RACETALK with Chris Scholtz

Best Bets

RACE 3 (10) XIDAKI: This stylish Zoustar gelding stamped himself as a future winner when he made his debut in a strong “super” maiden over 1200m at the Wyong Cup meeting in September, finishing a close second as a well tried favourite on the strength of promising trials. A spell followed with another impressive trial win over 1000m at Hawkesbury on December 12 having him well primed for this suitable target first-up. Suspect he is going to make the grade in better company.

RACE 4 (8) HELL HATH NO FURY: Well placed to improve on her good first-up fourth in this class over 1400m at Warwick Farm when she endured a tough wide run that negated her finishing speed. She had trialled nicely beforehand and her second up record of a win and a placing from three attempts points to her making the necessary improvement as a better draw will see her enjoy a soft trail with the rail back in the true position.

RACE 7 (9) BABY RIDER: Imported G2 winner broke through for his first Australian success when he went out hard from the start and kept running to win the Listed ATC Cup over this course and distance on December 9. There’s more depth in this field but you have to like his chances of a repeat performance now that he has found winning form as he drops from 57kg to 53kg, a significant weight change for a last start black type winner.

For Value

RACE 5 (6) MONFELICITY: Recovered well from a poor start when resuming over 1400m at this course on December 16, making up a lot of ground late to finish fifth, beaten less than a length, in a stronger BM78 won by the promising mare Zouphoria. It reads as the right form for this company and she is sure to be fitter for this extra trip, noting that she was second up when she won over 1800m at Hawkesbury in August.

RACE 8 (6) DESIAH: An easy trial at Wyong belies the claims of this mare first-up as she is a fresh specialist having raced four times first-up for two wins and two placings, all over this distance. Rates well in this class on her good Victorian form.

Selections

RACE 1: (7) LISTENTOZOU; (4) Le Chocolat; (3) Invade And Conquer; (2) Franz Josef

RACE 2: (6) THERMODYNAMIC; (9) Northern Eyes; (12) Denote; (7) Il Tevere

RACE 3: (10) XIDAKI; (15) Iced Chocolate; (3) Hanau; (8) Tellez

RACE 4: (8) HELL HATH NO FURY; (4) Miss Faberge; (9) Nana’s Wish; (7) Divine Vicky

RACE 5: (6) MONFELICITY; (8) Sumo Star; (2) Tympanist; (4) Eau De Vie

RACE 6: (4) BORDER CONTROL; (3) Prince Invincible; (5) Temple Run; (2) Delexo

RACE 7: (9) BABY RIDER; (5) Lion’s Roar; (1) Huetor; (6) Warning

RACE 8: (6) DESIAH; (7) Capital Heart; (17) Spring Lee; (11) Soobooco

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – December 26-28

RANDWICK TUESDAY: Xidaki (R3); Capital Heart (R8)

NEWCASTLE TUESDAY: Llanddwyn (R4); Take Me To Church (R4); Misty Legend (R7); Deep Romance (R7); Oceans One (R7); Nosey Parker (R7)

GOSFORD THURSDAY: Growl (R4); Chrysaor (R5); Misty Legend (R5)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Straight Charge; Utopian Wine; Gelatin; Shaken; Time To Boogie; Boston Rocks; Anode; Chartwell; Katsumoto; Highness; Royal Merchant; House Of Cards; Spring Lee; Lady Extreme; Overpass; Legio Ten; Storm Boy; Bojangles; Vomo Island; Sisserou; Terra Mater; Tumbling; The Extreme Cat; Long Memory; Gitalong

TRIAL POINTERS

HAWKESBURY December 12: Zoustar 3YO XIDAKI was a standout among the maiden heat winners, and not just because he wears the silks made famous by Gunsynd. Placed at his only start at Wyong in September, he added to his impressive trial record winning his 1000m heat (59.14; 34.05) without coming off the bit. Sure to be placed to advantage by his top stable.

WARWICK FARM November 30 (Poly): OCEANS ONE, a winner of three from 15 over short courses, has not raced since August but is ready for a good return after winning two recent Warwick Farm trials. Followed up his November 16 trial win with a fast win in this open heat over 740m (43.12; 32.70), running strongly on the bit to open up a big lead and cruise home by almost four lengths.

WARWICK FARM November 16: Speed runners were suited in the short course heats. OCEANS ONE showed excellent pace in his first trial since August to win his 796m heat in the fastest of all the short course heats (45.86; 32.61), doling it easily without coming off the bit. Being a Class 3 horse there are plenty of country and provincial options for him.

 ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – December 23-26

RANDWICK TUESDAY: Nana’s Wish (R4); Leandra (R4); Sumo Star (R5)

CAULFIELD TUESDAY: Zennzella (R6)

NEWCASTLE TUESDAY: Nana’s Wish (R6)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Gelatin; Munhamek; Acotango; Acquitted; Bowery Breeze; Stroke Of Luck; Ka Bling; Rose Quartz; Let’srollthedice; Schwarz; I’ve Bean Tryin’; Storm The Ramparts; Without A Fight; Crackerjack Prince; Pesto; Sharp Shock; Attrition; Territory Express; Magic Time; Queen Of Dragons; Foujita San; Airman

BLACKBOOKERS – Selected December 22-23

(Follow for next 3 starts)

BATTLETON; CEOLWULF; CLYDE; CRADLE OF LIFE; DARK JOURNEY; VA VIA