Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Rosehill Preview

RACE 1

Plenty of hot weather around this week however cooler conditions on the weekend, looking at a dry track for Group 1 Golden Rose Day. We kick things off with a 1500m Highway where I’ll stick solid with the consistent, yet unlucky TAKE THE KITTY. He’s managed get into traffic issues at each of his past 3 starts looking a good thing beaten on more than one occasion. Zac Lloyd jumps on today, hopefully he can bring about a change of luck! The lightly raced ATMOSPHERIC ROCK continues to race well, third up should be peaking & wasn’t far away last time out here. STORMY WITNESS will need luck from the carpark alley.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 2 – 9

Suggested Bet: TAKE THE KITTY TO WIN


RACE 2

Usual big field to line up in this week’s Midway. FLYING DESTINY the horse to beat, racing in great form at present having won both starts this time in at the provincials, yet to have a crack at this grade as he’s only lightly raced however the way he’s going there’s no time like right now. He settles on speed & comes up with the inside draw, that’s perfect around here. BEND THE KNEE did show promise early on however has gone off the boil, encouraging signs first run for the new yard placing at Canterbury clocking slick sectionals home. PEACE OFFICER also looks a good chance in the race.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 7 – 16

Suggested Bet: FLYING DESTINY EACH-WAY


RACE 3

This race likely depends on how soft a lead HOWGOODAREYOU gets away with. Last start she was allowed to dictate & was never going to be headed, MARQUESS did run home well against the tempo into second & meets her 2.5kg better at the weights. Then we throw in TARAZAL who has been beaten only once this prep & that was by the highly impressive Just Fine who scored in dominant fashion once again last Saturday at Randwick. He’s the way I’m leaning, just hope the race is run at a genuine tempo.

Numbers: 4 – 8 – 9 – 3

Suggested Bet: TARAZAL EACH-WAY


RACE 4

Slightly awkward draw on paper for OZZMOSIS however the map suggests he won’t have any issue getting over to either lead or sit outside the pace. Unbeaten winning both starts dominantly he resumes against some very handy opposition however based on his recent barrier trial win he’s up to the task & ready to go! KRISTILLI’s first up run must be completely forgotten, trialled well since & keep in mind second to Kimochi & a win over Tiz Invincible at her only other outings suggest she can bounce back hard. Wouldn’t be leaving BARBER out.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet: OZZMOSIS TO WIN (if not a market drifter)


RACE 5

Happy to give VERONA another chance in this race. Completely dominant two back this track beating easier opposition over 2400m before a month off into a stronger race set an impossible task from a long last running into 3rd spot late. The smaller field here suits as she will get back again & she drops a kilo with Zac Lloyd to steer. Leaving AL AABIR in the mix, looked a chance before the home turn last week travelling well however he just didn’t let down, expect improvement with ‘the magic man’ Joe Moreira on board.

Numbers: 9 – 7 – 6 – 2

Suggested Bet: VERONA TO WIN/SAVER AL AABIR


RACE 6

ESPIONA & ATISHU were both terrific returns in the Sheraco behind the Everest bound Sunshine In Paris. Problem is they are off pace runners & there doesn’t look to be a strong tempo likely in this race, I’ve got ESPIONA ahead of ATISHU on the map though so I’ll lean her way. Plenty will tip ZOUGOTCHA who gets to a more suitable trip & will be primed third up. MORE SECRETS certainly not without a chance either, good fresh record.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics


RACE 7

WATERFORD is a promising galloper going around second up this afternoon with plenty of upside. His return outing in the Group 2 Theo Marks here a fortnight back was terrific running home strongly. Fitter & stepping up in distance are both positives. CEPHEUS will roll forward & likely tag Cross Talk in the run, is a winner here this track & trip. Don’t be surprised to see KIRWAN’S LANE run a race, second up record is very good & wasn’t far away when resuming.

Numbers: 7 – 3 – 1 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics


RACE 8

Cracking bunch of 3yo’s to go around in the Group 1 Golden Rose, typical of what you’d expect at this level, many different form angles to consider. I’m going away from the highly rated runners & suggest something each-way ENCAP who many will say is not up to these & that may well turn out to be the case. However, he’s proven at the trip, is hard fit still with improvement to come & with a gap in the straight he’s going to finish hard. Big wrap for SHINZO, no knock CYLINDER who will be peaking now & cannot overlook KING COLORADO who was completely out of luck in the Winx Stakes first up.

Numbers: 8 – 2 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet: ENCAP EACH-WAY (small bet)


RACE 9

Open race. DANISH PRINCE may not be the horse with the best record or most potential engaged however he does get in well with his rails draw (settles handily) & big weight drop down from 58kg last start to 53kg here. He meets the well fancied CHORLTON LANE 3.5kg better for a clash here back in August with less than a length between them in CHORLTON LANE’s favour. VIENNA PRINCESS has the finishing sprint to beat them all on her day, she just might need this run though.

Numbers: 10 – 9 – 8 – 11

Suggested Bet: box up top 4 selections in exotics


RACE 10

Big field which will be culled after scratchings back to a maximum of 14 starters. I’ll go with TRISTATE as I feel he’s one of those 1000-1100m horses who finds 1200m too much of an ask, he’s back in grade for this as well as distance however does have a significant weight rise. OJAI struggles to win however second up & fitter is in with a place chance.

Numbers: 6 – 13 – 11 – 7

Suggested Bet: TRISTATE EACH-WAY (small bet)

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