NSW Blackbookers and Horses To Follow

Looking for NSW horses to follow each week? We pick out the best blackbookers each week from Sydney’s metropolitan meeting and highlight which runners to put in the black book.

From winners of feature races to unlucky losers and first-up gallopers outrunning expectations, we select three or four horses each week to add to your blackbook from NSW Saturday racing.

Here are some horses to put in your blackbook:

Horses to follow from Scone on Saturday May 18

BLACKBOOKERS 📓

UNUSUAL LEGACY

JEWELLERY

IOWNA MERC

Track Rating:   SOFT 6

Race 4 – BENCHMARK 78 HCP (1700M)   UNUSUAL LEGACY  📓
The Chris Waller-trained gelding was second-up on Saturday where he showed a lot of improvement by taking out this contest. In the driving rain, he was mid-field between runners when they cornered and from there to the 200m mark, he sandwiched and tightened for room. Rory Hutchings finally pushed him clear of the traffic and from there, he hit top gear and went to win, eased over the final 50 metres. He is a winner when third-up as well and with four wins from just seven starts on his resume now, he should be kept safe in the blackbook.

Race 5 – BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1300M)   JEWELLERY  📓
The James Cummings-trained mare was second-up on Saturday where she finished in the minor money again, but caught the eye in this contest. Zac Lloyd chose to stay near the fence as they turned and was held-up momentarily and as they sprinted, he was still four lengths off them. He took ground off the first two all the way to the line and was beaten just over a length as they past the post. The lightly-raced four-year-old will strip even fitter off her first two runs and should be ready to pounce from here on.

Race 7 – ORTENSIA STAKES (LISTED) (1100M)   IOWNA MERC  📓
The Winning Rupert gelding was fresh off a 23-week absence and lost no admirers with his efforts on Saturday. He drew the outside gate (10) and settled back in the field. Turning for home, he could see them all and was the widest runner and while no realistic chance of winning, he stormed home to grab third prize, beaten less than a length on the line. He is a two-time winner when second-up and a drier track would help his cause next time. Stick with him just the same as his next win isn’t far away.

Horses to follow from Hawkesbury on Saturday May 4

BLACKBOOKERS 📓

SPACEWALK

FALL FOR CINDY

CONTEMPORARY

Track Rating:   GOOD  4

Race 5 – HAWKESBURY XXXX GOLD RUSH LISTED (1100M)   SPACEWALK  📓
The James Cummings-trained gelding was first-up on Saturday after 19 weeks off the scene and did well to finish third behind his stablemate (Parisal). Held-up on straightening, he was conceding Parisal three lengths and 3.5kgs on weight which proved the difference in the end. While Parisal was impressive, Spacewalk has a glowing fresh record which shows a victory when second-up and he is a two-time winner when third-up so it should pay to stick with him.

Race 9 – BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP (1400M)   FALL FOR CINDY  📓
Trained on the track by John O’Shea, the Sacred Falls mare was second-up on Saturday and impressed when dead-heating for first across the line with Rise Of The Masses. Listed as an emergency, she secured a start (after scratchings) and ridden a treat by Jett Stanley. Searching for a split, the mare was sandwiched between runners inside the final 200m, forcing Stanley to stop riding and straighten her, which clearly cost her an outright victory in the race. She now has six podium finishes from her past seven starts and will only strip even fitter from this hit-out. Keep her safe for now.

Race 10 – BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1100M)   CONTEMPORARY  📓
Another Godolphin galloper who resumed on Saturday and was arguably the most impressive of the first-up winners. Drawn out in barrier eight, the Exceed And Excel gelding was never on the track, caught four and five deep to the turn. On straightening, the four-year-old gelding was even wider but responding to Nash Rawiller’s riding, finished all over the top of the 11-strong field and with 60kgs to carry, crossed the line more than a length in ahead of them in the end. Placed twice in two previous second-up runs and a two-time winner when third-up, he has more to offer yet so stay with him.

Horses to follow from Rosehill on Saturday April 27

BLACKBOOKERS 📓

POINT AND SHOOT

SUMO STAR

MANHOOD

Track Rating:   GOOD  4

Race 1 – TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP (1100M)   POINT AND SHOOT  📓
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt was on debut on Saturday and unable to go the early speed, drifted back to last, eight lengths off the lead. There he remained until they cornered when Sam Clipperton asked him for a final and while too far back to threaten for the first prize, he stormed home down the centre of the track, arriving in time to grab third prize, beaten less than a length on the line. He shows plenty of upside and it will pay to keep a watchful eye on this fellow.

Race 2 – MIDWAY HANDICAP BM72 (1100M)   SUMO STAR  📓
The Gary Portelli galloper secured a run after scratchings and was first-up after an 11-week break. Slowly away, he settled second-last a dozen lengths off the pace. Turning for home, Jett Stanley steered him out to the centre of the track where he ran into trouble (almost bumping another runner) and had to be eased before Stanley got him going again where he hit the line strongly to arrive in time for third prize. He is yet to miss a podium finish when second or third-up and should be followed carefully at his next few starts.

Race 7 – BM94 HANDICAP (1100M)   MANHOOD  📓
The Annabel Neasham-trained five-year-old was fresh off a lengthy 21-week break on Saturday and while clearly in need of the run, ran a very impressive final 200m here. Jett Stanley settled him in fifth spot, one off the fence and kept him quiet before the turn. As they straightened, he was spotting the leaders five lengths and inside the last 300m, asked him for more and obliged. Finishing strongly, he arrived in time to collect second prize, beaten less than half a length on the line. Already a winner when second and third-up, We can collect off him in the very near future.

Horses to follow from Randwick on Saturday April 20

BLACKBOOKERS 📓

ALWAYS SURE

DIRTY MERCHANT

SCARLET OAK

Track Rating:   HEAVY  8

Race 1 – MIDWAY HANDICAP BM72 (1400M)   ALWAYS SURE  📓
Previously unplaced in five starts on wet tracks, the Sara Ryan-trained galloper surprised many when he ended up a fast finishing second on Saturday at double-figure odds. Settling worse than mid-field and 15 lengths off the pace, he looked a lot more than a $10 chance at that point. Sticking to the fence, Tim Clark saved ground and drove the six-year-old to the line where he arguably finished better than any of the 15-strong field to finish just four lengths from the winner in gloomy conditions. Already a winner when second-up, he looks like one to follow for now.

Race 2 – HIGHWAY HANDICAP Class 3 (1400M)   DIRTY MERCHANT  📓
The Merchant Navy gelding was second-up on Saturday and franked his first-up Mudgee effort by collecting second prize again in this contest. Jumping form gate nine of twelve, Chad Schofield drove him to the lead on settling where he set a good pace. Still showing the way as they turned, he was travelling well to that point when the short-priced favourite (Belvedere Boys) gave him the go by and went on to win. The Cameron Crockett-trained galloper was gallant in defeat and fought on well to hold onto second prize. Already a winner when third-up, a return to country racing could see him in the winner’s circle real soon.

Race 3 – JAMES H B CARR STAKES GROUP 3 (1400M)   SCARLET OAK  📓
Chris Waller’s three-year-old filly was having just her second race-start (and first on Australian soil) on Saturday where she showed her debut win was no fluke. Settling mid-field on the fence, she loomed-up on the turn and gave her all in the run home but couldn’t match it with stablemate Konasana (who is a previous winner on wet tracks), but fought in bravely for that second prize in the end. The Kermadec filly shows plenty of promise and looks well worth following for a few more yet.

Horses to follow from Randwick on Saturday April 13

BLACKBOOKERS 📓

EL CASTELLO

MISTERKIPCHOGE

JOLIESTAR

Track Rating:   SOFT  5

Race 1 – FERNHILL MILE LISTED (1600 METRES)   EL CASTELLO  📓
Having just his second race start, the Anthony Cummings-trained colt turned plenty of heads with his fighting qualities on Saturday when he fought back to take home second prize in this contest. Under heavy pressure on the turn, he appeared to be weakening out of contention when inside the final 200m, he found a second effort for Josh Parr and kicked on to grab the runner-up cheque on the line. He ran around as a $17 chance but don’t expect those odds at his next start.

Race 2 – SOUTH PACIFIC CLASSIC LISTED (1400M)   MISTERKIPCHOGE  📓
The Chris Waller-trained gelding was first-up on Saturday and showed signs of his Ocean Park bloodlines when he came from last to finish less than three lengths from the winner in this contest. Nearing the turn, the three-year-old could see them all, sitting 15 lengths off the pace and then ridden with plenty of confidence, Jay Ford drove him to the line. Finishing better than anything else in the race, looking to go around again. He is clearly looking for further and he looks like an up-and-comer who you should stick with for now at least.

Race 5 – ARROWFIELD 3YO SPRINT GROUP 2 (1200M)   JOLIESTAR  📓
The Chris Waller-trained filly resumed off a lengthy six-month absence on Saturday and did it in style when she franked her Group 1 Thousand Guineas win at Caulfield last start, by taking out this Group 2 contest. Ridden a treat by Jamie Kah, she took the split when it came (inside the final 300m) and after hitting the front, fought off the late challenges to get the job done. That was a mighty effort to grab a black-type win on fresh legs and puts her in good stead for more victories this time in. Keep her safe for a few more.