| What | Kensington Races |
| Where | Royal Randwick Racecourse (Kensington Track) – Alison Road, Randwick NSW |
| When | Saturday, January 01, 2022 |
| Feature Race | Race 6 | Maroubra Mile (1600m) |
| First Race | 12:20pm AEDT |
| Watch Live | |
|
Streaming Live at Sportsbet |
|
HorseBetting’s Sydney racing analyst brings you his best bets, value bet, quaddie numbers and Maroubra Mile best bet for New Year’s Day racing on the Kensington track at Randwick. There has been some rain in the Harbour City over the past week, which sees the track rated a Soft 7 at the time of writing, while the rail is in the true position for the first meeting of the calendar year. The first race on the 10-race card is scheduled to face the starter at 12:20pm AEDT.
Marboura Mile Best Bet
We don’t often see Saturday racing on the Kensington track, so only two horses in this field have ever started on the inner course, with one of those being Bigboyroy. The Chris Waller-trained gelding has had two goes on the track for one runner-up performance, so we know he handles the tighter course, which is a big plus. It has been a while between wins for this five-year-old, with his last win coming on Boxing Day in 2020, however he has contested some decent races and never been too far away on any occasion. The son of Dissident somewhat disappointed when favourite in the December Handicap on December 18 when sixth, however he carried 1kg over what he was allocated and now drops 2.5kg to get down to 52.5kg under Jay Ford. There is very little speed in the race, so he can set the tempo, dictate terms and kick away on the bend. This looks to be his chance to get back into the winner’s stall.
Kensington Best Bet Of The Day – Kanazawa
James Cummings saddles up impressive debut winner Kanazawa in the penultimate race of the day, a 3YO Benchmark 72 over 1300m. The gelded son of Lonhro was well supported in his Warwick Farm debut under Rachel King and duly saluted, getting up to win by half a length over 1100m. No rider is confirmed for Kanazawa on Saturday, and while we aren’t certain, we think it could be to do with the fact that Rachel King was indisposed from her duties at Gosford on Wednesday morning, so a replacement rider is yet to be confirmed. The gelding should relish getting out in trip to 1300m, while the likes of Snitzonfire, Kir Royale and Warrior Hero will ensure it is a genuinely run race, which will suit this three-year-old’s chances. He has a touch of class.
Next Best Bet – Head Legislator
Matthew Dunn and Sam Clipperton combine in the last race of the day with Head Legislator, a four-year-old gelding by Headwater. This galloper ran five consecutive seconds before he finally broke through to win well at Kembla Grange in September, which he then backed up later that month to defeat Promise Of Success at this track over 1400m. Head Legislator resumed in the Magic Millions Wyong 3YO & 4YO Stakes where he finished fifth, despite being beaten less than a length. Drawn well in barrier four, Clipperton can get this gelding into a prominent position early, which should allow him to be close enough to strike at the top of the straight. This race is full of good horses, but we are confident he brings the best horse and has the most upside, especially now that he is second-up and out to 1300m.
Best Value At Kensington – California Deeply
Peter & Paul Snowden will be hoping that their two-year-old colt, California Deeply, can remain undefeated after his second start on Saturday. The son of Deep Field is out of Listed and Group-performed mare, Murtle Turtle, and he seems to have plenty of class based off what we saw on debut. The colt had the box seat in the run at Warwick Farm on debut in an 1100m 2YO Maiden, before being held up at a crucial stage upon turning which looked to bring an end to his chances, however, he was able to rally and get up to win by half a length. From that race, third-place getter Shalailed has come out to run third at Randwick on Boxing Day behind Russian Conquest and Snitcat, franking the form out of the maiden. Brodie Loy should be able to stay out of trouble from barrier six in this big field, and given that the race favourite, Secret Revolution, is drawn directly to his outside, he may be able to hold him out. We are surprised he has gone up the price he has in the opener.
Saturday quaddie tips for Kensington
| Kensington quadrella selections | |
|---|---|
| Leg 1: | 4-5 |
| Leg 2: | 1-2-3-6 |
| Leg 3: | 2-6-7-8 |
| Leg 4: | 3-4-5-10 |
| Investment: | $128 for 100% |
