THE KOSCIUSZKO 2020 PREVIEW
RANDWICK RACE 5 – 14:50 AEDT
3YO+ OPEN
1200m
$1,300,000
GOOD 4
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 462x6 | HANDLE THE TRUTH | K DRYDEN | N RAWILLER (13) | 59.0 | $8 |
| 2 | 741x8 | LORD VON COSTA | D SCOTT | B MC DOUGALL (2) | 59.0 | $26 |
| 3 | x384x | REDOUBLE | MITCHELL BEER | TOMMY BERRY (1) | 59.0 | $18 |
| 4 | 0x55x | INTUITION | K GOLDMAN | S CLIPERTON (10) | 59.0 | $21 |
| 5 | 111x2 | FRONT PAGE | G DURYEA | J B MC DONALD (8) | 59.0 | |
| 6 | 2111x | MAN OF PEACE | M DALE | LOUISE DAY (9) | 58.0 | $13 |
| 7 | 116x0 | IRISH SONGS | K GOLDMAN | G BOSS (4) | 57.0 | $51 |
| 8 | 181x3 | LIGULATE | C MORGAN | A GIBBON (11) | 57.0 | $26 |
| 9 | 15x1x | TWO BIG FARI | T HOWLETT | G BUCKLEY (6) | 56.5 | $16 |
| 10 | 222x4 | AL MAH HAHA | TASH BURLEIGH | K JENNINGS (5) | 56.0 | $41 |
| 11 | 11x17 | FENDER | B CAVANOUGH | K MCEVOY (3) | 55.5 | $9 |
| 12 | 313x1 | ANETHOLE | C MORGAN | B AVDULLA (14) | 55.0 | $29 |
| 13 | 11 | ICE IN VANCOUVER | C MORGAN | G RYAN (12) | 55.0 | $13 |
| 14 | 111 | IT'S ME | B CAVANOUGH | J R COLLETT (7) | 53.0 | $2.15 |
| 15 | 58217 | AKASAKI | S C JONES | 58.0 | $101 | |
| 16 | 21148 | KOOKABAA | B THOMPSON | 56.5 | $91 | |
| 17 | 8x658 | JULIAN ROCK | JEAN DUBOIS | 56.0 | $91 | |
| 18 | 26695 | PRAIRIE FIRE | D J WILLIAMS | 56.0 | $51 |
OVERVIEW
It’s been an interesting lead up into this year’s Kosciuszko, with Front Page scratched just 24 hours prior to the race after sustaining injuries after a float incident. The unbeaten It’s Me dominates the early betting market, but also has some question marks surrounding her after she underwent a vet inspection on Friday morning. Last year’s winner Handle The Truth looks to defend his title in what looks to be a very interesting race.
SPEED MAP
Speed looks to be genuine here with noted frontrunners Fender, Man of Peace & Two Big Fari engaged. They should be the top three, with Ice In Vancouver likely to push forward from a wider barrier. Al Mah Haha and Handle The Truth look to be the next pair. Favourite It’s Me draws a reasonable barrier in 7, but will still have some work to do. Intuition and Ligulate should be the backmarkers here.
KEY RUNNERS
- MAN OF PEACE ($13)
The bold frontrunner was in imperious form last prep, scoring four wins and finishing no worse than third in his seven starts. He’s first up off a 62 day spell and has never won first up, but I think he’ll be ready to go today. He’ll make his own luck out in front and with the right run can feature in the finish.
- FENDER ($9)
This lightly raced gelding has only had five races in his short career, yet he’s won an impressive four times, working his way through the grades nicely. His sole defeat came last start at Rosehill in the Group 2 Theo Marks, where he was sent out in front but tired late to finish 2.7L away. He’s been given a freshen since and he can certainly hit back here.
- IT’S ME ($2.15)
Has been ultra impressive in her three starts so far, generally settling toward the rear of the field and unleashing a powerful sprint to overcome her rivals. She’s won by no less than 2 lengths in all three starts and looks a deserving favourite here. However, after undergoing a vet inspection on Friday, it’s possible she’ll be below her best, and that’s certainly something punters will want to weigh up when taking the shorts.
BLUEY’S PICK
- MAN OF PEACE ($13)
There’s just a few too many question marks surrounding the favourite here for me to take the short price. She could turn up and blow them away, but I’d prefer to go with some value in Man Of Peace. He’s racing in excellent form and will make his own luck out in front. He’s first up today which is a small query, but he’s coming off a short spell and has trialled leading into this. I think he’ll be right to go and should give you a good run for your money.
