Top 5 Early Insights - Royal Randwick
Published: 12 Feb 2015
Key player - Waller has accepted with a strong team of gallopers this weekend
The Sydney Carnival is still a few weeks away, but mid-afternoon this Saturday the feeling of Autumn will be in the air at Royal Randwick.
At 3:35pm, John Thompson's classy filly First Seal make her 2015 debut over 1,200 metres in the Light Fingers stakes. And if that isn't enough, 40 minutes later He's Your Man, Contributer, Silent Achiever and 'lil' Lucia Valentina return in the Apollo Stakes.
The full Race Guides for all eight events at Royal Randwick will be available at 8am on Friday.
Until then, The Race Guide's Top 5 Early Insights might steer you into a winner at good odds.
To get sign-up bonuses and other deals, join Luxbet now
1 - A One-paced Fav'
"Spy Decoder lines up at short-odds in Race 1. He's got the ratings on the board and a touch of class, but what he's missing is a turn-of-foot. He might need a Strong Tempo to win."
Takes time to wind up - Spy Decoder lacks a turn-of-foot
2 - The Dragon and the Ghost
"Race 2 is a really tricky one over 2400m. Georgey Aeroplane is no good thing on a dry track and you can't be sure Koroibete will get 2400m. Ghost Protocol fits in OK, and if you like him, Blazing Dragon has very similar form-lines. They'll both be chasing home late."
Due for a win - Ghost Protocol is well placed on Saturday
3 - First-up Facts
"Bull Point ticks a lot of boxes in Race 4, just beware of one key statistic. First-up his record reads 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 placing. Sounds good, but the wins were when he was trained by Gai Waterhouse and the placing came first-up for Waller last preparation after three trials. He's only had the one trial this time... and it wasn't that crash hot."
Big boy - There is a risk Bull Point won't be fit enough
4 - 'Lil' Lucia
"Lucia Valentina is one of the most game mares going around, she just isn't the most powerful. First-up last time in she blew them away on a Heavy track. Winning over 1,400m on a dry track might be beyond her in Race 6."
Loves it wet - Lucia Valentina might lack the power to sprint on a dry track
5 - Second-guessing Waller
"Waller doesn't always have his gallopers primed first-up, making a look at the mounting yard invaluable. One sign that he has them ready is two, or more, trials before a race. Telepathic steps out in Race 8 over 1400m after two good trials. Have a good look at her."
Second-guessing - Knowing which Waller galloper is primed first-up can be tricky
Tune into @TheRaceGuide on Twitter this Saturday for all the Royal Randwick Raceday insights
Race Guides are available Friday at 8am