CONCORDE STAKES - Randwick, 1000m R7

The Concorde will be the race most people are waiting for at Randwick on Saturday, with the return of Nature Strip in particular, as well as Eduardo and In Secret.

Does Nature Strip still have what it takes? What can Eduardo do as a 10yo? Can In Secret measure up to the likes of Giga Kick, I Wish I Win and Think About It?

The last time we saw In Secret was on a heavy track in the TJ Smith, a surface she clearly didn’t relish. Remove that run from her CV, and you have a filly that won a Newmarket Handicap and Coolmore Stud Stakes, along with being beaten narrowly in a Golden Rose and Surround Stakes at Group 1 level. She has to have made progression as an older mare of course, and we will see on Saturday if she has.

Where does Nature Strip sit now that he has been dethroned as Australia’s best sprinter? He’s still a pretty good one. While it’s coming up to a year since he won, his four runs since then have all been full of merit, still running well against the best of the best. There’ll be a huge roar if he can get the job done.

Eduardo is Nature Strip’s old sparring partner, and first-up at 1000m is usually his strong suit. He has once again trialled as well as he always does, and we will see if he still has elite speed in his aging legs.

Bella Nipotina is over the odds if running here instead of at Caulfield. First-up last campaign she was placed in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes, beating home Nature Strip. She’s always a threat.

Zapateo and Remarque can also be competitive, but have yet to prove themselves in this class. It’s not out of the question that they’ve improved again as five-year-old’s.

Selections: 1.In Secret 2.Bella Nipotina 3.Eduardo 4.Nature Strip

Cameron rose's Tip

IN SECRET

WIN

Southern Cross Group Concorde 02 September 15:15

5. In Secret

Win

Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

TRAMWAY STAKES - Randwick, 1400m R9

The Tramway gives us a look at one of the boom horses of the spring carnival, in Olentia. The Chris Waller mare has won five of her six races, with her best one being her most recent – carrying 58kg’s as a mare against the boys, she settled last and rounded up the field in devastating fashion.

That was only a benchmark 88 and she now jumps sharply up to a Group 2, but no-one who saw her last win would think she is anything but up to it. However, it’s a huge field of high quality horses, and she is close to even money. Is she a good bet?

Hope In Your Heart looks a great each-way play at around $10 the win and $3 the place. She won a similar race to this first-up in the autumn, followed it with three excellent runs at Group 1 level, and the campaign before that she won a couple of Group races and got beaten just over a length in the Golden Eagle by I Wish I Win and Fangirl.

Pericles and Madame Pommery ran the quinella in the Spring Preview last time out, and both can be threats here. Pericles will put himself in the race from a decent draw, while Madame Pommery has to jump barrier 16 if a full field is assembled, which makes it tough for her.

Selections: 1.Hope In Your Heart 2.Olentia 3.Pericles 4.Madame Pommery

Cameron rose's Tip

HOPE IN YOUR HEART

EACH-WAY

Amd Medical Tramway Stakes 02 September 16:35

12. Hope In Your Heart

Win

Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

FURIOUS STAKES - Randwick, 1200m R6

The Furious Stakes sees the three-year-old fillies tackle the Randwick 1200m, and it looks an even bunch off what we’ve seen so far.

Autumn Ballet won the Silver Shadow, which is always the key lead-up here, but less than two lengths covered the first seven home. Three runners are also here from the Rosebud, including the winner Tiz Invincible, which was also a blanket finish.

Kimochi was clearly the eye-catcher in the Silver Shadow, reflected in her coming up favourite in the early markets. She was the one savaging the line late after being back in the ruck, while Autumn Ballet had the box seat run and was given a perfect steer.

Mumbai Muse creates interest, having boxed on well in the worst part of the track to only be beaten a length. That was only her third start, so she is still improving, and the stable has always had a high opinion of her. If the fence is more friendly on Saturday, she could pull off an upset.

The Maher/Eustace camp are expecting big things from Tiz Invincible, and also that she would improve greatly on whatever she produced first-up. James McDonald sticking must surely be a good sign, and she’ll get every chance to prove her worth from a nice draw.

Selections: 1.Tiz Invincible 2.Mumbai Muse 3.Kimochi 4.Autumn Ballet

Cameron rose's Tip

TIZ INVINCIBLE

EACH-WAY

Darley Furious Stakes 02 September 14:40

3. Tiz Invincible

Win

Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds