Mitch Cohen's Blackbook: Five to follow from Royal Randwick
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FIVE TO FOLLOW
KOIBITO (race 1, 4th)
The winner Nashville Jack is a horse you will see in better races but this filly did a terrific job on debut, doing her best work late. She might be a prep away but has potential.
SO YOU ARE (race 3, 2nd)
This lightly-raced son of So You Think is still learning his craft and hit the line nicely over 1800m in the Highway. He will come into his own over 2000m plus.
GLORIOUS MOMENTS (race 4, 1st)
It was only a Benchmark 72 but it's easy to see the son of Brutal landing in better races soon. He's got stakes quality and will go through his grades quickly.
SLINKY (race 7, 3rd)
Put a line through her run two starts ago when she landed too close, she produced a far better run ridden cold. If she finds herself in a race with speed on next start she's worth backing.
TRAVOLTA (race 10, 1st)
He's won two of his three starts this preparation and can steadily go through his grades in his second preparation in Australia. Back him with confidence if the track is wet.
STEWARDS SAY
Open Secret (race 1): Did not feel comfortable on the soft track. Was found to be coughing post-race and will undergo further veterinary checks, including an endoscopic examination.
Forecaster (race 2): Apprentice William Stanley was fined $500 for striking the gelding nine times before the 100m, four more than permitted.
In Summer (race 3): Jockey Jason Collett felt the prevailing racing surface hampered her ability to close off as expected.
Ruby Flyer (race 5): Did not travel comfortably on the soft track and failed to fire. Was found to be slow to recover post-race.
Storm The Ramparts (race 8): A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding was slow to recover and lost his off-fore plate. He will be spelled.
The Black Cloud (race 8): Did not let down under pressure and weakened in the straight. Another horse that was slow to recover post-race.
Kazalark (race 10): Late scratching at 9.55am on vets advice after being found lame in the off-foreleg.
CRUNCH TIME
Nashville Jack (race 1): Surged home along the inside to finish his last 600m in 36.09 seconds. Wisnierska (36.08) and Koibito (36.03) both got home well in behind.
Investment (race 6): She was last at one stage but relished the conditions as she was a race best split for every furlong from the 1000m to the finish. Her last 600m of 38.90 seconds was a clear best.
Cigar Flick (race 8): Only had a couple of runners behind her in the run before doing her best work down the outside to finish her last 600m in 35.45 seconds. Her last 200m of 12.45 was the best of the race.
Regimental Colours (race 9): Showed a terrific finishing burst, running the best final three furlongs of the race to win with splits of 11.62, 11.71 and 12.61 seconds. Her last 600m totally 35.94.
TRACK TALK
'He is a nice horse, he has a bit of substance to him.' - Jockey Jason Collett on Nashville Jack.
'I was actually watching the race with Charlie (Duckworth) and said 'I don't know what this Tommy is doing, we said we were going to come through them and have the last crack at them'. Then I said after the race 'that's why Tommy is a jockey and I am a trainer'. - Chris Waller after Cigar Flick's win.
'He's a lovely horse. It's taken a fair while for us to get to this point but finally he's starting to show what we've known he has.' - Stable rep Keith Lam on Glorious Moments.
'If I get offered the chance I'll jump on a plane to come back and ride this horse. I'd go anywhere to ride him.' - Jockey Heavelon Van Der Hoven, who moved to Brisbane on Sunday, on Glorious Moments.
'I thought she could improve a bit today. I said to a few people she had a sneaky chance.' Joe Pride after $61 shot Investment saluted.
THIS WEEK IN NSW RACING
Monday: Kempsey
Tuesday: Wagga, Wellington
Wednesday: Warwick Farm
Thursday: Scone
Friday: Kembla Grange, Coffs Harbour
Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Newcastle, Cobar, Tuncurry
Sunday: Wyong, Forbes
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