Timeform Australian SmartPlays: Randwick, Saturday October 6

Timeform Australia have three bets lined up at Randwick

Gary Crispe picks out his three best bets on Randwick's classy card.

Third in last years Group 1 Metropolitan, Lamasery appears poised to claim the 2012 renewal at Randwick on Saturday. The David Vandyke-trained stayer has come back in tremendous order this spring and goes into the event off of a win in the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m). Lamasery's Hill Stakes win yielded a Timeform rating of 120, four pounds clear of his prior peak figure. Like the Hill Stakes, the son of Commands has again drawn barrier 1 and once more is expected to settle midfield before making his presence felt in the final furlong with a long sustained run.

Vandyke's stable star appears well suited by the drop back to handicap conditions where he will carry 54.5kg, only 2.5kg off the minimum weight carried by a majority of the field. Having not raced in the autumn due to a potentially career ending condition and being gradually nursed back to full health, connections have long had this goal in mind for Lamasery and expect they will be rewarded for their patience.

Rain Affair should make a winning return in Saturday's Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m). Rain Affair was most disappointing on resuming in the Concorde Stakes (1100m) where he was upstaged as an odds on favourite by stablemate Tiger Tees. The five-year-old has since been given a four week freshen and showed encouraging signs when winning his latest trial at Warwick Farm on Sep 28. It was only two starts ago Rain Affair threw down the gauntlet for unbeaten mare Atlantic Jewel in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) and just a glimmer of that form should see him claiming this.

Gai Waterhouse has a strong hand to play in the Breeders Plate (1000m) for 2YO colts and geldings. I suspect her charge in the race is spearheaded by War meaning Whittington might be worth taking on. Both have trialled well however it is War who has the boom on him and number one stable rider Nash Rawiller partnering the colt this Saturday is a good sign. Whittington ran second in his trial, running on strongly after missing the jump however will struggle to bounce back if making a similar mistake under race conditions.

Timeform Australian SmartPlays
All at Randwick

Back Lamasery in the 4:40
Back Rain Affairin the 5:20
Lay Whittingtonin the 12:45

Visit timeform.com to download FREE Timeform cards for Saturday's meetings at Flemington and Randwick.