TWO GOOD! Zahra wins back-to-back Melbourne Cups on Without a Fight as three horses pull up lame
Without a Fight completed the rare Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double on Tuesday as star jockey Mark Zahra went back-to-back in the big one after…
Group 1 racing returns to Sydney today with the running of the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill, while Flemington hosts a cracking field for the Makybe Diva stakes (1600m WFA) over 1600m.
Join us here on The Roar at 3:30pm AEST where we’ll cover all the mounting yard action and late market moves for the Makybe Diva at 4:00. Shortly after, we’ll shift attention to Rosehill for the Golden Rose at 4:25.
Makybe Diva Stakes
Dissident has shot into favouritism here with his dominant win in the Memsie Stakes a fortnight ago. He kicked away well from Sweet Idea and looked like he had plenty left to give. He is a deserved favourite on that performance.
However this race looks absolutely perfect for Boban. His record in Group 1 races at the mile is three from three and he will appreciate the wide track at Flemington.
I expect Dissident to roll forward and kick on as he did in the Memsie and he’ll be the main danger.
Puissance de Lune’s run in the Memsie was a huge improvement from his first up effort, and suggests he will be a major player this spring.
Last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner is another who loves Flemington and has a great record at the mile.
Max Ford Tips –
1. Boban 2. Dissident 3. Puissance de Lune 4. Fawkner
Golden Rose
This year’s Golden Rose is a typically strong field of talented three year olds. Peter Moody’s filly Bring Me The Maid is the current favourite but this is very much an open race.
Hallowed Crown looks the winner here. His impressive win in his last start in the Run to the Rose suggests he is strong enough to win here.
With the drying track, Nostradamus comes in with a really good chance here. I think he can grab 2nd.
Bring Me The Maid is certainly good enough to win this race- but I think she appreciates a softer track. A very classy filly who will be storming home late.
Better Land probably would’ve won the Up and Coming had he not been taken off the track by Liberation. Will be on the pace and is my pick for 4th.
Max Ford Tips –
1. Hallowed Crown 2. Nostradamus 3. Bring Me The Maid 4. Better Land