First-up from a spell after a few weeks in the paddock and I’m keen to get stuck into Saturday’s 10-race card at Rosehill.
There’s a few horses going around that I think could play part in the spring and hopefully we can get a collect out of them.
They went forward on Ningaloo Star (6) last time out and she loved it. Got there comfortably and then bounced off the speed she set turning for home, putting nearly five lengths on them. She’s building a good affinity with stable apprentice Molly Bourke, who again utilises her 3kg claim here and is riding in good form. Seems to always get it right when rolling forward too.
Cripps Tonite (4) looks better than Midway grade. Coming in for his second preparation in Nathan Doyle‘s stable, the former Queenslander has had the one trial and by how he looked there, it would suggest a forward showing on Saturday.
Everyone’s A Star (3) seems to mix her form. Underwhelming last start but highly impressive the run prior. If she wants to perform, the double figures will be overs – but the ‘if’ is the gamble.
VERDICT: Ningaloo Star (6) and Cripps Tonite (4) to run the quinella.
Million dollar colt Emirate (1) was a strong winner on debut in what was a deep race. Was a deteriorating track that day as well but I’m confident he’ll be better on dry. Drawn to get the run of the race from barrier one.
His stablemate Concordia Wind (10) also a winner on debut. She’s drawn well with the returning Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.
Regan Bayliss came off Sovereign Hill (3) last start and said the horse didn’t handle the heavy track. Looks the likely leader and can improve with Rosehill likely to be no worse than a Soft 6.
Omnic (5) runner up at his two starts. Can figure again.
VERDICT: Emirate (1) to win.
Magic Pharoah (18) didn’t have a whole lot of luck first-up from a spell. Got back around Scone, which doesn’t help, and couldn’t find any clear galloping room and virtually went to the line untested. Drawn better, fitter for the run and back to a bigger track suits.
Rematch (1) continues to race well lugging big weights. He’s faced tougher Highways this preparation and is knocking on the door for a win. Take note that blinkers go on for the first time.
Associate (2) hasn’t raced since finishing eighth in the Country Championships Final behind Asgarda. Big winner of the Goulburn qualifier and off that run, has to be a chance in this. Gets 3kg off with the apprentice on.
Amarantz (13) was second to Ningaloo Star last time out. Has to be a strong formline for this.
VERDICT: Magic Pharoah (18) each-way and saving on Rematch (1).
Not the strongest race for a Saturday meeting in Sydney.
Franz Josef (6) lost his unbeaten record at start number three when unable to reel in Captain Furai (19) under a big weight. Drops in weight in a race that is not much harder than what he faced first-up. Fitness benefit and should be able to turn the tables.
Captain Furai (19) does lose James McDonald and is drawn worse than that last start win. Like Franz Josef, he will continue to improve and I’d expect them both to fight it out for first place.
Of the rest, Hokkaido (10) is going better than the form guide suggests. Likely gets the run of the race from barrier two. Overs.
Mogwai (8) is honest. Won at Kembla last start on the heavy.
VERDICT: Franz Josef (6) and Captain Furai (19) to fight it out. The former can turn the tables though.
Todd Smart has a handy one with Love Shuck (1). Thought it was a brave effort first-up at Wagga in a strong race when he set the tempo and kept kicking when the challengers came. Carried top weight that day too and now gets Aaron Bullock in the saddle.
Left Field (3) took the step up to stakes class last start and it took two star horses to beat her – Commemorative and Spring Lee. Replicates that effort and she’s right in the finish again.
In Flight (14) well placed here with the light weight. Joe Pride always seems to know when the time is right to send these progressive gallopers to Saturday grade and she’s drawn well in gate five.
Rush Hour (5) first-up off one trial. Seems to have come back in good order for Nathan Doyle.
VERDICT: Love Shuck (1) each-way.
Valiancy (19) did enough first-up and in a race where most her main dangers are either resuming or drawn poorly, she can break through. Raced wide but stuck on OK and Ashley Morgan, who has been riding plenty of winners lately, jumps on board.
Demiana (16) unlucky not to have beaten Southern Chilli (4) last time out. She’s consistent and with a bit more luck, will get her chance.
Amati (15) has burnt a few bridges but you can’t ignore the fact that she’s consistent. She finds wins hard to come by, but at the same time is rarely far away.
Molly Nails (10) flies first-up and at the distance.
VERDICT: Valiancy (19) to win.
Waterford (3) steps up to 2000m for the first time in his career but looks ready for it now and this seems to be a target race third-up into the campaign. Super run in the Scone Cup when only pipped late by Sky Lab (2), who had the momentum coming down the outside. Tricky draw but this horse is still on the upward spiral and looks hard to beat.
I thought Hosier (4) was a good run out of the same race. Covered ground, exposed three wide the trip and without cover. Loomed at the 300m but ran out of condition late and probably also found them a touch sharp at a mile. Now gets up to 2000m, possibly a bit of sting out and the benefit of race fitness. Good roughie.
Sir Lucan (6) was brave last time out in the Gosford Gold Cup, run at Newcastle. Did plenty of work to find the front and led them along at good splits before Hezashocka pipped him late – they gapped the rest. Drawn much better in gate one and will be fitter than anything in the race.
Star Of India (7) is the market watch. Hasn’t raced since December 2022 when making his Australian debut in the Rosehill Gold Cup and winning it well. Did beat the aforementioned Hezashocka that day along with Doomben Cup winner Bois D’argent but it was obviously some time ago. Did a tendon in pre-training after that, which explains the long lay-off, and gets here off three trials.
VERDICT: Waterford (3) to win with something on Hosier (4) at a price.
For Victory (4) is just racing so consistently and with the draw, I’ve got him on top over stablemate Unusual Legacy (3), who beat him last start. Fitter than anything, back up to 1800m suits, as does returning to Rosehill.
Unusual Legacy (3) is a winner of four from six. Barrier 15 just might be his undoing here. Can’t knock at all on form and he should be peaking now third-up. Could be a nice horse for the spring but I’m with the stablemate here.
Nana’s Wish (11) beat all but a star when clashing with Scarlet Oak last start. Continues to race well and handles all conditions.
Naval Commision (17) up in grade but keeps winning.
VERDICT: For Victory (4) to win (best bet).
Hollywood Hero (1) racing well. Just got a bit too far back last time out at Newcastle in what is already to prove a strong form race. Can settle a touch closer from gate five.
The Dramatist (12) smacked them last time out at Scone. A repeat effort of that and he’ll be hard to beat again.
Green Shadows (9) didn’t handle the heavy last time out. He’s a bit of a ‘nonny’ but can run on at a double-figure quote.
Built (3) on the back up. His best is good enough and gets 3kg off with the apprentice on.
VERDICT: Hollywood Hero (1) to win.
Tough race to finish the card.
Peace Officer (4) first-up from a spell off two trials. I think he’s pretty promising and it seems as though the market has missed him. Fires first-up, Aaron Bullock is in the saddle and he’s a winner at the track.
Jedibeel (8) is promising and beat all but Dollar Magic last time out. Should be near his peak third-up from a spell and is drawn well in gate five.
Legio Ten (3) comes out of that race. Got back to the rear and hit the line strongly. Maps to get a better run.
King Of Naples (2) next best.
VERDICT: Peace Officer (4) each-way in the last.