There Is Always A Tramway In A Centennial Park
Story By by Gary Crispe
Saturday, 4 September 2010: The five-year-old has only had nineteen starts, which is due to some health issues at times, but I really do think Centennial Park from a good gate at 55kg with Hugh Bowman aboard is the one to beat.
Even if some rain softened the Randwick track he has that covered too.
He ran in this race last year second up and finished fifth beaten less than a length carrying 53kg, after having won fresh up over 1300m under 59kg.
His fresh up effort this campaign saw him finish second over 1100m with 59kg on slow footing and he was beaten by his very fit stablemate Winter King that had 6kg less.
Winter King has since finished second in the G3 Concorde (1100m) behind the highly regarded Reward For Effort, so the form worth stacks up.
The 300m rise second up today for Centennial Park is a slight concern but he does like this trip and his record in this fitness state is sound, with four times presented for a win and three fifths, two of which were very close up and the other beaten just over a length.
One of those second up fifths was in the G3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) on slow footing under 56.5kg and that effort rates highly for form comparison here.
Neeson should win his share of races this campaign and while he wilted fresh up, after setting the pace, the effort was not that bad although backers that bet him into $4 would probably fiscally disagree.
I feel certain trainer Joseph Pride will have piled the work into the Mossman gelding since and second up his record is super, with two wins and a close runner up in such a state.
The natural leader/on pacer will be able to get across early here from an outer gate and in a race lacking much early zip, I do see this four-year-old giving them something to run down with 200m to go.
Peter Robl was unbeaten in two rides aboard Neeson up until the last start fresh up wilting fifth, so expect redemption for both himself and the horse.
The peak Timeform rating for Neeson of 113 came over 1400m in the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas, when getting to the lead from a midfield draw and then leaving them standing in the run home.
Therefore no problems with the trip today and he is unbeaten on slow ground should some pesky rain dampen what looks like a super days racing at Randwick.
Stryker is from the Waller stable and this well thought of galloper was also heavily backed fresh up to finish a wilting fourth in the same race Neeson finished fifth.
The pair may well have not quite handled the Warwick Farm footing.
Stryker has never won second up nor has he scored at Randwick, yet, but he has won over 1400m.
He wants decent footing and from the inside gate this is even more imperative, so under such suitable footing the four-year-old will get a soft sit behind them then strike late.
I notice that the blinkers come off him today and such a removal may well be the key gear change that fires him too a win.
He is a talented galloper but does go some rippers then some ordinary races, so until that consistency arrives bettors still need to be slightly wary.
A third in the G1 Golden Rose last year behind Denman and Trusting at Rosehill reads super and a Timeform figure of 116 was awarded, so when he shoots he scores plenty.
Stryker also has recently been promoted from fourth to third at G1 in the Galaxy (1100m), after the disqualification of winner Ortensia for a positive swab, and he was luckless in that race plus note it was here at Randwick.
Blake Shinn rides for the first time but he does seem suited to the horse, with a sit then pounce scenario.
The winner of the G3 Tramway last year was none other than Rangirangdoo, a Chris Waller trained runner that went on to finally get his G1 victory with the Doncaster (1600m) in April.
Waller may well train back-to-back Tramway winners with Stryker.
Sainthood was not suited at WFA fresh up two starts back but was not totally disgraced, while last start he was not far behind Neeson at the finish from the rail draw,
His wide gate here will suit if Randwick is rain-affected.
Centennial Park gets more form ticks than the rest here and looks to be in the right race at the right stage of his preparation.
Beware the pair of four-year-olds that each slightly disappointed fresh up in Neeson and Stryker, as on known ability, racing pattern and both being on the minimum it puts them in the win frame here.
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