Pro Punter Preview: VRC Recognition Stakes, July 20

Reykjavik and New Universe look tough to beat
Happy to dodge favoured runner Organza
A $12 shot is the value in the early market

Melbourne pro-punter Trevor Lawson brings you his Recognition Stakes preview as the field competes down the straight at Flemington.

#1 Another Coldie (Wilde / Mallyon)

Barrier 8, 60kg

Ran honestly last start, but poorly graded here.

#2 Naval Warfare (Waller / Walker)

Barrier 6, 60kg

Resumes here. Trials only fair, prefer over longer.

#3 Reykjavik (Smith / Yendall)

Barrier 3, 59kg

Had a super win in the Winter Championship at second Victorian start. Looks a promising type.

Lindsey Smith trained Reykjavik ices rivals in the Listed Winter Championship Series Final at @FlemingtonVRC. A 4YO by @stockwell_tb’ Artie Schiller (47 SWs), Reykjavik was bred (& part-owned) by James Ch’Ng and has won six races (with a further 13 placings) for $462,435 in stks pic.twitter.com/G9bvx7hSeU

— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) July 6, 2019

#4 Al Galayel (Maher & Eustace / Zahra)

Barrier 5, 58.5kg

Only just a run first-up, but pulled up lame. Can improve dramatically, rough chance.

#5 Guizot (Purcell / Allen)

Barrier 9, 58kg

Has been up forever. Has peaks and troughs. Will be thereabouts. Rough chance.

#6 Radipole (Moroney / Poy)

Barrier 11, 57.5kg

Ran honestly first-up, then held up at vital stage last start. Rough chance here.

#7 New Universe (Waller / Williams)

Barrier 2, 55.5kg

Has had no luck at past three runs. Steps back out to right trip here and can settle closer from better draw. Williams goes on. All positive.

#8 Organza (Cummings / Dunn)

Barrier 1, 55kg

Had been running well interstate. Well held last week when 28 days between runs. Quick back-up here. Rough chance for mine.

#9 Travimyfriend (Frost / Noonan)

Barrier 7, 55kg

On the quick back-up after a win. This looks different class of race… rough chance.

#10 Holbien (Richards / King)

Barrier 12, 54.5kg

Ran okay last start at this trip. Has some claims.

#11 Wenner (Keys / Meech)

Barrier 10, 54kg

Had two runs back from a spell and been well beaten. Not sure how it’s going, would prefer to see more.

#12 Kentucky Breeze (Kavanagh / Kah)

Barrier 4, 54kg

Ran well first-up then had excuses in past two. Can improve dramatically here, chance at big odds.

#13 Tristano (Cumani / Kersley)

Barrier 13, 54kg

Ran well second-up, then pulled up lame last start. Prefer others.

Verdict

I’ve got Reykjavik on top from New Universe and Holbein. Of those three, Holbein looks slight overs in early markets, while I’ve got the other two marked just on the market price.