This Saturday, January 9, the Royal Randwick Racecourse is set to host its third race meeting of 2010. Although the focus of thoroughbred racing in the country will be at the Gold Coast in Queensland for the coveted Magic Millions Raceday, there are still a range of quality races taking place at Randwick where some of the finest up-and-coming runners are getting experience on the track in anticipation of the upcoming Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Prolific trainer Gai Waterhouse has a few handy gallopers competing at Randwick on Saturday, including her strong stayer Lorne Dancer in the opening race, the Randwick Betting Auditorium Handicap (1600m). Lorne Dancer is currently second favourite at $3.20 behind the John O’Shea-trained Informality at $2.70.
Waterhouse’s other strong chance at the meeting is with three-year-old Kinnersley in race five, the Naturalism Handicap (1600m). Kinnersley is the clear favourite in the betting markets at $3.40 following his sensational win at the same track on New Year’s Day, and will start from barrier four.
Judicial in race two, the Mahogany Handicap (1200m) is the other last-start victor for Waterhouse backing up on Saturday. Judicial is currently second favourite at $3.50 behind the Peter Snowden-trained Killian at $2.50.
Talented jockey Hugh Bowman has picked up the rides for the Waterhouse at Randwick, following the stable’s two other star riders, Nash Rawiller and Blake Shinn, both engaged at the Gold Coast Magic Millions this weekend.
Bowman will also mount two-year-old Spot The Rock in his debut in the Autumn Carnival Package On Sale Now Handicap (1000m) for trainer Tim Martin from barrier one; the Chris Waller-trained Bright Mind in the Eremein Handicap (2000m); Visa Lisa in the Octagonal Handicap (1200m); and Ourbillydakid in the closing race of the day the BIG6 Jackpot Today Handicap.
The Randwick Racecourse gates open at 11:30am and the first race of the eight-event programme is due to commence at 1:10pm.
Randwick Race Programme – Saturday January 9:
Race # |
Race Name |
Distance |
Prizemoney |
Type |
| 1 | RANDWICK BETTING AUDITORIUM HANDICAP | 1600m | $70 000 | 3YO&Up Benchmark 95 |
| 2 | MAHOGANY HANDICAP | 1200m | $70 000 | 3YO Benchmark 70 |
| 3 | AUTUMN CARNIVAL PACKAGE ON SALE NOW HANDICAP | 1000m | $70 000 | 2YO |
| 4 | EREMEIN HANDICAP | 2000m | $70 000 | 3YO&Up Benchmark 85 |
| 5 | NATURALISM HANDICAP | 1600m | $70 000 | 3YO Benchmark 67 |
| 6 | AJC MEMBERS HANDICAP | 1300m | $70 000 | 3YO&Up |
| 7 | OCTAGONAL HANDICAP | 1200m | $70 000 | 3YO&Up F&M Benchmark 85 |
| 8 | BIG6 JACKPOT TODAY HANDICAP | 1100m | $70 000 | 3YO&Up Benchmark 80 |
