BESKAR; KITESURFING; MAID OF MOOLAH; NIGHT ENDEAVOUR; REGAL AZMON; STATE VISIT

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Briasa; Statuario; Evaporate; Heart Of Glass; Just Folk; Nepotism; Imposant; Gringotts; Mare Of Mt Buller; Asgarda; Buffalo; Benagil; Skyhook; Tom Kitten; Joliestar; Alalcance; Verdad; Set To Shine; Burlington Gate; On Display; Tribeca Star; Winnasedge; Tapa Kick