Australian Racing Preview for May 1

by Mitchell Lamb

Think there’s a few at big odds that can play a part in their individual races tonight at both the Kensington circuit in Sydney and Doomben in Brisbane…let’s hope we can build a bank for a big day at Oaklawn on Saturday!

RANDWICK (KENSINGTON) RACE 1

NO.11 NEWSREADER (BRENTON AVDULLA)

Current Odds: 15-1

Debutant from the John O’Shea stable, who is by young stallion and former Caulfield Guineas hero Press Statement out of a mare named Thinking Of You, who was a very talented filly early in her racing career, in fact at her third start she ran 3^rd in the G1 Flight Stakes behind First Seal and a filly that turned out to be pretty good…her name being Winx.

I was extremely encouraged by what we saw in this girl’s only barrier trial when she was ridden quietly early, kept wide into the straight, and when she was given just the slightest of pushes, she responded very nicely – I loved what she did the last 150 yards or so, as she really stretched out the neck and attacked the line, without being under any great vigor from the jockey.

She’s found a pretty hot race here, but she’ll start well into the double figures and I’m positive we’re looking at a filly with above average ability, so I won’t be letting her get under my guard here.

RANDWICK (KENSINGTON) RACE 5

NO.8 SHERIFF (JASON COLLETT)

Current Odds: 20-1

This rising 5yo has always been a galloper with decent ability, but often he was having too many off days in between efforts where he was giving 100%. So, they eventually bit the bullet and gelded him, and this will be his first prep since getting the snip.

I’m hoping it helps him turn the corner and become a more consistent force on the track – he has certainly looked well in two barrier trials recently, winning one by 9 lengths at Nowra, before settling well behind the speed at Kembla and going past the leaders under little to no pressure.

He draws the fence here and will be stalking what should be a hot speed – at his best, he is up to these, and at that huge price I’ll be making sure he’s carrying some of my hard earned.

RANDWICK (KENSINGTON) RACE 9

NO.9 AGASSI (NASH RAWILLER)

Current Odds: 4-1

Feels like a horse that should have a better record than what he actually does, because he’s certainly better than average, but he does need things to go his way. He’s really a horse that needs to dominate his races, preferably by leading, but he showed last start that he doesn’t have to do be in front to run well.

One of his opponents here, Commander, led that race up (and ended up running last), while Agassi took a sit behind the two in front and just couldn’t run down Canasta the last furlong. I think this race sets up very similar to that, with Commander likely to be Agassi’s bunny.

This is his right trip, his favorite circuit, he looks well in, and he gets the sweet run – be very disappointing if he couldn’t go close here.

DOOMBEN RACE 7

NO.3 GARIBALDI (ANTHONY ALLEN)

Current Odds: 7-1

Admittedly, the odds-on favorite here in The Odyssey is a high quality 3-year-old who does little wrong in his races, usually leading and proving hard to get past. But Garibaldi has always had plenty of talent himself, and it’s hard to believe he has only won the one race which was his debut.

I thought he was excellent first up behind his very fast stablemate Niedorp, taking ground off him late. That run would have done him the world of good after six months off, and now he gets a little further in trip which suits, and he gets the blinkers on first time.

I expect him, in this small field, to not be too far off the pace, and hopefully something, perhaps his stablemate The Move, puts some pressure on The Odyssey, and Garibaldi is the one that takes advantage and drops on the leaders late.