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:

The first major event, the Carrington Stakes, took place as race five on the day. The Clarry Conners-trained mare Court ($4), ridden by Glyn Schofield, claimed victory by 1.8m with Prince Braeman ($4.40) in second while Pins On Parade ($3.70) finished third. The odds-on favourite, Dorf Command ($3.40), following the scratching of early favourite News Alert at the gates, could only manage fourth place. It was an impressive comeback for Court, following a poor ninth place in her previous start in the Razor Sharp Handicap on December 19.

The Listed Tattersall’s Club Cup followed as race six, where Rainbow Styling ($3.10) won a length ahead of runner-up Hairy ($14), with the Peter Snowden-trained Spinney ($9) in third. The winner, ridden by Jim Cassidy, ran a sharp 2:04.89 over the 2000m staying event. It was a fantastic turn of luck for Cassidy, who just moments earlier had lost his ride in the Carrington Stakes when hot favourite News Alert was scratched following the rider’s concerns over the horse’s action.

It was a disappointing finish for the $3 favourite, Gai Waterhouse’s Rabbuka who came in sixth. Waterhouse saw plenty of other success on the day however, taking out the opening two races of the day. The trainer won the TAB Jackpots Today Handicap with Kinnersley and the Zephyr Bay Handicap with Power And Glory.

The next race meeting scheduled at Randwick is tomorrow, January 6 followed by a raceday this Saturday, January 9. This Wednesday the action takes place at the Randwick’s Kensington track. Gates open at 12:15pm while racing will take place from 1:53pm until the last race of the day jumps at 5:40pm. On Saturday, gates open at midday and the first race of the day starts at 1:10pm.

Randwick Race Results – Friday January 1: