A quality nine-race program is on offer at Rosehill this Saturday, headlined by the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) between the stayers.
We’ve dissected each race and our best bets can be found here.
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Race 1 – 11:20AM – Bowermans Commercial Furniture Handicap, (1400m)
This is a tricky race to begin the program with No’s 1 and 2 potentially headed to Eagle Farm instead.
With that said, if Volcanic Rock lines ups he should prove very tough to beat.
The lightly-raced son of Hinchinbrook has made three starts to date, winning on debut down in Canberra last year before resuming to run second to Overmann a fortnight ago over a touch shorter.
He led for most of the way that day before weakening out over the final stages but I thought he fought back well to finish strongly.
With little speed engaged here, he should be able to run the race on his own terms.
Race 2 – 11:55AM – Highway Class 3 Handicap, (1100m)
Ice In Vancouver was an impressive winner at Tamworth back in April, but I’m happy to take him on coming off a freshen-up in what is also a much tougher race.
Nicci Trix stands out as the value play after gapping her rivals by 2.5L a few weeks ago at Taree.
The filly by Nicconi has won three of her six starts so far for trainer Jenny Graham, while she’s also got some decent wet track form to suggest she can run well if we get a downgrade.
Like Ice In Vancouver, this is her toughest test yet, but if she can get forward she has the talent to win this.
Race 3 – 12:30pm – Bisley Workwear Handicap, (1800m)
This looks like a really nice race for Wicklow coming off his maiden win at Newcastle since venturing over from Ireland.
The Waller-trained three-year-old showed a strong turn of foot when Brenton Avdulla asked something of him down the straight, and with another soft draw to work from on Saturday, I can’t find any reason why he won’t win again.
That win over the mile suggested he’s also looking for further and there’s definite improvement to come.
Race 4 – 1:05pm – Fujitsu General Handicap, (1400m)
Oscar Zulu has raced well without winning recently and can take improvement away from his last start fifth over the track and trip.
I like the fact he’s been kept fresh for this run and it doesn’t hurt knowing he ran third over 1400m in the Group 3 Magic Millions Vo Rogue Plate at Eagle Farm earlier in January.
This is tougher than his last assignment with a few extra kg’s on his back, but the way he finished off the day suggests he might be over the odds at $7.50.
Race 5 – 1:40pm – Acy Securities Handicap, (1200m)
Snowzone ran some impressive races around this time last year and he’s seemingly returned in good order after running fourth first-up to Dream Circle over 1100m.
The son of Snitzel is a proven performer over this trip with four wins and three placings on the board, while he’s also got some very strong wet track form to like.
He should get back in the run and prove tough tough to hold out with Louise Day’s apprentice claim put to good use.
Race 6 – 2:20pm – The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1500m)
Willing to five Air To Air another chance after she missed the start last time out when eighth to Rocha Clock in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone.
The Smart Missile mare has contested much tougher races than this throughout the autumn and really hasn’t been disgraced running third in the Hawkesbury Crown and fourth first-up in the Birthday Card Stakes here at Rosehill.
She won’t want it too wet, but her recent form reads well for this if Jason Coyle can save her best for late.
Race 7 – 3:00pm – Listed XXXX Winter Cup (2400m)
I’m happy to have Parry Sound on top in the feature after just missing out to Polly Grey in the Lord Mayors Cup.
The way he made up ground that day indicates he’ll handle the rise to 2400m, a distance he’s won at previously with a couple of placings also on the board.
If the weather plays to his liking, I’m also keen to have something small on Wu Gok at his current odds.
He never runs a bad race on a wet track and he’s also a two-time winner over this trip. The Waller-trained seven-year-old has mixed his form in three runs this campaign, but if the track is soft enough, he’ll take some catching.
Race 8 – 3:40pm – Precise Air Handicap (1800m)
It’s been a while between drinks since Botegga last won a race, but he has been progressing nicely this campaign to suggest one might be close.
The Snitzel gelding resumed to finish only a nose second to Gem Song in the Newcastle Newmarket before an equally impressive third to Yao Dash in the Doncaster Prelude.
He was far from disgraced when sixth last time out in the Scone Cup and this is also a trip he’s won over previously. If we do get some rain his chances will only multiply.
Race 9 – 4:20pm – Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1200m)
Hard to get past Expat in a race like this.
Even though her return to the races didn’t exactly go as planned when fourth in the Denise’s Joy over a shorter distance, the fact she won three of her four starts in her maiden prep earlier in the year obviously makes her worth forgiving.
Mark Newnham’s lightly-raced filly is two-from-three over 1200m and also owns a win on both the soft and heavy. This is easier than her first-up assignment and she could very well go all the way.