Sydney Specials: Randwick – 17th September 2022

Won’t be easy backing up last Saturday, everything played nice and straight, here's hoping we get similar on Saturday.

Bit of uncertainty around the track condition at Randwick, though just easier to assume it will be rain affected (hoping the better side of heavy).

ZOUGOTCHA winning the Darley Silver Shadow Stakes
ZOUGOTCHA winning the Darley Silver Shadow Stakes Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

The Chris Waller trained Zougotcha won the Silver Shadow Stakes in fine style first up, beating home three subsequent winners.

She beat North Star Lass by 1.6L and Willinga Beast 2.8L who then ran the Quinella in the Furious, with little separating the pair on the line.

In Secret who was an unlucky second behind Zougotcha then won the Run To The Rose and is now the Golden Rose favourite.

Her form-lines are hard to ignore and while on trial at the trip there is little to suggest it will be an issue.

Kept fresh (28 days) she has since trialled well and has drawn to get every possible for McDonald, who links back aboard.

The Furious proved quite the slog and I think the decision to bypass that race will work in her favour, she has the fresh legs.

Hard to suggest inside 2-1 is massive overs, however I do think she is the most likely winner on Saturday.

I AM LETHAL winning the Petaluma (Bm72) at Randwick in Australia.
I AM LETHAL winning the Petaluma (Bm72) at Randwick in Australia. Picture: Steve Hart

One that I do feel is a big price early is the John O'Shea trained I Am Lethal.

Returning as a gelding, the son of I Am Invincible was only seen twice last preparation, finishing last (of four) in the Arrowfield Sprint and 11th in the Fred Best Classic.

A winner of three of his nine starts, he has displayed good ability and not judging him too harshly on his recent efforts.

Love the fact McDonald rode him in both his trials and had it not been for the weight, confident he would be riding him on Saturday.

Gets in very well down on the minimum and this is the easiest race he has contested since winning with a leg in the air back in January (his three subsequent starts have all been in Stakes company).

Drawn the middle of the line, he should be able to lob a spot midfield before producing him in the straight.

I could easily mark him favourite (and have), hence the $10 looks a great bet.

Simon Dinopoulos' Tips:

Race 6 #5 Zougotcha @ $2.70
Race 10 #14 I Am Lethal @ $10


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