Randwick preview and tips: Spring Champion Stakes day, October 22

Williamsburg returns to Randwick for the Spring Champion Stakes

The carnival continues at Royal Randwick with the three-year-olds stepping up to 2000m for the Group One Spring Champion Stakes.

There's also big dollars up for grabs for the mares in The Invitation.

The track is rated a Soft 7, but unfortunately showers are forecast in the lead-up which is likely to see the track downgraded to the heavy range again. The rail moves out 4m.

Check out the preview and best bets for every race.

Randwick Race 1 Form Guide WIN PLACE
Drinkwise Kirkham Plate (1000m)
1st 1 Barber (1) Blake Shinn 56.5kg	4.2	4.5	4.6	4.6	4.6	4.75	4.6	4.6
2nd 2 Coincide (7) Hugh Bowman 56.5kg	6.5	7	7	6.5	6.5	6.6	7	6.5
8th 3 Gitalong (8) William Pike 56.5kg	9.5	9	10	9.5	9.5	9.6	9.5	9.5
9th 4 Kintyre (10) Brenton Avdulla 56.5kg	14	14	15	15	15	14	15	15
7th 6 Razors (4) Joshua Parr 56.5kg	9.5	9.5	10	10	10	9.5	9.5	10
6th 7 Stanislaus (5) Sam Clipperton 56.5kg	9	9	8.5	9	9	9.1	9.5	9
4th 8 Dipsy Doodle (6) Rachel King 54.5kg	6	7	7	6.5	6	6.5	6	6.5
10th 9 Faberge (9) Regan Bayliss 54.5kg	14	13	15	14	14	13.4	14	14
5th 10 Infatuation (2) Jason Collett 54.5kg	7.5	7.5	7.5	8	8	8.1	8	8
3rd 11 Shine Your Light (3) Reece Jones 54.5kg (a1.5)	16	16	17	17	19	19	17	17
Market percentage	122	118	115	116	117	116	116	116
Quick Bet

Ten debutants for the Kirkham. Coincide (2) heads to Randwick off just the one public trial. Sat off the speed from a wide draw before finishing off quite well when pushed out late by Bowman. Expect they'll be positive here from the gate..

Godolphin dominate the numbers in the race with five entries. Barber (1), a son of Exceed And Excel, has put in two solid trials and has the advantage of the inside draw.

Razors' (6) only public trial was earlier in the week, closing off strongly for second over 820m. He's a half-brother to Brigantine.

Dipsy Doodle (8) is a full sister to Magic Carpet (Magic Night runner-up) and a half to stakes-placed Larkspur Run. She's a rangy filly who has trialled well, but may be forced back from the draw.

VERDICT: Coincide

Randwick Race 2 Form Guide WIN PLACE
Tab Highway Hcp (C3) (1800m)
6th 1 Lord Desanimaux (1) Rachel King 61.5kg	12	11	12	12	12	12.2	12	12
12th 2 Alloway (8) Koby Jennings 59.5kg	26	31	34	26	26	32	29	26
4th 3 Jalmari (3) Tyler Schiller 59.5kg (a1.5)	4.2	4.2	4.2	4.4	4.2	3.9	4.4	4.4
1st 4 Socrates (4) Dylan Gibbons 59.0kg (a2)	6	6.5	6.5	6.5	7	6.6	6	6.5
7th 5 Sassy Choice (10) Blake Shinn 56.0kg	12	11	13	12	13	13.2	12	12
2nd 6 King Of Spades (5) William Pike 56.0kg	5.5	6.5	6.5	6	6	6.4	6	6
8th 7 Smooth Esprit (2) Kerrin Mc Evoy 56.0kg	9.5	9	9	9	8.5	9.7	9.5	9
9th 8 Sumdeel (13) Joshua Parr 55.5kg	10	11	11	11	12	11.2	11	11
5th 10 Enjolras (7) Keagan Latham 55.5kg	23	23	23	21	21	20.5	21	21
3rd 12 Leather Jacket Lew (11) Ellen Hennessy 55.0kg (a3)	26	27	29	26	26	25.5	26	26
10th 13 Gold Lunar (12) Reece Jones 54.0kg (a1.5)	23	21	23	26	21	21.5	21	26
13th 14 Tribute King (9) Regan Bayliss 55.0kg	26	27	29	26	26	25	26	26
11th 16 Ribeauville (6) Jay Ford 54.0kg	16	17	17	17	17	16	17	17
Market percentage	122	119	115	118	118	118	119	118
Quick Bet

Small play on Lord Desanimaux (1) e/w here. He does have the 61.5kg to lump, but he's such a consistent performer. Only the 3 wins from 46 starts, but has 21 minor placings. He's back in trip after a couple of runs over 2400m and ran a close-up second at his last start over 2200m at W'Farm.

Jalmari (3) was hurt by the draw/track pattern last start in a Highway over a mile. Had just the one runner behind him at the top of the straight before charging into third, albeit 5L off winner Socrates. Tyler Schiller is back aboard and can settle further forward after drawing barrier 5.

The more rain the better for Socrates (4). Won by a big space over 2100m at Tuncurry two-back. Dropped back to a mile after a four-week break, taking out the Highway here over a mile by 2.6L. Was helped that day by the fact he found the front.

Smooth Esprit (7), meanwhile, is a bit of a query in the wet. Bounced back to form in a Highway here last month. Enjoyed a good run just off the speed and should land in a similar spot here from gate 4.

VERDICT: Lord Desanimaux e/w

Randwick Race 3 Form Guide WIN PLACE
Midway (Bm72) (1200m)
6th 2 Astero (1) Reece Jones 59.5kg (a1.5)	9	9.5	10	10	10	9.5	9.5	10
7th 3 Shotmaker (11) Zac Lloyd 59.5kg (a3)	11	12	12	12	11	11.2	12	12
9th 4 Mayrose (9) Tyler Schiller 59.0kg (a1.5)	10	9.5	10	10	10	10.2	10	10
12th 5 Eyewitness (7) Kerrin Mc Evoy 58.0kg	11	11	11	11	11	10.4	10	11
14th 6 Miss Redoble (12) Dylan Gibbons 58.0kg (a2)	18	19	21	19	19	18.2	20	19
10th 8 Gave Me You (13) Robyn Freeman 56.5kg	21	21	21	19	19	17.6	19	19
11th 9 Russbuss (3) Ellen Hennessy 56.0kg (a3)	11	11	12	11	11	11.2	11	11
3rd 11 Super Bright (14) Jason Collett 55.5kg	10	9.5	9	9.5	9.5	10	9.5	9.5
2nd 12 Either Oar (8) Rachel King 55.0kg	9	10	11	9.5	10	9.9	10	9.5
4th 13 Eye See Things (2) Tom Sherry 54.0kg	18	19	19	20	21	16.4	19	20
13th 14 Rahni Factor (10) Glyn Schofield 56.0kg (a1)	19	18	19	19	21	18.8	19	19
8th 17 Sir Kerm (6) William Pike 54.0kg	11	11	11	11	12	11.2	11	11
5th 18 Tristate (5) Hugh Bowman 64.0kg	5.5	5.5	6.5	6	6	6.6	6.5	6
1st 19 Liberty Sun (4) Joshua Parr 59.5kg	26	26	26	26	21	26.5	26	26
Market percentage	122	120	114	118	118	118	118	118
Quick Bet

These Midways have my measure. It's another lottery this week. Taking Rahni Factor (14) e/w, although not with a whole lot of confidence. The McFarlane-trained mare has been in good form on wet tracks at the provincials during the winter. Had some traffic issues in her only unplaced run for the prep.

Astero (2) resumes. The 4YO wasn't far away in better races than this in his campaign earlier in the year, including a midfield finish in the Provincial Championships Final. Should get a soft run from barrier 1.

Tristate (18) will have to carry the grandstand with 64kg on his back if they choose to line up here, but he's clearly got class on his side. Finished just 0.71L off Remarque two-back in a BM88.

Different Strokes (7) resumes. Likely he'll need to be ridden conservatively here due to the draw. Won a Midway by over 2L here last spring.

VERDICT: Rahni Factor e/w

Randwick Race 4 Form Guide WIN PLACE
Egroup Protective Serv. (Bm78) (1600m)
8th 2 Cognac (8) Keagan Latham 59.5kg	13	13	13	13	14	11.8	13	13
10th 3 O'mudgee (9) Rachel King 59.5kg	13	13	13	13	12	12	13	13
3rd 4 Philipsburg (6) Koby Jennings 59.0kg	19	18	19	18	17	18.2	17	18
6th 5 Olympic Theatre (1) Kerrin Mc Evoy 58.0kg	17	19	19	18	18	18.2	17	18
4th 6 Willinga Rufio (3) Tyler Schiller 58.0kg (a1.5)	4.4	4.5	4.6	4.8	4.2	4.75	4.8	4.8
7th 7 Colour Sergeant (7) Regan Bayliss 57.0kg	21	19	21	20	17	20	19	20
1st 8 Mahagoni (4) Blake Shinn 56.5kg	4.8	4.5	4.8	4.8	4.4	4.4	4.8	4.8
5th 9 One Aye (5) Quayde Krogh 56.0kg	14	14	15	14	14	14.2	13	14
9th 11 Kermanding (10) Sam Clipperton 55.5kg	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.4	6	6.5
2nd 12 Naval Seal (2) William Pike 54.5kg	4.8	4.8	5	5	5	4.95	5	5
Market percentage	118	119	115	116	122	119	118	116
Quick Bet

This card isn't getting any easier. Mahagoni (8) was a winner of a Midway here two-back on a Soft 7. Stepped up from a BM72 to a BM88 last time out. He looked a chance earlier in the straight, hooking to the outside, but died on his run, finishing 3.28L off Hosier. Drops back to BM78 grade here.

Kermanding (11) made a good return over 1400m at W'Farm, going down narrowly to Cinque Torri. That was his first run for 18 months. Providing he doesn't suffer from second-up syndrome after such a long break, he should be charging late.

Willinga Rufio (6) put in an absolute shocker last start at Rosehill. It looked a case of too bad to be true and might be worth another chance. He'll go forward from barrier 3.

Colour Sergeant (7) looks a silly price if we're not on a bottomless track. Beaten a long way first-up, but that was on a Heavy 10. He should make improvement second-up and did finish runner-up in this grade over 2000m at the end of his last prep.

VERDICT: Mahagoni

Randwick Race 5 Form Guide WIN PLACE
Vale Beryl White Filante Hcp (1600m)
9th 1 Bigboyroy (9) Hugh Bowman 59.0kg	6.5	6.5	7.5	6.5	7	6.7	6.5	6.5
2nd 2 Purple Sector (5) Blake Shinn 57.0kg	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	7	5.7	6.5	6.5
7th 3 Criaderas (1) Glyn Schofield 54.5kg	19	17	19	19	17	17.6	18	19
1st 4 Diamil (4) Regan Bayliss 54.5kg	4.2	4.4	4.4	4.4	4.6	4.5	4.4	4.4
3rd 6 Yiyi (7) Kerrin Mc Evoy 53.5kg	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6	6.4	6.5	6.5
5th 7 Bonny Ezra (8) Jay Ford 52.0kg	15	15	15	15	14	15.2	14	15
4th 8 War Eternal (2) Rachel King 52.0kg	4.4	4.4	4.2	4.5	4	4.55	4.5	4.5
8th 9 Mirann (6) Reece Jones 52.0kg	26	26	29	26	21	19.8	23	26
6th 10 Palmetto (3) Tyler Schiller 52.0kg	11	11	12	12	11	12.2	12	12
Market percentage	118	117	114	115	119	118	116	115
Quick Bet

A few runners come here off poor runs last start. Diamil (4) was OK last week in the Five Diamonds Prelude, finishing midfield behind Ellsberg. He now heads to a mile on the back-up, third-up for the campaign, which should have the gelding ready to peak.

Purple Sector (2) put in a shocker at Caulfield, but if you can forgive that, his form to start the spring looks very good for this. Beaten narrowly first-up by Old Flame and then ran second to Top Ranked in a G3. Probably doesn't want it too wet.

Bonny Ezra (7) resumes. Likely to find this a bit sharp, but comes into contention if the rain arrives and we're on a very wet track.

Mirann (9) may also need a bit further, but it wouldn't be a shock to see him put in a competitive run first-up. The import has had two trials and worked home well on both occasions. He finished third behind Numerian and Great House last campaign in the Gosford Cup.

VERDICT: Diamil (BEST BET)

Randwick Race 6 Form Guide WIN PLACE
Grainshaker Brian Crowley Stks (1200m)
2nd 1 Invincible Sage (2) Will Price 57.5kg	6.5	6	7	6.5	6.5	6.6	6.5	6.5
1st 2 Kote (7) Jason Collett 56.0kg	3.8	3.9	4	3.9	4.2	3.7	3.8	3.9
4th 3 Insurrection (5) Blake Shinn 56.0kg	4.2	4.5	4.6	4.4	4.6	4.35	4.6	4.4
8th 4 Northern Beaches (8) Hugh Bowman 56.0kg	11	10	11	10	10	9.7	10	10
3rd 7 Dashing Legend (4) Brenton Avdulla 55.0kg (a0.5)	5	4.8	4.8	5	5	4.9	5	5
6th 8 Miss Hellfire (1) Sam Clipperton 54.0kg	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10
5th 10 Cholante (3) William Pike 54.0kg	11	11	12	11	11	12.2	11	11
7th 11 Sammiballerina (6) Dylan Gibbons 54.0kg	26	26	29	26	26	26.5	23	26
Market percentage	118	118	113	117	114	118	117	117
Quick Bet

Willinga Beast (6) is coming up for her fourth start of the campaign, but if she can hold her form, she's the one to beat. Heads here off a third to Best Of Bordeaux in the Roman Consul, with the winner aided by the track pattern. We know she can handle a heavy Randwick.

Insurrection (3) is also having his fifth start for the prep. Jumps up in grade after a 1.65L win at W'Farm at BM68 level. Spicy Hotpot (9) comes out of the same race and should be a bit closer in the market to Insurrection. Spicy Hotpot was beaten 3.75L, but she got held-up early in the straight.

Kote (2) had no luck whatsoever two-back when eighth, beaten just 1.47L by Adios Steve. He couldn't be tested over the final furlong after getting held up for a run. Luck was taken out of the equation last start, going to the front and leading all the way on the bog here a fortnight back.

VERDICT: Insurrection on top after the scratching of Willinga Beast

Randwick Race 7 Form Guide WIN PLACE
Tab Callander-Presnell (1600m)
1st 1 Golden Mile (10) Hugh Bowman 57.0kg	2.3	2.2	2.2	2.3	2.35	2.45	2.25	2.3
7th 2 Brosnan (6) Regan Bayliss 57.0kg	21	21	23	21	19	21	20	21
5th 3 Pacific Warrior (4) Kerrin Mc Evoy 57.0kg	21	20	21	20	19	18.8	20	20
2nd 4 Communist (7) Blake Shinn 57.0kg	5	5.5	6	5.5	5	5.4	5.5	5.5
8th 5 Flag Of Honour (5) Jason Collett 57.0kg	7	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.6	7	7.5
10th 6 Burgunder (8) Joshua Parr 57.0kg	14	14	15	14	13	12.8	13	14
4th 7 Token Capitalist (9) Keagan Latham 57.0kg	31	31	34	31	26	25.5	29	31
9th 8 Field Commander (2) Rachel King 57.0kg	81	67	101	81	81	83	81	81
6th 9 Monastery (1) Sam Clipperton 57.0kg	61	61	81	61	51	63	61	61
3rd 10 A Lot More Love (3) Brenton Avdulla 55.0kg	5.5	6	6	6	6	5.6	5.5	6
Market percentage	119	117	113	115	118	115	119	115
Quick Bet

Tried to go around Golden Mile (1) as there are a couple of queries here, but landed back with the favourite as the one to beat. The Caulfield Guineas winner has drawn the outside in the field of 10 which could prove tricky. There's not a stack of speed here, so perhaps Bowman will be aggressive out of the gates. He's also yet to face a heavy track.

Communist (4) has been impressive his past two since getting out to a mile. Romped home against a small field at Newcastle two-back before challenging Williamsburg in the Dulcify last time out, running second, beaten 0.71L.

Value with Brosnan (2). Beaten 4.49L by Golden Mile first-up, but he'll be much better suited over a mile and will be fitter for this meeting third-up. Only beat three home in the Golden Rose, but was doing his best work through the line. Ran third in the JJ Atkins over a mile during the winter.

Burgunder (6) can be a big improver provided he gets a better surface this time. He sank here a fortnight back on the Heavy 10. Gets blinkers on here for the first time.

VERDICT: Golden Mile

Randwick Race 8 Form Guide WIN PLACE
Moet & Chandon Spring Champion (2000m)
2nd 1 Elliptical (1) Blake Shinn 56.5kg	4.6	4.8	5.5	4.8	5	4.95	5	4.8
10th 2 Promitto (5) Joshua Parr 56.5kg	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6	6.5
1st 3 Sharp 'n' Smart (8) Hugh Bowman 56.5kg	7.5	7	7.5	7	7.5	7.5	7	7
5th 4 Williamsburg (2) Kerrin Mc Evoy 56.5kg	6	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.6	6	6.5
4th 5 Matcha Latte (7) Tom Sherry 56.5kg	10	10	10	10	10	9.3	10	10
7th 6 Owen County (11) Keagan Latham 56.5kg	126	91	126	91	91	101	81	91
9th 7 Noble Conqueror (4) Jason Collett 56.5kg	26	26	31	26	21	23	23	26
11th 8 Coppleson (3) Brenton Avdulla 56.5kg	51	61	71	41	41	47	41	41
8th 9 Manzoice (12) William Pike 56.5kg	21	21	23	21	18	19.4	21	21
12th 10 Bunker Hut (6) Regan Bayliss 56.5kg	101	67	101	71	81	83	67	71
3rd 11 She's Extreme (10) Glyn Schofield 54.5kg	4.2	4.2	4.4	4.4	4.2	4.15	4.2	4.4
6th 12 Renaissance Woman (9) Rachel King 54.5kg	19	21	23	20	20	19.8	21	20
Market percentage	119	117	110	117	118	118	120	117
Quick Bet

Siding with Williamsburg (4) as he gets back to his preferred surface - a wet Randwick track. He won the Dulcify impressively here two-back, sweeping home from last to defeat Communist. Charged late, but just missed behind Sharp 'n' Smart and Matcha Latte in the Gloaming which was transferred to W'Farm.

She's Extreme (11) will need to roll forward from the wide draw. Worked to the line pretty well last start in the G1 Flight Stakes over a mile, finishing second to Zougotcha, suggesting the rise to 2000m could suit.

If Manzoice (9) had drawn a gate I could've made a strong case at $31. He'll need some luck now, given he'll likely settle last. He was strong over the final furlong last start over 1800m when runner-up to White Marlin. That horse won again at Caulfield last week.

Elliptical (1) has the right form line, finishing a close-up second to Golden Mile in the Caulfield Guineas. It's just whether he can run a strong 2000m. He's by Dundeel out of a sprinting mare so it's a bit of an unknown.

VERDICT: Williamsburg (NEXT BEST)

Randwick Race 9 Form Guide WIN PLACE
The Invitation (1400m)
6th 1 Forbidden Love (2) Blake Shinn 59.5kg	7	7	7.5	7	7	7.3	7	7
3rd 2 Nimalee (8) Regan Bayliss 59.0kg	5.5	6	5.5	6	6	5.8	5.5	6
9th 3 Icebath (3) Tom Sherry 59.0kg	5	5	5.5	5	5.5	5.4	5	5
2nd 4 Electric Girl (7) Hugh Bowman 59.0kg	17	19	21	18	18	17	18	18
1st 5 Promise Of Success (9) Kerrin Mc Evoy 58.0kg	26	27	34	26	21	25	23	26
10th 6 Swats That (10) Keagan Latham 58.0kg	14	15	15	14	14	14	15	14
7th 7 Expat (4) Joshua Parr 58.0kg	19	20	21	19	19	16.4	19	19
12th 8 Barb Raider (11) Will Price 58.0kg	23	21	26	21	18	23	18	21
4th 9 Belle Plaisir (5) Sam Clipperton 58.0kg	19	20	21	19	20	20	20	19
11th 10 Espiona (6) Brenton Avdulla 58.0kg	5	5	5.5	5	5	5.4	5	5
5th 11 Never Talk (12) Jason Collett 57.0kg	16	15	17	15	15	14.6	16	15
8th 12 Sheeza Belter (1) William Pike 54.0kg	11	9.5	12	10	11	10.8	11	10
Market percentage	120	119	110	119	118	117	120	119
Quick Bet

Open race with a query on a number of the top chances. Getting back on the Espiona (10) bandwagon here given she's at an e/w price this time. She finished fourth in the Golden Pendant, but did get quite wide at the turn. Finally, she's drawn a half-decent gate.

Icebath (3) continues to tease punters. Beaten just 0.84L by Anamoe in the George Main two-back. Prior to that she was second to Zaaki in the Tramway. She was easily held however last start in the Epsom when getting a fair way back.

Forbidden Love (1) has been below her best so far this campaign. Her best form produced two G1 wins in the autumn. She was OK last start in the Sydney Stakes, beaten 2.45L. Jumped from a wide gate, but McEvoy was able to get some cover. She'll get a cushy run from barrier 2 and Shinn is in hot form.

Nimalee (2) took out the G2 Golden Pendant two-back. Had to do some work in the Epsom to sit outside the lead and faded in the straight, finishing 6.33L off Ellsberg and Top Ranked. May have to do a bit of work again here with Expat and Electric Girl drawn inside of her.

VERDICT: Espiona e/w

Randwick Race 10 Form Guide WIN PLACE
Catanach's Jewellers (Bm88) (1200m)
10th 1 Fourhometwo (5) Will Price 62.0kg (a1.5)	51	46	61	51	41	43	41	51
4th 2 Wisdom Of Water (6) Reece Jones 61.5kg (a1.5)	21	23	26	21	19	22.5	21	21
9th 3 Acquitted (3) Dylan Gibbons 61.0kg (a2)	9.5	10	11	10	8	10	9.5	10
5th 4 Coal Crusher (2) Glyn Schofield 60.0kg	5	5	5	5	5	5.5	5	5
6th 5 Bacchanalia (1) Blake Shinn 58.5kg	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.6	4	3.6	3.7	3.6
1st 6 Titanium Power (8) Rory Hutchings 58.5kg	9.5	10	11	10	9	9.1	10	10
2nd 10 Samoot (9) Brenton Avdulla 55.5kg	8.5	8.5	8.5	8.5	8	8.1	8	8.5
8th 11 Royalzel (10) Tom Sherry 55.5kg	71	67	101	71	81	69	61	71
3rd 13 Fox Fighter (7) Sam Clipperton 54.0kg	9	9	9	9	9	8.6	9	9
7th 14 Bella Rouge (4) Kerrin Mc Evoy 53.0kg	5	5	5.5	5.5	5	5.3	5.5	5.5
Market percentage	121	119	114	117	121	118	118	117
Quick Bet

Coming home with a value play in Coal Crusher (4) e/w. Resumed this track/trip at the start of the month where he settled forward. He dropped back early in the straight, but did rally again late to be beaten only 2L by Remarque. Importantly, blinkers go back on here.

Bacchanalia (5) had his chance last start, but was no match for Remarque as he faded late, beaten 1.53L. Still, a repeat performance of that run will have him in the mix.

Samoot (10) looks to have returned in good order. Got badly held-up early in the straight first-up before finishing seventh to Loch Eagle. She did it easily against a small field last start on a Heavy 10 at Canterbury, winning by 1.54L. Now just needs to bring that form to Randwick.

Clemenceau (7) is another with Remarque form. Finished runner-up to the stablemate first-up at Rosehill. Then went to The Valley where he had his chance as favourite, but was no match late for Zethus. The wide draw could be problematic.

VERDICT: Coal Crusher e/w

Randwick preview and tips: Spring Champion Stakes day, October 22

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Randwick preview and tips: Spring Champion Stakes day, October 22

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