This weekend we head to Rosehill Gardens, my local track, and I am thinking of heading down there for the first time this year so hopefully, I can watch my tips get across the line in first place.
Track Report: The weather is currently forecast for blue skies and sunshine. At the time of writing, track is rated a Soft 5, but I expect Good 4 or even Good 3 racing by the end of the day. Rail is out 3 metres for the entire circuit, meaning leaders should get a slight advantage, with the track already being a typical pace bias track when dry.
Race 1 – 1100M Ned Australian Whisky Hcp
Take your pick here because your guess is as good as mine with the 2YO’s. I pride myself on my 2YO tipping and I started the season off extremely well, but the last few weeks I have been shaky. Hoping to bounce back here with Steel City. Yes, she is the favourite, but I think she would win the Debut up in Gold Coast if she actually gets a start, so she has to be winning against this lot right?
Have to go with Queen of Dragons next as the trial behind one Empire of Japan who is currently the favourite of the MM 2YO Classic and my favourite 2YO running around right now was quite good and with that form alone she has to be in the numbers.
Owners of Fightertown will be hoping he runs well considering he cost $1.1 million at the sales, but his trials did little to convince me that he is ready for the races yet, but I can see him placing. As can Red Resistance. Brett Prebble’s first Sydney Saturday ride since moving here and he could cause an upset with this Waterhouse & Bott colt. Trials indicate a forward showing and the potential on-pace bias will help him. Will also mention that Energized presents as a great roughie option and I would be including him in your exotics.
Selections: 12, 11, 4, 2
Suggested Bet: Steel City Win and 2, 4, 9, 11, 12 Boxed Trifecta
Race 2 – 1200M City Tattersalls Group (Bm78)
Kalino straight out has to be the bet in this race. Was entered into a much stronger field later in the card but scratched to try and get a lay up here and a lay up I think it will be. This horse has run behind the likes of Waterford and finds a dry deck which he will just relish. Top weight, but Dyl Gibbons’ claim gets him down to 59.5kg and I think he flies home.
Garrison presents as a good chance after a nice Midway victory last start and has form around Dehorned Unicorn, as does Sacrimony who is flying in his own right, both present as the main dangers. Xpresso rounds out the selections with the bottom weight attempting to get a hattrick of wins.
Selections: 1, 8, 3, 9
Suggested Bet: Kalino Win (Best Bet)
race 3 – 1500M Tab Highway (C3)
I tell you what Zaru has been hard done by not having more than 2 wins in his career to date. he is always super consistent around the finish, rarely being more than 3-4 lengths off, he has just had the worst luck. Missed jumps, stuck in traffic, finding one better, the list goes on. I think if Clipperton can get him into the right spot he is a massive chance at the current price of $7.
King of Spades obviously has to be in the numbers as he is just flying, including a very tough win last start first up. not sure if he gets the same luck here, as he was able to still take the race in impressive fashion when 4 wide, I feel as though this field can put more pressure on him in the final stages, but he is 100% the main danger.
Danzadel is a Highway stalwart and commands her spot in the selections as she always runs well in this sort of race without winning. Trooper Knuckle rounds out the selections as it is ridden by Amy McLucas who is just flying at the moment and is riding really really well in Highway grade, including a win last week.
Selections: 3, 1, 12, 10
Suggested Bet: Zaru Each Way
race 4 – 1350M Schweppes (Bm78)
I am a massive Contributingfactor guy. I just love the way he conducts business. Every run you know what you’re going to get – jump, get cover, settle at the top of the midfield on the leaders’ tails and then a strong chase to the line. He has been racing with the likes of Jojo Was a Man, Casino Kid and Cross Talk and that is primo form to be having in the Benchmark ranks, I feel as though he is primed for a win.
For Valour is a smart type for the Waterhouse and Bott camp and will probably put in a strong showing here and with a soft lead he could really go all the way with this one. Really well run on New Year’s Day when going down narrowly to Ringmaster who also should be quite prevalent in this one.
I would like to see Per Inaway be a bit handier from his draw and have Dyl Gibbons take the initiative of settling closer to the speed, as I feel he has the engine to match it with the 3 selections already mentioned in the final stages, as long as he isn’t caught too far back in the run.
Selections: 1, 6, 8, 3
Suggested Bet: Contributingfactor Win
Race 5 – 1300M Precise Air(Bm72)
I think this is the race where Brett Prebble gets his first Saturday win back in Sydney on Regal Pom out of the Annabel Neasham camp. He was so unlucky last start, being held up the entire way until the 100M mark. If you go back and watch the run you’ll see Chad Schofield try desperately to weave through without success, but gee she had a turn of foot when she finally found a lane. If she is clear and has that same turn of foot here, she wins. Overs at $9.
Royal Merchant arguably should be in the 3YO Guineas up in Gold Coast, but instead, he’s here and is a deserved favourite mind you, just don’t like his price, definitely better option for more value around. Such as Gracilistyla who has form behind Waterford and I value that form very highly, so I think a quinella with Regal Pom and a trifecta with those 2 and Royal Merchant could be great plays.
Ramones goes in to round out the selections. He comes off a strong win and can use the on pace bias to his advantage, but he is very wide, so I worry about him getting trapped without cover.
Selections: 6, 2, 7, 9
Suggested Bet: Regal Pom Each Way, 2, 6 Quinella and a boxed trifecta for 2, 6, 7
Race 6 – 1200M Midway (Bm72)
Kibosh hasn’t raced in over a year but she is the definition of consistency, especially in this sort of grade. has only missed the quinella once in a total of 10 starts and she likes the ground nice and dry. I think she can definitely return with a win here, especially if she jumps clean and gets to the front of the pack.
Oakfield Duke comes out of a really strong midway last start where he was only a couple of lengths off the finish of Garrison and Essonne. He typically likes to ease into his prep, so I expect a nice run to come here as well. Should have something to say in the final stages.
Broken Arrows is quite the consistent type as well and has come heartbreakingly close to victory so many times this prep and will probably only have a couple more starts left before a spell, can peak here and get a win, if he isn’t caught too wide with that barrier.
Sawrey rounds out selections coming off an impressive runner-up showing on Boxing Day in the same race as Regal Pom as discussed earlier.
Selections: 5, 1, 2, 13
Suggested Bet: Kibosh Each Way
Race 7 – 1100M Kia Ora Captivant (Bm88)
Spacewalk was fantastic without dominating at all in his 2YO season, as well as his Spring last year as well. He should most definitely have about 4-5 wins to his name instead of 1 and I think he finally gets his 2nd here. First up off a gelding is something that always gets me excited as well, he is in for a huge run.
Dehorned Unicorn is a talented type and is currently flying after finally getting rid of I Am me as a foe, but he runs into Spacewalk now and I am not sure if he is up to that level again, but he will be strong no doubt. The same can be said for Mr Mosaic and Midwest, both of which are super chances to both go to the front and stay there the entire race.
This one is really a hotly contested race and one of the better lineups that you will see at the BM78 level as over half the field could certainly produce strong outings in group company if they were asked of it, but I have settled on Spacewalk.
Selections: 8, 4, 2, 3
Suggested Bet: Spacewalk Win and 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 Boxed First 4
Race 8 – 1500M Tab (Bm78)
I’ll be with Banju to make it 2 on the trot. Utilised the Democracy Manifest form to absolutely smash them last start. Drops back 100m which is no issue but does jump an astounding 4.5kg, which concerns me for sure. But he just finished them off with such class last start that I think he can continue on with the job here.
Danish Prince is certainly a horse I have a lot of time for, especially after getting a narrow win last weekend. Jumps up in grade here because of it and quite honestly I think he will hold his own here, as he loves this track and this distance. thanks to Amy McLucas’ claim he is right down in the weights as well.
Major Artie should get a good steer from Dyl Gibbons and his form around Francesco Guardi reads super here. He runs better 2nd and 3rd up than he does 1st up and is built for longer distances, both of which are the case here, so he should be in the finish as well.
Can’t forget Saigon who was robbed by Frumos last weekend and is favourite because of it. Does best work at this distance, but I feel that the track will be too dry for him by this point of the day.
Selections: 2, 3, 1, 6
Suggested Bet: Banju Each Way
Race 9 – 2000M Rosehill Bowling Club (Bm78)
I really love the way that the sons of Frankel do in Australia and Touristic is one of them that fits this profile. He gets out to a distance that will suit him, as he is bred to stay, plus he will start to peak either this start or next, so I am confident that he can play a role in some form or another.
Shocked to see Maurice’s Medad at over $20 as he can hang with the best of them at Benchmark level and should prove difficult to get past if they let him get to the lead, which he most likely will from barrier 4. Tony Be also presents as a strong knockout hope, with his last 2 runs being excellent without winning. He seems to fly home, which could be his undoing if that pesky leaders’ bias comes into effect, but if he is within striking distance come the final 400, he could fly over the top of them.
Irish Legend rounds out the selections thanks to his consistent form at this distance, as well as some strong runs behind the likes of Nugget and Steely.
Selections: 11, 3, 4, 2
Suggested Bet: Touristic Each Way
Race 10 – 1100M Furphy (Bm78)
Kir Royale is a horse that could do really well at a BM80+ grade in my opinion, so I think he will find himself pretty well-suited here and get a nice win. Should jump, work to the front and prove very hard to get past.
Snapped is the victorian raider that comes up and will most likely park right on the heels of the leaders from that inside barrier and certainly has the engine to out run them to the line if he brings his best.
Jewellery is a good horse on its day and would usually be much more favoured, but she’ll be shuffled all the way to the back and will find it hard to run them down. However, the 52kg will certainly help its chances to make up that ground.
Waverider Buoy rounds out the numbers for the exotics.
Selections: 2, 3, 13, 10
Suggested Bet: Kir Royale Each Way
Top Selections For the Card
Race 1: Steel City
Race 2: Kalino (Best Bet)
Race 3: Zaru
Race 4: Contributingfactor
Race 5: Regal Pom
Race 6: Kibosh
Race 7: Spacewalk
Race 8: Banju
Race 9: Touristic
Race 10: Kir Royale
Quaddie
Race 7: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Race 8: 1, 2, 3, 6
Race 9: 2, 3, 4, 11
Race 10: 2, 3
$50 Gets you 26%