Race-by-race preview and tips for Rosehill on Saturday
Race 1 — 12:45PM ADAM GARDINER FUND JOURNEY (2400 METRES)
2. Shakespear’sgalley was a two-miler when trained in Ireland by Joseph O’Brien, which is the knock on the import: he is dour, very dour. Typically that’s a big negative in Australia, given the sit-sprint nature of our races, but a wet track and 2400m might see him get away with it. The blinkers go on for this first-up tilt and if any trainer can pull this off, it’s Gai Waterhouse.
6. Miyake was only 1¾ lengths off She’s Ideel and Archanna last start over 2000m. That stacks up well for this. He looks ready to win fourth up but the wet track is the knock. The timing looks right for
1. Approach Discreet to have a shot at 2400m for the first time.
How to play it: Shakespear’sgalley each way.
Captivant is the top selection for the feature Golden Gift.Credit:Getty
Race 2 — 1:20PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
2. Obelos travelled to the turn like the winner in a Highway Handicap last start but emptied out the last 150m to run seventh, beaten four lengths by Amy’s Shadow. The times for the run home suggest it was a test late, so there’s the excuse for Obelos. He just went a touch too quick in the middle stages. He was well supported in betting, too. 1. Wichita Warrior is the class runner, hence the top weight, but can he give them all a headstart and round them up with 59.5kg? That’s what confronts Keith Dryden’s gelding from the outside draw. He found the line nicely first up over 1200m at Canberra.
How to play it: Obelos each way.
Race 3 — 1:55PM QUINCY SELTZER HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
4. Petronius should get complete control looking at the make-up of this field. Like the pairing with aggressive rider Nash Rawiller, too. The Gary and John Moore-trained four-year-old was nailed late by 3. Fortress Command last start at Warwick Farm when an odds-on favourite, but Navy Cross made a nuisance of himself throughout, which left Petronius vulnerable late. That’s the way it played out. Petronius wanted to lay out in the straight, too. Rawiller will be having none of that. Prior to last start, Petronius finished fourth in a blanket finish at Randwick alongside Icebath and Criaderas. 2. Dancing Gidget comes out of two very slowly run races, so her performances have been a lot better than they look on paper.
How to play it: Petronius to win.
Proven Class will look to add Saturday's Country Classic to her Highway Handicap victory last month.Credit:Getty
Race 4 — 2:35PM DRINKWISE COUNTRY CLASSIC (2000 METRES)
It looks to have been a very targeted preparation to get 1. Express Courier here fourth up. The Keith Dryden-trained five-year-old has returned in exceptional order, sweeping home from last to win over 1300m first up before giving his rivals a galloping lesson at Canberra third up out to the mile. The son of Foxwedge is two from two out to 2000m. He handles all surfaces, only peaks now and draws perfectly to stalk the speed forward of midfield. 12. Rent A Rock might not have the class of some of his rivals, but there will be no fitter horse here, with the four-year-old on a four-day back-up after winning at Goulburn on Wednesday. He’ll make his own luck and won’t go down without a fight.
How to play it: Express Courier to win.
Race 5 — 3:15PM KIA HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
2. Stockman just missed out last Saturday behind Elaborate on a deteriorating Rosehill track. The race set up perfectly with it being fast run in the early stages, but the four-year-old was strong late. Expect the son of Tavistock to flatten out a touch now as far as speed in his legs goes, but what won him races in town last campaign out to 2000m and beyond was his ability to sustain his closing speed. That’s where jockey Sam Clipperton staying on is of huge importance. He’ll know exactly when he needs to get on his bike to give Stockman the chance to click through his gears. 9. La Gai Soleil, like Stockman, also has plenty of upside. 3. Vegas Jewel’s form is rock solid for a race like this and the trip, gate and set-up shouldn’t leave her with any excuses.
How to play it: Stockman to win.
Race 6 — 3:55PM GOLDEN GIFT (1100 METRES)
With Enthaar in the paddock, 2. Captivant is the best-performed two-year-old we’ve seen in Sydney. Up until this early point in their careers, of course. The Capitalist colt put a space in his rivals on debut in the Victory Vein, and all of that dominance came with a powerful last 200m. Should relish 1100m off that and, with Peter and Paul Snowden at the helm, he’ll get every chance to realise his potential. The training duo finished first and third in this race last year. Unknown in the wet is the only query. Big watch on Hawkes-trained debutant 7. Hunnam. The fact the colt lines up here on debut raises a flag already. 1. Ghostwriter won over 1100m on debut in Queensland, which is a great grounding for this.
How to play it: Captivant to win.
Positive Peace wins the Nivison at Randwick last month.Credit:Getty
Race 7 — 4:35PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HOT DANISH STAKES (1400 METRES)
3. Positive Peace bounced back in the Nivison last start, having underperformed in the Angst Stakes the start prior. Her first- and second-up runs were much better than they appeared on paper, as the five-year-old didn’t have any luck from inside draws. Despite being 1600m back to 1200m in the space of two weeks, the daughter of Stratum still had the toe to sit outside of the lead, taking full advantage of the deteriorating Randwick surface. The set weights conditions also play into her hands, being a winner of nine from 22. 10. Wandabaa probably should have beaten Positive Peace last start if she got out a stride or two earlier. It’s incredible how consistent this mare is. She has missed the top three just twice in her 17-start career.
How to play it: Positive Peace to win.
Race 8 — 5:20PM IRON JACK HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
1. Frosty Rocks won three from eight last preparation and, when it all falls into place for the free-rolling grey, he is very hard to run down at this level. From what we’ve seen from the Bjorn Baker-trained gelding in his 13-start career, he is a control freak. The map is crucial to his chances here. His asset is his cruising speed. Drawn in barrier two, Frosty Rocks does look the leader. First up last campaign he won well over1100m before three starts later smashing the clock when winning by the length of the straight at Warwick Farm over 1300m on a wet track. 12. Greek Hero is very dangerous. Will need the race to be truly run to win, given where he is drawn and resuming over 1300m.
How to play it: Frosty Rocks to win.
Race 9 — 6PM CHANDON HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
3. Intrepidacious had been trialling exceptionally well prior to her resumption at Warwick Farm and she took that form to the races, towelling up her rivals. This four-year-old has returned better than ever. Would just be a lot more confident about her chances on a firmer track. The daughter of Shooting To Win has a soft-track win to her name, but that was a Canterbury soft five and on debut way back in 2018. Her runs on wet tracks since haven’t been flash. That’s the worry here. Maps to park outside of 10. Willowheart and get her chance. There isn’t much pressure otherwise. 9. Trajection won four races last campaign and like the way she has trialled this time back.
How to play it: Intrepidacious to win.
Tips supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au