Day two of The Championships took the spotlight at Randwick last weekend, while racing in Victoria headed to Bendigo for its standalone Saturday metropolitan meeting. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have zeroed in on both of those cards to find three runners worth tracking. Add these horses to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker, and you will receive updates before they run.
Bendigo
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 8: Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) | Time: 1:22.71
- Horse to follow: War Machine (1st)
War Machine recorded a hat-trick of wins when he careered away from his rivals to take out the Bendigo Guineas by two lengths. The Michael Moroney-trained gelding has won three of his five career starts to date, and after a dominant win in Listed grade, he appears destined for Group company soon. The further this son of Harry Angel steps out in trip, the better he gets, so it would be no surprise to see him take on a 1600m contest next start.
When to bet: Post-race, the Moroney stable said that Queensland was on the cards for this progressive galloper, and the Group 2 Queensland Guineas over 1600m would be the ideal race for War Machine next.
Randwick
Rail position: +4m 1400m-W/Post, +3m Remainder
Race 2: Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) | Time: 1:21.98
- Horse to follow: Port Lockroy (6th)
After producing a strong performance in the Listed Canberra Guineas when fresh, Port Lockroy ran home strongly in the South Pacific Classic and appears ready to go to 1600m third-up. The Annabel Neasham-trained colt settled near last and had to sustain a long run around the outside of the field to finish in sixth place, only 1.55 lengths off the winner.
When to bet: If Neasham and her team can find a race over 1600m or 1800m for this colt against his own age group, Port Lockroy will go very close to winning next time out.
Race 4: Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.74
- Horse to follow: El Morzillo (4th)
Kelly Schweida entered El Morzillo in the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes against some of the best two-year-old fillies in the country, and she passed the test with flying colours. This daughter of Star Witness flew home from the back of the field and finished in fourth place; however, she went straight past the placegetters through the line, suggesting a step up in trip would suit her down to the ground.
When to bet: With the Queensland Racing Carnival just weeks away, Schwieda and his team could find a nice race for El Morzillo over 1400m. If she performs at a similar level to her last start, she will have a big chance to record another win.
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