Horse Racing Picks, News and Opinions
Tom and Rich put on their handicapping hats and pull out the magic 8-ball, crystal ball, fortune tellers… whatever it takes for deep fields at Royal Randwick and a 40-horse field of jumpers in the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse in England.
Horse Racing Picks for The Grand National at Aintree and Royal Randwick
Royal Randwick Races (Australia A – Free Royal Randwick Past Performances)
Race 6 – The Star Australian Oaks (G1)
Race 7 – Schweppes Sydney Cup (G1)
Race 8 – Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1)
Race 9 – Sydney Queen Of The Turf Stakes (G1)
Royal Randwick Racecourse Horse Racing Tips and Commentary
22 to 1 Tom’s International Tips
Race 6 – The Star Australian Oaks (G1)
2 – Gypsy Goddess
6 starts 5 wins 1 third
No races at distance
Won 5 in a row and the tried group 1 company for the first time and ran 3rd
Didn’t have the best of trips but was still able to get up with an in the money finish
Has won at 2000m plus so the distance shouldn’t be an issue
Rebound from last and appears to be ready to win again
Draw is not good so trip will have to be good
Short price but favorite?
3 – Biscayne Bay
9 starts 2 wins 1 second 2 thirds
No runs at this distance
No runs on heavy going but been going fine on soft turf
This is 2U race with an average race last out, needed race
Has won before 2U and better form last year in 2-year-old runs then currently
So why pick? 2 thirds in group races closing out the season last year
I think this is a horse sitting on a good race, let’s hope it here
Price?
9 – Pink Ivory
5 starts 2 wins 1 second
No races at distance
Won on the heavy going at 1880m in lower class level then faced group 1 company
Didn’t get the best of trips last out with the wide draw & sat back before finishing an even 5th losing by 6L
I think there is enough there to think she will finish better here
Race 7 – Schweppes Sydney Cup (G1)
7 – Sheraz
15 starts 4 wins 3 seconds 2 thirds
At distance, no starts but likes the soft to heavy going
In 4 races in Australia, the best finish is 4th in a listed race but last start, he had issues at the start but moved up to 2nd and no finish, coming to form?
If we go back to past form in France, distance races were some of his best races at 3000m or more
Does he want more distance?
12 – Tigertiger
24 starts 5 wins 6 seconds 2 thirds
At distance, 1 start 1 second
This horse doesn’t run short races, last 10 all at 2400m or great and the worst finish was 7th but made up some ground
Otherwise, he’s 5 wins are in the last 12 months and 12 out of 13 races in the money at various levels from maiden to group 2
Great form, likes distances and certain is a factor here
11 – Surefire
7 starts 4 wins 2 seconds
At distance, no starts
Last 2 races in Australia has been on the heavy turf
Import from UK, won and second in 2 starts
Winner at Royal Ascot and then purchased/moved to Australia
Sits midpack and makes move when asked to go, last out, could get to the winner
He appears to have a lot of upside and lightly raced
Race 8 – Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1)
9 – Anamoe
15 starts 7 wins 5 seconds 2 thirds
At distance 2 starts 1 win 1 second
Her worst finish in her last 10 races was 3rd in group 2, first up in the last 4 races
Won by 6.5L in group 1 last out at Rosehill, losing a plate (shoe) and was very impressive at 2000m
The heavy going is to her advantage, but she done well on all types of track conditions
She should sit off the leaders and turn in on late
She gets weight from the field because she’s the only 3-year-old in the race
Godolphin owned
2 – Zaaki
32 starts 11 wins 4 seconds 6 thirds
Good at distance 8 starts 2 wins 1 second 3 thirds
Another horse who’s done really well in her last 9 start (DQ in 1)
After layoff, she needed her first start but ran better than I thought, running 2nd and then won by 1.5L
Speed and tactical speed is what she’s about and this race will suit her
7 – Duais
18 starts 7 wins 4 second 1 third
At distance 4 starts 3 wins
Really lightly raced 8-year-old who’s battled with the best and lately 2 wins in a row
She ran last most of last race and then a burst to catch the leaders and win by 3.5L
She will be last again and no surprise if she gets up and wins again
Race 9 – Sydney Queen Of The Turf Stakes (G1)
7 – Promise of Success
14 starts 4 wins 4 seconds 2 thirds
One run at the distance, out of the top placings
A winner last out at Newcastle going 1500m by head.
Didn’t break well, sat back move 5 wide on the turn and got up in time, the comment line was “gusty win”
The extra 100m should help and just needs a clean trip to have a chance
Reunited with top jockey Hugh Bowman who’s won with this horse before
I would take 5-1 or higher
1 – Collete
24 starts 8 wins 5 places
She has 2 wins 2 seconds from 9 starts at this distance
Likes the heavy going with 3 wins from 5 starts
Broke well in last, sat 6th with cover and traffic, move up on the turn, very strong down the straight but no match for the winner – Forbidden Love
Nothing in race before running 8th and was vet checked after the race to explain the running, nothing found
I don’t know if she can win but if she’s on, she will have a say in this race
2 – Lighthouse
18 starts 8 wins 5 seconds 1 third
2 runs at this distance, no placings
Tossed last race, incident at the starting gate and vet checked to run, ran 8th
Winner race before running 1500m by 2L, must the best that day
Has 2 wins on the heavy going and 1 for 1 on the soft going
Must be added to those exotics
Race 6 – Aintree
4m2½f (4m2f74y) Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (7yo+) 30 fences
34 – Diese Aba
Good season overall, likes right-handed running, never faced large field.
29 – Mighty Thunder
Marathon runner, good last season, DNF in last 2 starts, better last but issues reported Big price and big unknowns
8 – Burrows Saint
Won Irish National in 2019, ran 4th last year, goes well early but has run out of gas at long distance race and tired. If he doesn’t hand and jumps well later, has a chance
20 – Kildisart
Has gone well in the past few years, hadn’t race in a long while to run ok at Newbury in last, distance isn’t an issue, good jumper but fitness level is questionable. Price? Should see some action with the bookies
11 – Fiddlerontheroof
Strong runs lately. More experience has helped but gave away last. With a good trip, handle the distance, he should finish in top 5.
Rich’s Ranks
Royal Randwick
Race 7 – Schweppes Sydney Cup (G1)
4 – Stockman
11 – Surefire
8 – No Compromise
3 – Knights Order
Race 8 – Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1)
8 – Montefilia
6 – Verry Elleegant
9 – Anamoe
4 – Mount Popa
Race 9 – Sydney Queen Of The Turf Stakes (G1)
2 – Lighthouse
1 – Colette
9 – Annavisto
7 – Promise of Success
Aintree Race 6 – The Grand National
Watch the YouTube show for the rationale behind these picks to win
9 – Mount Ida
11 – Fiddlerontheroof
12 – Two For Gold
16 – Good Boy Bobby
20 – Kildisart
