Top 5 Early Insights @ Royal Randwick

Published: 09 Jul 2015

Ready for Randwick - Miss Hufflepuff could show up at odds this weekend

The Grafton Carnival had excitement on and off the track this week. Big crowds and lightning fast turf saw records broken and closely-fought finishes.

Back to Sydney for the weekend's racing, Royal Randwick is the venue and the conditions look very different. A HEAVY track with forecast rain means the tough wet-trackers will rise to the top.

Ahead of Friday's full Race Guides, the Analyst Team list their Top 5 Early Insights.

1 - Huffs and Puffs

There are a few genuine wet-trackers lining up, including geldings GEORGEY AEROPLANE, GHOST PROTOCOL and AROUSED.

A mare in Race 3 can mix it with any of the boys when it comes to toughness though.

MISS HUFFLEPUFF is as solid as a rock.

Robust type - Miss Hufflepuff pushes forward and doesn't give up easily

2 - Better Luck Needed

Many of the horses in Race 6 come through the same lead-up race, a 1,200 metre sprint won by Two Blue.

COOLRING, IDANCE and MAGIC DALLAS didn't have much luck that day and are all better suited up to 1,300 metres this time.

With any luck, they will all get into the finish.

Blocked for a run - Magic Dallas will be hoping for more room to move at Randwick

3 - Clapped too Early?

There's no doubt HAPPY CLAPPER is a talented galloper, a promising four-year-old that can sustain a long run to the line.

But he's only had one barrier trial coming into this weekend and could get a long way back from the inside draw.

He seems short in early markets.

Maybe next time? - Happy Clapper is right in the market first-up

4 - Nearing Their Peak

The Winter tracks require a good level of fitness to perform. As we've seen over the last few weeks, horses early in their preparation often struggle to find their best.

So which horses are nearing their peak this weekend?

EIGELSTEIN (Race 1), PAJARO (Race 1), MISS HUFFLEPUFF (Race 3), STOP THE PRESS (Race 5), IDANCE (Race 6), GEORGEY AEROPLANE (Race 7), ASTRONOMOS (Race 7) and GHOST PROTOCOL (Race 7) can all get into the finish.

Fitter now - Idance is a key contender third-up from a spell

5 - Mounting Yard Watch

Two sprint races bookend this week's Quaddie, events that can be a real puzzle to work out.

There are many in each race with good form, but don't bet too big without checking the mounting yard.

INZ'N'OUT, ORUJO and MINNESOTA can all play a big part in Race 5 if they are fit and well, while SELECTIFY, DARCIWOOD, IL MIO DESTINO and JIMMY SAYS YES are the horses to keep an eye on in Race 8.

Tune into @TheRaceGuide on Twitter for all the Mounting Yard notes.

Watch the yard - Inz'n'Out returns as a gelding this Saturday