Saturday 16 September 2017
Randwick
Race 6 – (G1) Colgate Optic White Stakes (George Main) (1600m)
The Winx show will once again roll into Royal Randwick on Saturday as the super mare chases her 13th Group 1 and 20th consecutive victory in the Colgate Optic White Stakes. The winner of this race last year, victory on Saturday will see Winx become the first horse since Kingston Town (1981-82) to record back to back wins in the race formerly known as the George Main.
A select few will tell you that Winx isn’t going anywhere near as well this preparation, with her two wins this time in coming against far lesser opposition to what she is likely to face as she progresses deeper into the spring. It’s a sentiment not shared by her rivals on Saturday however, with Happy Clapper’s trainer Pat Webster summing it up best when he said there’s nothing wrong with the $94,000 on offer for second in Saturday’s Group 1.
The bookies seem to agree, with Winx once again dominating the market and currently a $1.10 chance with BlueBet. Happy Clapper currently occupies the second line of betting and looks the quinella horse coming off an impressive win in the Group 2 Tramway a fortnight ago. Winx’s stablemate Foxplay is next best at $16 from Red Excitement ($23) and Ecuador ($51).
BlueBet’s Michael Sullivan is of the opinion that Winx is going as good as ever and can’t see her unbeaten run coming to an end anytime soon. “A few people have bagged her last few wins but I think they’ve been incredible,” says Sullo.
“She’s been in serious trouble both times but as champion horses do they just find a way to win. She clocked 33.10 for her final 600m last start, that’s low flying. She should be even fitter now third up and has an imposing record over the Randwick mile. She should take care of this lot quite comfortably.”
Bet on the Colgate Optic White Stakes here:
https://www.bluebet.com.au/Australian-Racing/Randwick/Race-6/2211776/win
Flemington
Race 7 – (G1) Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m)
The Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes headlines a fantastic card of racing at Flemington on Saturday with the Godolphin star Hartnell looking to give James Cummings his first Group 1 as the head trainer of the global operation.
Following on from a resounding first up victory in the PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield, Hartnell has opened up as the clear top pick in the Makybe Diva and currently heads the market at $1.70 with BlueBet. The next three in betting all come through the Memsie Stakes, led by Black Heart Bart at $6.00, Le Romain ($9.00) and Hey Doc ($13). A host of stayers also find their way into the field including Jon Snow ($18), Inference ($19) and Gailo Chop ($19).
In an ominous warning to his rivals, Cummings believes Hartnell has spring boarded off his win in the PB Lawrence and is going as well as ever.
“Not only were we impressed by his return in the PB Lawrence, where he was able to win comfortably over 1400m, but we’ve been very pleased with him in between runs,” says Cummings.
“We’re very excited about his prospects on the weekend.”
Michael Sullivan agrees that Hartnell looks a clear stand out. “He (Hartnell) is a genuine weight-for-age performer,” says Sullo.
“The last time he raced at Flemington he ran third in a Melbourne Cup, and before that he absolutely trounced in beating the subsequent Caulfield Cup winner Jameka by three and a half lengths.”
“Loves the mile and gets the services of the best in the business in Kerrin McEvoy. Hard to see him getting beaten.”
Bet on the Makybe Diva here:
https://www.bluebet.com.au/Australian-Racing/Flemington/Race-7/2211834/win
Racing Offer: Have a fixed win bet in any Group 1 thoroughbred race in September and if your horse runs 2nd or 3rd, get you money back up to $50 as REAL CASH! T&Cs apply. Excludes NSW & SA residents.
For full details and list of eligible events, click here.
