20 Minutes to Post Ep 220 (Missile Stakes Day)

We're back! Spring is in the air as the Missile Stakes headlines a bumper 10-race program at Randwick in Sydney. Is it Angel Capital's Day? Or can something spoil the party for favourite backers. Thanks for listening as always, and Good Luck on the Punt.

Follow us on Twitter/X @thesidelineheat and on Facebook for all the late mail, tips, news and opinions.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

We're right to run. Red light now. Ready to run. They're all set and they're off and racing. The gates crash back in Wagga Wagga.

SPEAKER_01 0:10

Hello and welcome to another special edition of the 20 Minutes to Post podcast. We are back. I'm your host, Nathan Keevan. Maxie, he will be one week uh longer uh on his hiatus away. Still in the paddock, still warming into the preparation as Josh and I join you yet again. We had a bit of a let up on ourselves, and now we're back with a spring campaign, and it all starts with some stakes racing at Randwick this Saturday. It's missile stakes day, some nice horses, only a field of eight, but an interesting smaller field to try and sink our teeth into and break down this weekend. Josh, as I bring you in, spring is in the air, obviously the middle of August. Well, we're heading into the middle of August, and now some really good horses starting to come back. Maybe not the highest quality, but we get a good feature to sink our teeth into this weekend. How are you doing? How'd you enjoy the offseason? I know uh we had a bit of royal ascot, a bit of glorious Goodwood, so I'm sure you would have had plenty of bets going around for those. But how are you?

SPEAKER_00 1:06

Yeah, good thanks, Nathan. Yeah, the international race has been great this time of year. Goodwood's just been the Judmont Festival at York, the Ebor Festival getting off soon over there in a couple of weeks. But yeah, had a nice little layoff, but glad to be back. The horse's birthday last week, and we're heading towards the end to winter and start of the spring. And there's some nice horses returning over the next couple of weeks, and looking forward to getting into this card at Ramwick. Looks a nice uh tricky little card, though, with a few horses resuming, but happy uh to get into it. Max obviously away this week, but I'm sure he won't be too far away.

SPEAKER_01 1:45

No, and he has flicked through a couple of best bets for the weekend as well, so we will catch up with those at the end of the podcast. Before we dive in to the Quaddy Legs at Randwick, that is what we will obviously be talking about this Saturday. Just want to get your thoughts very briefly, Josh, very quickly. We've seen a couple of interesting horses come back to the trials. Sir Delius has had a step out at Randwick. We saw uh Autumn Glow as well and a few other key runners, and one that'll be showing up this weekend in the missile. Angel Capital. Chris Waller talked about it uh during the week or uh a couple of weeks ago actually, just about this horse sort of where they will want to show up first up this preparation. Obviously, we'll talk about Angel Capital in a bit more depth in a second, but these big horses that'll be coming back, sort of just get your gauge uh on your autumn glows and Cerdilius's. I thought they were a nice, nice little piece of work uh from those two potential stars of the spring.

SPEAKER_00 2:38

Yeah, I thought um it was a bit of a negative, unfortunately, with Ayana getting her leg over the top of the barrier there in the barrier trial earlier this week. But no, nice bits of work, obviously. Um, I believe the grand final still cox plate with Sir Delius Autumn Glow. Not sure what her grand final is gonna be, but they both look in for nice preps. There's one I will mention because it came over my way for a barrier trial over here in Tamworth, and that's a horse called Cormier that ran second to Tron Bolt there, and the JJ Atkins up in uh Queensland there, and the Group 1 as a two-year-old coming back as a three-year-old there. And this horse looks like it's in for a good campaign. I really like the troll there, and going forward, yeah, he'll be running in these big three-year-old races, the golden roses and things like that. So look out for Cormier on its return. I think he'll win a couple of races coming into this prep. But yeah, we're not too far away from the from the big horses returning, and then um you got your other internationals that are coming over short, like your Trinity colleges and horses like that that might be in for interesting preps later on in the spring.

SPEAKER_01 3:57

Yep, very excited to be getting into that. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Let's dive into this weekend. There are four races we need to tip the eyes out of, and those are the Quaddy leagues at Randwick. So get your slips ready to rock and roll because Josh and I are going to try and find a winner or two across those races. Let's start with the first leg of the Quaddy. We are at Randwick, uh, rail out plus four metres here, and hopefully uh on the better side of a soft track, closer to a good, you would have thought. It's currently a soft six, as we record on Thursday night. Nothing but sunny skies are scheduled for the weekend, so you would imagine we should be closer to that good four come Saturday afternoon. But race seven, first leg of the quarter, three o'clock. It is the Premier's Cup prelude over the 1800 metres. And a horse that is putting that picket fence together won three in a row so far uh this campaign. Well, four of its last five, actually, and that's number five, Tazima. J Mac, James McDonald is back in the saddle. Chris Wallach, this very, very talented son of Autard, is going around a very short price favourite. $2.15 comes uh uh Tazima. Second favourite, horse has been beaten twice by Tazima this preparation. Down the bottom of the page, number 14, Bonnie Face. We've got Matuson there at the 850, double figures the rest. Josh, really interesting race to kick us off in the quaddy. Are you gonna go short here? Are you gonna stick around that favorite mark, or is there a little bit of value you've gone uh searching for in the first league of the Ramwick Quaddy?

SPEAKER_00 5:23

No, I've landed with Tassima on top, but I am gonna say I'm uh not 100% confident with Tosima at the price. Tassima has been going great. It's one its last three. I thought they were all really, really good wins, but that was on heavy and soft decks. This horse, I believe, is a bit bit better with a bit of given the ground. Soft five should be fine. But if we get into that good range, I'm not saying it can't win, but $2.15 is quite short a mark for this horse. But you're getting J Mac jump on, so you're getting that J Mac tax I understand. And um, if it runs to how it's been doing its last few, I do see it getting a picket fence run here from gate one and being too good. So I'll put it on top with a little bit of hesitance just at the price quoting for a second. I'll put in Bonnieface. This horse has been going really good. The two runs have been very good buying Tosima. Gets a bit of a weight swing this weekend on Tosima, which could make the difference. Also, like I said, getting onto that better grand might be a positive as well for Bonnie Face. $3.50. That's about right, I think, and the market should run a really strong race there from gate six. In for third, I really like the return of Matuslam first up behind General Salute and from $1,400 straight up to $1,800 meters second up, a little trial in between runs, and this horse can run really well. I think there's a bit of market support already for this horse, and with the clamorcy and a grimer for Walla, that combo's gone really well during the winter months. So they're around $8.50. That's a nice little H-way play there, too. And then for fourth, another one, if you like a bit of failure in the race. Number 12, Fortune. I thought that run first up buying Mr. Chaplin at Grafton was very, very good. Um, got to know, right? Second up record, loves the track. So gate 11, a bit awkward, probably has to go back again. Annara Farage jumps on there for Danabo and Rob Archibald camp. But $23, I think this is the horse that's at the wrong price in the race. So I think horses like Matuslam and Fortune are the bit of foul in the race, but I've landed with Tosima on top.

SPEAKER_01 7:44

Tussima for Josh. Maybe Fortune, uh, one you can throw in as an extra horse in your quaddy selections. For me, I'm actually going with one of the horses you mentioned, Josh, and that's Matusalim. I think number six in your form guide. I think it's a really good bet here, especially on the each way. I think one by four is how I'm gonna be playing Matusalum. I love that first up effort behind General Salute. I know you see SP of around 200 to one, and you probably get a little bit uh itchy uh with that sort of price, Nego's stomach around that $859, but you've got to remember first up, 1400 metres, never his go, especially with Sock Ground back on top of the ground here, second up, has a second up profile, one second up in the past. And you go back to his run third up, last preparation over the mulley, ran a horse called Gringotts. Now, a horse like that, albeit over 1800 metres, would be ultra competitive in a race like this. In fact, you'd have it marked a very short favourite, just on class alone. Now, like you mentioned, Josciana Grimer in the saddle, back down to 54 kilos, firm ground, second up profile, 1800 metres here. And for me, barrier three just gets that lovely run. If they can just get it to jump evenly, I think each way, you sort of get that $2.40 on the placeline, $250 on the placeline. Happy to be chiming in on the each way here. One of the better each way players of the day here for me, number six, Matusal him in for second. How can you knock Tazima? Absolutely flying at the moment, and honestly had every right to be beaten there last time out with Bonnie Face looming up, sat wide the trip, was able to sustain that run uh when winning uh at this course and distance, albeit on a heavy track, but did it really, really impressively. Putting that picket fence together, as I alluded to, but like I also like you also alluded to, Josh, just loves this course and distance, just keeps showing up at random, keeps winning, and um you know, winning forms, good form. So I can totally understand where you're coming from, having Tazima on top. Sienna Grimer, obviously, she gets uh she has to sort of force her way down onto Matusalum because we get J Mac in the saddle on Tazima. In for third, going with Bonnie Face, as you alluded to, same reasons, obviously right behind that right form line. You would have thought uh with Tazima. Can they turn the tables with that weight swing? Not sure, but you should get the chance there with the 52 on your back with Tyler Schiller from a soft draw as well in barrier six. And then in for fourth, I've tracked number 11. That's Poison Chalice. Uh, horse have had plenty of time for. Actually, had a little bet on this horse last time out when beaten by Rock Empire. I think now fourth up into the campaign. Another horse I think could peak on uh uh maybe needs one more run before peaking in this campaign. Uh maybe getting out to 2,000 metres. But Poison Chalice, uh, since joining Joe Pride has been a decent type. And I think it definitely has a race in it. Whether or not it's this one, I'm not sure. But maybe one you can keep safe in my quaddy as well. So very interesting race to kick us off there, the Premier's Cup Prelude. But now let's drive into the missile stakes. The group two $300,000 feature that we were keen to talk about for this Saturday. And all the talk is around Yulong's purchase. Still hasn't won that group one, still can't this Saturday, but can go in a step in the right direction here, and that's number one. That's Angel Capital, J Mac Waller combining it again. $2.60 for the favourite. Second left in the market here, number seven, Gangster Granny. Good support here. Uh opened around that $4 now into $3.70 for the Clark and Team Hawks. Had some nice runs last preparation, couldn't really draw a draw a barrier last prep. Mostly against the girls. Now it goes against the boys. Then we got Napoleonic, uh, sorry, Ninja, pardon me, on the third line of betting there around the $4. Napoleonic $6.50. Midnight Dynamite, uh, a mile type coming back to the sprinting trips, but does have that rock hard fitness at around that $9. And then you're getting massive prices for the rest. So an interesting market, Josh. Only the eight horses, but five of them engaged here, all under double figures, all in the single digits. Are you going towards Angel Capital? I know it's been one of ours that sort of we've been thinking it can it find that group one success. Obviously, not a group one, uh, the missile stakes, but this group two feature looks very winnable to my eye. I'm keen to get your thoughts.

SPEAKER_00 11:32

Well, I'm gonna leak a bit of controversy. There's gonna be a bit of controversy in this pod next week because Max is sending a message into the chat, boys, and essentially he's making Angel Capital lay of the day. You get what you deserve if you back this horse, boys. Max is heavily against Angel Capital, and I am definitely with Angel Capital this weekend. I've got Angel Capital on top. This is one of the, I don't want to say weak, but one of the uh less strong races Angel Capital's been in in a really long time. This horse has been up against some quality horses in its last prep, or against horses like Joel Eastark, A Ballas, Jigsaw, and Baywok. I think this is a level below that. $2.20 earlier in the week was a bit short. We're getting out to a better price now, around that $2.80. Maybe even get to $3. I think that's a good price to take with J Mac, Angel Capital, barrier free. Just needs to jump. And if this horse can sit midfield one off and use that turn of foot that we know it's got, I think it will be too strong in this race. Um, just has the class, in my opinion, and has a great first start record. So Angel Capital on top from Napoleonic. I think this is the horse that's probably the wrong price. I can market around that $5 mark. You're getting $6.50 right now. That the prep up in Queensland didn't go to plan, but I like a horse that goes up there and freshens and has nice trolls coming into its spring campaign. This horse profiles really nicely. It's first up run two preps ago behind Tempted at the track and trip there. It runs close to that run from gate seven. I think it's a really nice each-way play around the $650.75. So they're the two I've got in my top two on the race. Andrew Cavanaugh Napoleonic. Gangsta Granny in for third. Draws a lovely gate first up here. It's a great record. Never not run top three. Put it in for third, though, because I do see a lot of speed in this race with fully lit and way to the stars. So may not get its own way. Might have to do a bit of work here first up, but can see that it has a great record first up and at the track. And then Ninja in for fourth. It's an interesting one, Ninja. You could go either way, you could put in for fourth, or you could easily put it on top. It's just where they get to in the run. Gate six, I feel like with the speed they go back, is this horse read the go first up? It's never won first up, but it's had two trolls against Napoleonic, and they were both really good. So if they've come here this weekend to run at its best and can uh come over the top, I feel like Angel Capital win, which I feel like it's gonna have to from that gate to win, then too good. You're getting four dollars to find out, and a win would definitely not shock. But for me, Napoleonics weren't the wrong price, but Angel Capital, it should be winning this weekend.

SPEAKER_01 14:48

Yeah, we pull out the M-word a few times on this potty. We know we like to. Uh the them. I'm not going to pull out for Angel Capital, not crazy, but I've got it on top. Uh I keep looking at this race, and I just think the quality that he possesses on his day is just too good for this field. Um, look, I think Ninja, the main danger, and she'll get and I'll get to my reasons in a minute, but look, Angel Capital for me, it's just the setup here. Drawn that lovely gate in barrier three, J Mac takes the reins. The two trials heading into this race were really, really good. First up last prep, I was pretty keen to back this horse when beaten by Jolly Star, but everything went wrong. There was a vet examination before the race, missed the start, got back in a small field. And you look at that race though. I mean, we're talking about horses like Jolly Star and Lady Shenandoah, that's the A-grade mares uh going around in Australian racing at the moment. So I'm happy to be trusting that form line. Was good behind Cabalas, and then I mean, just a sensation licked uh when beaten by Jigsaw, and that horse went on to go and win a quaka. So I think the form lines are sound uh heading back in the group two company, uh albeit with some reservations, you're gonna have to have them uh with a horse that doesn't quite get that winning uh feeling back uh for some time. But I just think this is the right setup, good speed on, finds the 1-1, should be peeling out and going very, very close. And uh, like you say, Josh, 260, 280. I mean, what's this horse get to? Maybe you get a little power play of some kind. I think $3, I think is you know, that that's a pretty keen bet for mine. Not by no means a moral uh this weekend, but I do think uh is the logical one to be backing. So I'm happy to have a decent bet on Angel Capital this weekend. In for second or going ninja, uh, like you said, this is the horse that you think could just come out and absolutely spank them or run last. I just don't know what to do with it. Uh I thought the two trials have been very, very good. And you look at the form lines, you see uh absolutely destroyed Napoleonic, uh, who you've sort of made a case for, so you can tie them into each other. That run at Eagle Farm last preparation was just unbelievable. One of the sort of visually stunning wins uh of the winter. Uh oh early part of the year, early part of last year I should say. So just one of those uh early part of this year, goodness me. Uh it's just one of those things where can it come out and replicate that sort of level? If it does, the $4 looks juicy. So look, you can maybe argue have a Quinella or something, but uh goes in for second out of just pure respect, great strike rate, has only missed the frame once in its uh in its very short career. So Ninja, I think a very, very hard uh hard horse to place, but could definitely be powering over the top and getting the win here. Uh chucked in Gangster Granny uh for all the reasons you outlined in there for third, had a really good preparation last prep, just had the one win, and looks disappointing. But the two runs since it just drew absolute car park barriers, sat wide, no cover, both behind Rosalind Star and in flight. So you can forgive it. I do think he's a little bit under the odds here with the 54 and a half kilos, but being um one of the only, well, the only mare in this race, you'd imagine, uh, gets that little bit of weight relief and could be a big deal. Um uh come Saturday. So look, I do think a little unders there at the 370, but Gangsta Granny's got to be respected. And then info fourth chucked into Polyonic, uh, all the reasons you outlined as well, Josh. A little bit disappointing when well held by Headley Grange, but that was against the older horses uh in a very tough race. So you can forgive that run. The run behind uh Roth Fire was very good though uh in the Doom and 10,000. So replicate something like that, 650, maybe fair enough. But yeah, I just kept coming back to Angel Capital, not with a stack of confidence, but I just think that's the class horse. And sometimes uh when a lot of horses have have reservations and also a little bit of a fitness uh query, I'll take the best horse. And for me, at this stage, that's Angel Capital. Right, let's jump into the third uh leg of the Quaddy here, Josh. Race number nine. It is a benchmark 78 for the Phillies and Mares, over 1200 metres. Probably the weakest race we're gonna be covering of the lot uh on this week's edition of the podcast. But there's a winner to be found. Scripted the favourite here at $3.80. Uh down the bottom of the page, second line of being, we've got Ernaud was very good uh last start around 460. Rose $5 and the top of the page, Marie $5.50. Jalicious, $6.50, double figures every other runner. Josh, uh pretty tough little race here uh in the penultimate of the program at Randwick.

SPEAKER_00 19:02

Where'd you land? Uh the market's got the race about right, but I'm with the horse on top that I feel like we've both had an opinion of that's got a bit of potential, maybe hasn't uh risen to that potential yet, but think might be able to run quite well this week. And that's number 11, Rose. I think this horse uh can win this first up this weekend. It must get to the front though and lead this race from gate 11. He must get across and sit on speed there, Rose. Tommy Berry jumps on for Maddie Dale. One go on this horse for one win, and that was in a, I believe, a highway there over the 1300 meters, and was a demolition job, to be honest. So um, if it can get on speed first, I bear as a great first up record. $5, I think, is a fair enough price to take. In for second, the favorite scripted. Uh, no knock, although he has been a bit costly for punters, especially last prep, but he's been against some really good horses. Poster girl, Dominant Darcy, Warrior for Peace. Maps to get the run of the race, so um, can definitely win. It just maybe a bit too short, going for a bit more foul there with Rose. In for third, I'll put in the tight weight, Marath. I thought the run at the end of last prep was quite good behind Best Scar and um small break, one troll, maybe needs the run, but they've put the claim on, dropping it down to 56.5 kilos with William Stanley on, and another one that I think probably has to push forward to run its best, and then in for fourth, I'll put in Erno. I thought that was a good run back to its best on the week back up there behind Gatwick. Just 16 starts for one win, being a bit costly. I'll put in for fourth, but if it gets its second one this week and it wouldn't shock, it looks quite an even race, but I'll go with Rose on top.

SPEAKER_01 21:03

Yeah, really interesting one, uh, Josh. I'm with you in terms of I want to be against his favourite scripted. Uh, not massive, uh, you know, like big red light lay of the day or anything, but I just think under the odds there at the $3.80, Maddie Dunn, he knows how to place them. I just don't know that this horse is the one I want to be following here first up. Like you said, uh, you know, Warrior of the Peace, a horse that I will make a case for uh later in the podcast on an each-way basis in another race, but um I'm just not sure here first up 1200 metres. Looks a nice type, but there's two horses I want to be backing. You've mentioned both of them, um, and similar on top selections. Uh, I'm gonna have I'm gonna back two horses here. Uh the first one's number one, Marit, as you alluded to. I think uh she comes out of the right form from last preparation. Three year old now, four year old. But out of those three year old races, she was running behind the likes of Bescars, Biedman, uh, Sano, and then also Cafe Florian, who I've got a big opinion of uh at listed grade. Obviously, she broke her maiden and then tried to go take on those big stakes races. Maybe a little bit too tough, but back to A 78 gets the claim with Will Stanley in the saddle. 56 and a half kilos. I think she's really, really well placed here first up after a little bit of a break. Good trial heading into this one as well. And if we have six dollars, I think that's a fair price here for Maurice. So she's on top, and I'll be having a bet on her. And the other one is Rose. Like you said, let fast horses be fast. That win uh in Highway Company was just absolutely breathtaking. They jumped, they led, and they won. Subsequently, they obviously went to the Sapphire Coast and Class 5 company. I believe it's a wild card uh for the um uh for one of those features uh to run in um back in April. Obviously, didn't get the win there, just wide, no cover, didn't work out, forget the run. Comes here after 160 days off, but good first up profile, first up last prep at Walger, gave them a shellacking. Uh obviously, this is much tougher heading to town, but uh Maddie Dale doesn't send them to races like this if he doesn't think they're that they're pretty good, and I think she's pretty good. She's a good uh she's a nice type to be having on your side, I think, in a race like this. And if they want to roll to the top with Tommy Berry in the saddle, I'm more than happy to have a bet on those two. So they're my two plays, uh, number one, Marith, and number 11, Rose A. In for third, chucked in Orno. I thought that it was a really nice run uh last time. Love the margins that Gatwick and Erno actually put on the rest of the field there. Uh on the one-week backup, uh, which is interesting. That was on soft ground last week now. Uh, you'd imagine a bit firmer. Tyler Schiller in the saddle would have been interesting to see what J Mac would have taken. Uh, if he could, I don't know that he can make 54 and a half kilos, but uh, if he could, maybe he would have preferred to take that over at Julish. It's not sure, but he's ended up on this one. Uh uh, sorry, Tyler Schiller's ended up on this one and gets that lovely run from Barrier 3. So if there's one stalking the speed and could power over the top, definitely Erno could be that one. And then in for fourth, I'm just gonna give the punters one you can chuck in at a big price in your quadrille. And that's number five, hell bent on you. I thought the second out run had some merit. I know well beaten by Jarito, uh, and the market uh wants to be hard against, but last preparation, albeit well held in a few races, uh, comes out of some decent uh form lines, and I think just uh back on top of the ground, a little bit of an interesting runner here, third up, bit of fitness on its side, gets a good gate, gets Sienna Grimer with that claim. Just $51, one that I think you can you can humour in your multiples and quaddies. So number five, hellbent on you, uh just squeezed in to the top four, but very keen. Marith and also Rose want to take on this favourite scripted, fair favourite, but I just think a little bit under the odds. Right, let's go to the lucky last. This is the Shandon handicap, 1200 metres, benchmark 78 for the boys and the girls. We uh tough little race this one, Josh. Watson's your favourite, $2.90. Uh, the Waterhouse and Bot trained Gallopper came out and won really, really impressively, holding off clear proof, clear proof, winning midweek. And then you look at Columbia Blue, that's second elect, $4.20. One last time out, albeit on a heavy track. The second horse there, snack bar, rolled by, you guessed it, clear proof. So interesting. You can tie the four lines into each other. Uh other horses in the market. You got number one ready to shine, back in grade, $8.50. Alabama State, $8. Exit fee, $8 as well. Interesting race to end the program, Josh. Find us a winner.

SPEAKER_00 25:10

I'm with the favourite Watson. I think this horse has got a lot of improvement to come. I thought he ran, he didn't run disgracefully his last two runs at the end of the last prep behind Tempted, and then was solid at Canberra behind Aerodrome. I think it's just a better horse on top of the ground, although got the job done there at Canterbury on a soft deck first up. But this horse looks a bit stronger than this grade, in my opinion. This horse uh should be enlisted group, lower group level to me. And I think if it's gonna be doing that, it should be winning this weekend. Tim Clark will try and get a cross and lead from gate 10 there for the Wardhouse bot camp and $2.90. Maybe a bit short, but definitely gonna put Watson on top from Columbia Blue. It was a very good run there. Uh, second up beating Snackbar. But um Snackbar not really a winner, as we've seen in its last few starts. So um third up, going from a heavy deck to a good track, maybe a little bit of a knock, although it's two for one on a good deck. But Adam Haronyus jumps on from a soft gate, will be stalking. It's just whether it can get over the top of Watson. And then for third, if Columbia Blue is $4.20, surely for me, Poker Jack's the wrong price in this race. I can make a case for Poker Jack there at the $19 and was right next to Columbia Blue, less than a length for last start from gate two, gets to dictate terms on speed. Amy McLucas jumps back on as well, who has a great strike rate on the horse with 26 starts for six wins. Doesn't win out the turn, but with a lot of runs under its belt, might be the fit horse coming into the race and just the one I think's at the wrong price. And then in for fourth, I'll put in the top weight, ready to shine. Uh, it's been run really well in its last few starts from gate five, just to six one kilos, but Sienna gets it down to 59. So if uh if the gilding here's got the class, might be able to come over the top. And $8.50 is actually a pretty good price if you uh don't like either of these favourites. But I think Pokejack's the failure, but I'll be having the favourite here on top and the last Watson.

SPEAKER_01 27:29

Yeah, interesting to say that, Josh. I'm gonna take on these faves. Look, I I get where you're coming from, particularly with Watson. I think that's the main uh of the of the the favourite duo that I'm most scared of. But I think you're getting some nice prices here, about two horses in particular. And on top, I'm with number eight here, Alabama State, uh J Mac on board this time around. First up, last preparation, this horse ran an absolute bolter when beating, uh sorry, when just beaten narrowly by Meridiana. Really like that horse as a type. Then second up was beaten by Modella, another one that I've got a lot of time for as well. So I want to trust those form lines. So it got its win at the end of last preparation when beating Iceman. Now I know that horse, another one, as we talk about winning out of turn, that horse doesn't win out of turn either. But I thought the two trials were good, has a good first up profile. I think the speed should be on here. And so with Barrier 9, expect J-Mack to just slide back, let the race unfold. He'll get the last crack, and around that $8, I think is a fair price to find out. So Alabama State for me, I've got on top. And the other one I want to chop out on is the one you mentioned, Josh. Number one, ready to shine. I think it's ready to win again. Thought two back was really good at Rose Hill. That was 1200 metres on a soft track. Absolutely just went straight to the front and kicked and kicked really, really nicely. Subsequently wasn't able to dictate terms when beaten by Romeo's choice, uh, beaten 2.1 legs. But also, I don't think relished that heavy track. I think a little bit closer to a soft, maybe in closer to a good track, should be better. Sienna Grimer gets on really well with this uh son of better than ready. They'll jump, they'll go straight to the top. Watson will be right to its on its hammer as well. So they could tie each other out, but it's just the price profile for me. I think $8.50 is fair enough after that six uh $3.60 SP last time, back in grade, back to uh uh the the class where uh this horse was able to win last time. So I think Readershine can bounce back. Uh, even for third gone with Watson. Um clear uh uh of the favourite duo, yeah, as I alluded to, definitely the one I'm most scared of. I think could be able to dictate and just win. I thought it was a really impressive win there first up, now comes to town, second up. I thought definitely the one to beat. It'll be leading a long, long way out. Uh, just either Alabama State can stalk them and win, or maybe a little uh cheeky give uh to the inside there with ready to shine. But Watson clearly got to be right there, and then Columbia Blue uh rounds out that top four. Just an out and out winner, great strike rate, eight eight starts for four wins and three minor placings. So expect this horse to be right there yet again with Hippo in the saddle. So that's it for the races we're gonna cover. But before we press on and uh give away our best bets, Josh, we've got to go to Maxie. Uh he's chimed in with a couple of his best bets. I'll pull them up now uh in the group chat, if you will. Uh, we're gonna go all at Randwick, uh, says Maxie. We're gonna stay there.

SPEAKER_00 30:09

No, it's got that, Nathan, but I believe his last tip is actually the last at Caulfield.

SPEAKER_01 30:16

Oh, okay. Oh yeah, you wouldn't you are not mistaken. So we'll get to that uh in a second, but we'll go with his ones that he's got at Randwick at least. Uh, because yeah, you're right. There's uh no spoiler, there's no Ellie Lou in the last at Randwick uh or in the second last at Randwick. So what are we doing there, uh? Uh but we'll continue on uh as we look at his best bets. We'll go back to earlier in the program, race number two on the program at Randwick. That is obviously the highway race. A horse that Maxie's had a lot of time for. One of his next best on the program here. We've got Karen McAvoy and the Kavanaugh team combining with number four, Zumbo. Uh horse comes out of some nice races uh as a younger horse, as a three-year-old mare. Uh obviously, when beaten by Mahoon, I remember there was a big sprue that day, albeit at a big price. So he expected to come out and run well. Well, last time I was in a highway, was actually only just knotted off by a horse called So Magnificent. So comes out of some decent form lines, been a long time off for the daughter of Zoo Star, but she's got ability on her day, does Zumbo. So Max says, I'm gonna give it another chance. We're gonna go to race number six for another one from Maxi. Another interesting run. I know he's tipped this horse up a few times. We're gonna go to number six in the race. It's an each way he prospected around that ten dollars, and that is Daruva. Uh, he's tipped this horse uh two back when beaten by one arua. It's won every start around it, though, to be fair. Two at Mussebrook, and then it's one at last start there at Grafton, uh, over the thousand metres. Comes back to a benchmark 88 and looks ready to win again. I can understand where he's coming from. Got that picket fence, winners win, and this horse continues to be doing that. So Daruva in race number six. To one of the features we covered, that's race number seven, the premier uh premiers cup prelude. Max is going for a big each-way shout here, Josh. Number one, Elais. Very interesting runner. Obviously, uh a horse that had great prospects uh in its first couple of Australian campaigns, gone off the boil of lately and shows up now in a benchmark, uh, and pardon me in an open company race. First up before it was disappointing, uh albeit over 400 metres behind Midnight Dynamite at listed company, but now a couple more trials. Maxi says, willing to forgive. Barrier four, a little bit of a claim there with the hoop on board, and now could be ready to win here second up at a big price. So I'm not about to say it can't win. Elayas in race number seven. Go to race number eight. That's the missile, as we alluded to, as Josh alluded to, big against uh here against uh Angel Capital. Maxi says, we are chips in, we are all over Napoleonic, uh, a horse that Josh gave a big sprue to as well. So punters want to follow Maxi in this weekend, you're getting a spruk that way as well from Josh. So Napoleonic around that $657. Uh a nice price there for the son of Wooten Bassett. Hasn't been able to sort of win in a while, but does come out of some good races and could definitely be getting that win this Saturday. And we've got one more at uh pardon me, at Randwick. That's pardon me, the one, sorry, the one at Caulfield uh that Josh is correctly uh found for us. Got to go to the last at Caulfield, that's race number nine. Number two, Elelu. Uh it was a good run actually last time at Rose Hill when beaten by Romeo's choice. We learned that form uh that form line with uh Ready to Shine in the last uh at Randwick. So back to Melbourne goes this one. Damian Lane, Frosty Lane in the saddle of Ellie Lou. Uh should be around that soft deck as well. This horse loves a bit of sting out of the ground, so back uh to uh Caulfield should be uh a positive, uh especially with the ground, a little bit of give. Uh when was good last time as well. It ran in Melbourne behind curve a lot, and that horse has been going very, very well this preparation. So that's another one for Maxi El Lou in the last at Caulfield. So bouncing around for Max's best bets. But Josh, we've seen his. What about you? How are you vibing this weekend? Very interesting day of racing.

SPEAKER_00 34:03

Uh, there might be a couple or two bet strats coming on here, Nathan, because I'm again I'm against Max in a couple of races where he's put some best bets in. But we'll start with my best at Ramwick, and we're going against Max here, and we're going to race number six. Max is with Darova. I can see why. It's a great strike rate. But I'm with a horse here, first up, number 10, that Cormi Gorgeous, I think, can run a really strong race here first up. Went really well in its first prep here in Australia, coming from Hong Kong. Won its first two runs and then was third. I thought unlucky behind Midnight Dynamite. Then just got too far back in a race dominated on speed by Wana Rua. So Derova and Cormy Gorgeous both come out of the same form line. Loved the two trolls. Short break, 84-day break, great first start record. Kieran McAvoy jumps on $4.60. I think it's a great price. So Cormy Gorgeous for me there, race six, number 10 at Sydney. Then we're going to go down the Corfield Heath for a couple of best bets. And we're going to start in race number two, which is a 1,500 meter benchmark 70. And we're with the second elect here on top, number six botanical boy. I really like the first up run there behind Karhoff. Just got too far back there. But heavy deck. Should probably be playing on a soft deck this weekend. I think it'll handle it all right. I think it'll be ready to go there from a soft gate in gate two, second up. Goes up a bit of weight, but uh drops a bit of class here. And I really liked its runs coming to the end of last prep. So around the $4.20, I think Botanical Boy can bounce back here second up at the Caulfield Heath. Now my 30 runner of the weekend, I'm going against Max again in the lucky lassies with number two LOU at around the $9.50. I think we can have a two-bed strat here. We're both happy to take on changing colours to $2 favorite, a bit too short. But for me, my 30 runner is in this race, and I'm with number nine, Currawood. Now, totally forgive that first run behind Karhoff. I like that form line. We've had touchdown come out and blitzed them from that form line last weekend. So I think it's a good form line to follow. But it missed the start on a heavy deck last start. They kicked up and it just died off late in that run first up off a 381-day spell after free trial. So just forget that run. Johnny Allen jumps on there for the Gavin Bedge good camp. They've got a great combination together from gate seven. I think they can stalk the speed. And I think this also got a little bit of class. And at around $23, I think you're getting great value here. So Currawood, I'll make my value runner of the weekend. Now I've got one more for you, Nathan. We're going overseas, and on Sunday night, we've got a group one there over in Gerl uh over in Berlin at Hoppergarten. It's the Grosseprifon Berlin over the mile and a half. And we're with Godolphin here, but we're with Sidebins Siror Godolphin with four Hammer Hansen on. Number five at Tornado Alert. Now this horse has not been seen in a while. We have not seen this horse since it won a Groot 1 over in Germany and Munich over 2,000 metres back in July last year. So it's had a bit of time off. Before that, it ran second at Royal Ascot behind Trinity College. And when it won the Groot 1 at the end of its prep last year, it beat a horse called Mappa Stars, which won at Royal Ascot this year and is coming actually for a Cox plate, which J Mac jumped on. This horse is a bit of class, and they wouldn't be running it first up over a mile and a half in a Groot 1 if he didn't think it could run a really strong race. So Tornado Alert Sunday night at Hopper Garden for me is my best overseas to go with Cormi Gorgeous, Cara Wood, and Botanical Boy for the best bets for me this weekend.

SPEAKER_01 38:30

Yeah, it wouldn't be a podcast unless Josh chimed in with a bit of international flavour. So interesting. Tornado alert. We're going over to Berlin of all places. So hopefully we get a nice kitty fill up on Saturday for the Sunday night. Right, my best bets. I've got a stack. I'll try and get through them pretty quickly. We'll go over to Randwick here for my main best bets, my best of the of the day anywhere in the country. We're actually going to go earlier in the day. This race number three at Randwick over the 400 metres. I'm very, very keen on number five, A Vista. This would be winning and winning well. I thought the last start win was sensational. Uh that albeit at uh Marcelbrook. I love the win. I know it was a benchmark 66, but absolutely blitz them. Nice barrier trial there under the bully bullock. Was phenomenal that day. Now there are some nice horses in this race, obviously. Nutlebull Jane, uh, Dusty Bay, Persian Wonder, they all come out of some really nice races. But Avista, I think she I think uh this uh four-year-old by Maurice is absolute quality. Firming deck should be ideal. 1,500 metres back to 14. Gets that lovely cart there from Barrier 4, J Mac in the saddle. Yeah, taking a bit of a price cut because of that, but I think Avista will be winning and winning very, very well. We go to race number four and a little bit of an each way play in this race. It's a 70 benchmark 78 over the 2400 metres. Can they give it another chance here, number six, Trappalander? What was a nice enough effort there behind Sly Boots, got every chance, but I think stepping out to 2400 metres here, fourth up in the campaign, ready to peak. Against some horses that aren't really noted winners. I know L.D. Hudson's won two in a row, but outside of that, just a bunch of horses that I'm not sure have been sort of looking for that picket fence. Masoon, Golden Century, and even though La Trasseur won last, I'm happy to take it on there. And I think we're getting a nice enough price here with Chapolanda, each way all day for me. Race four, number six. Uh, the Annaball or the Archibald team, I think, have a nice horse there. Value. We're going to race number five. So we're just going race book order at the moment. This is a 78 over the mile. Two horses here around that $10 on your backing. Uh, that's number seven, Warrior for Peace. I thought the first up run was excellent behind Soyu Pence. That was over 1300 metres. Now stepping out to the mole here, second up. A little bit of an awkward draw, but hopefully Karen McAvoy can get a nice run there for Kavanaugh for the Kavanaugh team, as he will on Zumbo earlier in the program. And number eight, Kenmere Bay. Uh going really well. I think you forgive that run behind Skeletrix. The sort of got back to last, missed the start. I want to be forgiving of that effort. Go back to the first up effort where it won over the 1550, albeit on a heavy track. I thought was a really nice piece of work. Horse very rarely misses the frame, too. 22 starts for four wins and 12 minor placings. So maybe that way on the each way if you want it to be, if you want to bet in that fashion. Then we're going to go to Caulfield. Uh, a couple of bets that I'm keen on there. Gonna go to race number one. This is a sort of a two-value play uh in the opening event. It's over it's an open company race over 1200 metres. Very interesting. The market's very heavy with number seven here stakes. I like the two at the top of the page. Number one, Rich on Bubbles. I think is a nice price there with the claim of Jackson Radley. Go and have a look at those win, that win, pardon me, last preparation at Corfield. I thought it was a really nice win. Replicate something like that, I think can be coming into a race like this and carry the weight and still one run well here. The son of capitalists. I think $9 a fair price here. Rich on bubbles. And number two, Leopard Shark. Out of that uh River Arena Lulu form, we've seen horses come out and win from that form. Thought was probably the best run in the race, uh, running into the minor money. And now, second up, two Corfield, nice draw. They're the two I'll back, Rich on bubbles and leopard shark. And a vista was my best bet at Randwick. I'm happy to have a little multi with that into race number six, down the bottom of the page, number nine, custom. Going very, very well. You can multi those two together. A Vista into Custom. Probably the best multi anywhere in the country for mine this weekend. And that is how I'll be betting those best bets on the weekend. Josh, thank you so much for joining us. We're back. Hopefully, we've kicked off uh the the new year of potty or the new financial year of podcasts, I suppose, uh, with a few winners this weekend. Thank you for joining me as always.

SPEAKER_00 42:37

Nah no worries, buddy. Thanks. Me looking forward to this weekend. I think we've found a couple of winners there and looking forward to this weekend. Looking forward to Max getting back in the next couple of weeks.

SPEAKER_01 42:47

Yes, we look forward to getting Maxie back on. He can tell us all about why Angel Capital was the lay of the day and why it didn't win on Saturday. We'll find out uh as spectators obviously very excited to have some good horses back, and we'll see if Angel Capital can get it done in the missile and if we can maybe book the punt as a quaddy or two this weekend. Thanks for joining us as always. Thank you so much for listening. Oh, and one more thing good luck on the punt.

SPEAKER_02 43:11

We're right to run. Red light now. Ready to run. They're all set and they're off and racing. The gates crash back in Wagga Wagga.