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weekend preview - will he do it?

friday

swan hill Race 3: sir woodpecker (2) - harry coffey. Race time: 2:30pm local time

Sir Woodpecker returns to the races today for a Swan Hill maiden over 1200m. He was last seen running 3rd in a Kyneton maiden back in November, where he was 3rd on that occasion behind Royal Insignia. Royal Insignia has gone on to become a very exciting horse that competed in a Group 1 Australian Guineas earlier this year. Sir Woodpecker comes back to the races gelded and has trialled really well. He is at a very short quote, and based on his form, that price is justified. I think he should be winning today.

  • Spencer's Selections:
  • Win

saturday

Hawkesbury Race 3: neptunite (4) - louis beuzelin. Race time: 1:55pm local time

It’s great to see Neptunite get to the track for the first time in his career on Saturday. He was down to run at Wyong last week, however, the meeting was abandoned. He debuts over 1300m, which is an ideal kick-off point, however, being by Shamus Award, I think he will get out over further in time. The favoured runner in the race, Siesta, has some strong form lines from last preparation and looks tough to beat. I am hoping that Neptunite can be hitting the line well and showing us that he’s ready to step up in trip. 

  • Spencer's Selections:
  • Watch & Learn

randwick Race 9: willydoit (10) - michael dee. Race time: 5:15pm local time

  • Here it is! The most exciting race of the weekend and the most exciting race in the company’s history. Willydoit heads to the $2,000,000 Group 1 ATC Derby over 2400m. He comes here after an absolutely dominant victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby. He did it very tough that day, being 3 wide at the first bend, working for the lead and then turning the race into a true staying test to come away with a 2.5L win. He has travelled over to Australia in incredible order and all reports suggest that he has improved since that run. 

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  • The great thing about 3yo staying races is that majority of the field are trying this distance for the first time, whereas we know that Willydoit absolutely relishes the 12 furlongs. If he can turn this race into a true staying test, I’m confident he will be very hard to beat. If the race is run at a slow tempo, I will be less confident. 
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  • Will he do it? I think he will.
  • Spencer's Selections:
  • Win

Sunday

sunshine coast Race 6: Firebolt (7) - Michael rodd. Race time: 3:45pm local time

  • Firebolt comes to this race off a 7 day back up after a slightly disappointing run last week over 2000m. She went to the lead on that occasion and probably didn’t handle the pressure, given that she was up to 2000m for the first time. Therefore, I think the drop back to 1800m will suit and she gets Michael Rodd back on, which is a very positive jockey booking. I expect her to be in the Top 4 again on Sunday

  • Spencer's Selections:
  • Top 4

sunshine Coast Race 7: Pyrois (14) - michael rodd. Race time: 4:25pm local time

Pyrois gets back to the races over 1200m in a class 3. Unfortunately, I’m not overly confident in him here only because he has drawn a terrible barrier and will have to go back in the field. Whilst he did ashow an incredible turn of foot from the back last start, I feel that with this bigger field, he may be giving a few of these a big head start over the sprinting trip. I expect he will still run well, but in terms of a selection, I will leave him out on Sunday.

  • Spencer's Selections:
  • Watch & Learn

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