Royal Randwick full racing tips & best bets | September 17

Race 1: Highway Class 3 Handicap (1000m)

We kick off a massive day of racing with the weekly edition of the Highway and as always, it is a big field, with plenty of chances. However, the Danny Williams-trained Prince Nicconi looks the one to side with. He was only gunned down late by the progressive Opal Ridge over 1200m, but put a big gap on his closest rival back in third. This is by no means easier, but considering we are getting double the price of the favourite Custo, we are hoping barrier one and the want to roll forward, alongside decent form lines holds Prince Nicconi in good stead.

• 4
  

  PRINCE NICCONI

• 16
  

  CUSTO

• 2
  

  LIMITED REALITY

• 1
  

  SHALSTAR

Race 2: Midway BM72 Handicap (1600m)

Zou De Moon has recorded two wins from her three runs this campaign and looks the one to be with in the Midway. From barrier five, Tim Clark will look to roll forward and hold the rail aboard the Zoustar mare and has shown she can handle all sorts of track conditions throughout her career. With most of her main market rivals will be wanting to get back and run on and we are more than happy to side with the lamplighter and with a bit of luck, she can fend off her rivals.

• 1
  

  ZOU DE MOON

• 4
  

  NAVAJO PEAK

• 6
  

  MAHAGONI

• 7
  

  DIAMOND DIESEL

Race 3: BM88 Handicap (1400m)

The way the Chris Waller-trained Grace And Harmony return first-up two runs back suggested she was in for a big campaign this spring. However, she put in an absolute stinker last time out at Rosehill when a well-supported favourite. James McDonald hops back on board and despite not having tasted success in 16 months, we expect JMac will be the recipe for success. From barrier five, look for the mare to settle in the second half of the field and at the top of the straight, we expect Grace And Harmony to go past them.

• 7
  

  GRACE AND HARMONY

• 6
  

  ARCTIC THUNDER

• 4
  

  GIANNIS

• 9
  

  BAZOOKA

Race 4: BM78 Handicap (1400m)

Arnold was scratched from Rosehill last weekend and saved for another day, that day is Saturday at Randwick in BM78 grade. He looks to be a class above this lot judging by his first three starts and looks perfectly-placed by the stable once again. Having settled a fair way out of his ground at Kensington on August 24, the Hinchinbrook four-year-old mowed down his rivals and inside the final furlong had the race shot to pieces. He comes up against a tricky field on Saturday, but if James McDonald has him in clear air approaching the home turn, his turn of foot is elite and should be putting a space on these. With another win, we expect a black-type start coming his way.

• 13
  

  ARNOLD

• 11
  

  ROOTS

• 8
  

  ITA

• 1
  

  WAR ETERNAL

Race 5: Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m)

The Chris Waller-trained Ranch Hand was never going to feature in the finish first-up at Moonee Valley in the Chautauqua Stakes when simply settling too far back. The four-year-old returns to Sydney and looks to present great value at $17 with Ladbrokes. This son of Fastnet Rock had trialled up nicely behind Overpass prior to his first-up run and if he is anything like the horse that won in Brisbane earlier in the year, this looks a perfect race for him to kickstart a strong autumn campaign. He has finished second at both of his Group 3 starts so far, showing he is up to this class. With O’president and Cross Talk set to go toe-to-toe over 1400m, it looks perfectly setup for Ranch Hand to finish over the top of his rivals.

• 8
  

  RANCH HAND

• 7
  

  O’PRESIDENT

• 5
  

  CROSS TALK

• 2
  

  PURPLE SECTOR

Race 6: Tea Rose Stakes (1400m)

The Kris Lees-trained Willinga Beast has returned in fine fashion this preparation and despite having every opportunity in the Furious Stakes last time out, had to settle for second behind North Star Lass. Prior to that, she was held up for a run in the Silver Shadow Stakes when chasing home Zougotcha, a runner she meets once again on Saturday. From barrier eight, look for Hugh Bowman to have this Snitzel filly lobbed in the one-one where she can track North Star Lass and when asked for an effort at the top of the straight, Willinga Beast should have enough class under her belt to take out a race like the Tea Rose Stakes.

• 4
  

  WILLINGA BEAST

• 5
  

  ZOUGOTCHA

• 1
  

  NORTH STAR LASS

• 3
  

  PARIS DIOR

Race 7: George Main Stakes (1600m)

The George Main Stakes (1600m) attracts a star-studded field with eight of the 10 acceptors already Group 1 winners. Despite the field, online bookmakers has it down to two runners, the superstars of the Australian turf; Anamoe ($2.25) and Zaaki ($3.30).

Click here for our full runner-by-runner preview of the 2022 George Main Stakes

Race 8: The Shorts (1100m)

The best sprinter on the turf Nature Strip, returns from his Royal Ascot sojourn and looks a clear best bet of the day if he is at his best. Having beaten a similar field like this in last year’s Everest, the now eight-year-old showed no signs of slowing down in his romp at Royal Ascot. He was rolled in this race last year by his old sparring partner Eduardo, but Nature Strip looks the one to be with in this ‘Mini Everest’. Barrier two is an ideal draw for James McDonald and the Strip and if they can hold out Eduardo early on, many may be counting the cash within the first furlong. He’s the best sprinter in the world and the fact we are getting $2.40 about him with some online betting sites, Nature Strip is simply our best bet of the day.

• 1
  

  NATURE STRIP

• 2
  

  EDUARDO

• 4
  

  MAZU

• 8
  

  LOST AND RUNNING

Race 9: Kingston Town Stakes (2000m)

The Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes pits many of these who are heading towards a Melbourne Cup against one another, and it is hard to go past the Sydney Cup winner Knights Order. The seven-year-old gelding managed to lead all the way in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes first-up having kicked off the home turn and made the 1600m contest a genuinely run event throughout. The breakneck tempo was always going to suit a horse who has eight wins to his name in races 2000m+ and as he steps up in distance, he is only going to relish the task even more. Tim Clark will no doubt look to hold the rail from barrier four on Saturday and outside of the stablemate Sacramento, there looks to be little tactical speed in the race. Knight’s Order at $6.50 with Neds is a perfect bet in the penultimate.

• 1
  

  KNIGHT’S ORDER

• 12
  

  SUREFIRE

• 6
  

  GOLD TRIP

• 9
  

  BENAUD

Race 10: BM88 Handicap (1200m)

As always, it is a tricky way home in the last Randwick, but if the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Devil’s Throat replicates his first-up effort, he will take some beating. The four-year-old gelding settled outside the leader on the Kensington track and managed to put close to a length on Nikohli Beagle who was a horror watch for punters at Warwick Farm on September 14 when never really clear. From barrier five with apprentice Reece Jones on board, look for the young hoop to use his 1.5kg claim to his advantage over this six-furlong event. He looks set to land in the one-one and can follow race favourite Maotai throughout and at a nice each-way price, Devil’s Throat looks like the one they have to beat.

• 13
  

  DEVIL’S THROAT

• 14
  

  I AM LETHAL

• 5
  

  MAOTAI

• 12
  

  STARMAN