One of, if not the smoothest 1200m courses we have in Australia, the Randwick chute start gives the majority of runners their chance early to sort themselves out, with the added factor of a bend to navigate.
It often plays extremely fair, even more so when the rail is in the true position.
With around 250m to the first bend and a kind, sweeping turn, even those caught wide can work into the race. Compared to the 1100m and 1200m chute starts at Rosehill, barriers are far less crucial here.
Randwick Track Map
Winners from the Draw
Joliestar (5)
She couldn’t have drawn better. There’s good speed drawn outside her which she can use to be positive early and land on speed. Having Magic Time on her inside should see her land in the 1-1 unless the tempo is too strong, in which case she can slot in a pair further back.
Overpass (7)
It’s hard for this galloper to draw poorly, but there is merit in drawing inside Mazu, especially first-up. Sitting outside the leader on speed fresh is one of the tougher tasks in racing, so this draw gives him options.
Magic Time (3) and Giga Kick (6)
Both have drawn ideally. Magic Time should get every chance on the leader’s back, while Giga Kick can settle off speed and unleash his powerful turn of foot. A perfect setup for the Everest winner.
Losers from the Draw
Tentyris (1)
Not a disaster, but far from ideal. If you were mapping pre-draw, gate 1 was likely the one to avoid. He has the turn of foot to overcome it, but may need to rely on that more than usual.
Jimmysstar (2)
Has shown tactical versatility, but this draw limits his options. He looks likely to be buried on the fence and will need luck at the right time.
Briasa (8)
Faces a tricky map. He either goes right back to last or presses forward and rolls to the lead. Either way, he’ll need things to go his way.
Overall
This year’s TJ Smith barrier draw has made the race more complex to assess. The top two in the market, Jimmysstar and Tentyris, have drawn awkwardly, while Giga Kick and Joliestar look the clear beneficiaries.
