Opinion
It was a good day of racing on Saturday at Rosehill.
There has, understandably, been some criticism surrounding the track bias, which favoured horses on the inside lanes. Four of nine winners were leaders. Of the other five races, four of these were won from barrier one.
Below is my assessment of the day – which includes a wrap of the winners, other notable runners, key stewards notes and a highlight of some successful Roar tipsters from the event.
Race 1 – Schweppervescence – 1400m Group 3
The winner
Saif settled in a favourable part of the track and let down well once off the heels of the leader. He was dominant in victory and deserves his chance in the G1 Sires Produce Stakes, if connections elect to head that way.
There looks to be a few there a bit stronger, however, he will be worth following as a three-year-old in spring.
Other notable runners
Gin Martini missed the start by 2 L – something it has not done in its two starts prior, so I am happy to dismiss that as a one-off. Yes, she utilised what turned out to be the best ground, but she still ran extremely well to finish off for third, having given up that many lengths.
Mr Mozart looked to have cover, but was in the three-wide line on a day where that certainly was a disadvantage. He ran home in an inferior part of the track and still stuck on well for fourth.
Race 2 – Neville Selwood Stakes – 2000m Group 3
The winner
There were no big surprises in this race, with the first three across the line the class horses. The ride from James McDonald won the race for Shared Ambition. His backers were a bit nervous after seeing the pattern of the previous race – where would he land from barrier 8? J Mac took him to the lead, which surprised many, and he kicked strongly to win.
Other notable runners
The only other runner of note from this race is Master of Wine – this looked to be his chance to get back in the winner’s circle.
He was well weighted for this coming back from a string of Group 1 runs (and well rated by many tippers in some of those races), but he was ultimately disappointing, despite finishing third. I’m not sure where they go with him now.
Race 3 – Tulloch Stakes – 2000m Group 2
The winner
It was a great ride on Yaletown from Tim Clark. He was well-supported in the market after the pattern of the early races, and justified this – he led all the way for a nice victory. I am not keen on him for the ATC derby, but he has earned his chance; the last four winners of the race have won the Tulloch.
Other notable runners
The Victorians Young Werther and Cherry Tortoni have to be forgiven runs given they had to fan out on the turn and race wide down the straight. Having said that, the latter may be best suited to 1600m.
A big question that arises for the ATC Derby is what to do with Rocket Spade? The Frontman (eighth in this race) and Milford have both been underwhelming in their Australian debuts.
Perhaps they just have not enjoyed the drop back in distance, or they have not handled the trip over, but the form line has to carry some doubt now.
(Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Race 4 – Emancipation Stakes – 1500m Group 2
The winner
Nimalee had all the favours box seating from barrier one, but made the most of it to score her second win in a row. The stable was rewarded for their patience; they gave her time between runs following a set back from a hoof abscess.
Other notable runners
Quantum Mechanic and Rich Hips ran on well from wide out on the straight, against the pattern of the day. Icebath was also good and could win at this grade soon.
Race 5 – Star Kingdom Stakes – 1200m Group 3
The winner
Signore Fox won this convincingly, he put 1.3 lengths on his closest rival. Barrier one was in his favour, but he did have to peel out across multiple runners on the straight and run over the top of them from approximately four to five horse widths off the fence. Not many were able to do that on the day.
Other notable runners
Like all of the races, there were horses disadvantaged from their position on the track. The beaten brigade were quite bunched over the line, with only 3.5 lengths covering second to 12th, so perhaps they will have to wait until the stronger races in Sydney are over to find their next win.
Race 6 – Vinery Stud Stakes – 2000m Group 1
The winner
Hungry Heart was absolutely awesome to take this race out. It was a hot speed, which of course does favour run-on horses like her. However, no other horse for the day was able to do what she did – come from the back of the field and win.
She is living up to the promise she perhaps failed to fulfil last preparation. This was an excellent win, the run of the day. It will be interesting to see whether she goes to the Australian Oaks or the Coolmore Legacy next start.
Other notable runners
Harmony Rose was great after setting a very quick speed. She looked the winner most of the way but was just grabbed late by a very good filly. She looks like the only other horse to follow from this race into Group 1 assignments this preparation – having beaten the third horse by 2.8 lengths.
Race 7 – Tancred Stakes – 2400m Group 1
The winner
It was great to see Sir Dragonet back in the winner’s stall on Saturday after a very dominant performance in the Tancred. He is set to go back to 2000m next for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where he will have his work cut out trying to turn the tables against Addeybb and Verry Elleegant.
(Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
Other notable runners
Miami Bound ran on well for third, but is a very hard horse to follow. She’s Ideel did an excellent job to run on for second at her first try at this level.
Connections are aiming towards the Sydney Cup if she can get a start; I’d prefer her at 2000-2400m and back a level instead, but it is easy to see why they want to give her the chance with 50 kilograms following the strength of this run.
Race 8 – Doncaster Prelude – 1500m Group 3
The winner
Yao Dash demolished his rivals here to get a chance in this week’s Doncaster Mile. Some had concerns on how he’d go at the finish of 1500m, but he never looked like stopping as Craig Williams notched up his second win for the day with ease.
I am keener on a couple of others in the Doncaster. He would have to defy history to win there; no horse has ever completed the double (Doncaster Prelude into the Doncaster Mile).
Other notable runners
Mister Sea Wolf and Rock probably ran about as well as they could under the circumstances, but were still a long way short of the winner.
Dawn Passage was good after sitting three-wide the whole race, at times without cover. It’s never a good day to do that, but on Saturday it was particularly detrimental. He still loomed as a chance at the 300m mark before peaking out the final furlong.
He’s best suited to 1400m ultimately – if he can find a suitable race at that trip, he will run very well.
Race 9 – Cleanaway Handicap – 1400m BM88
The winner
Starspangled Rodeo took full advantage of the inside rail to lead and win. He showed great fight to hold off a serious challenge.
Other notable runners
Great News ran brilliantly to finish second. She looked like the winner at the 300m mark but probably expended just a bit more than they would have liked to get across after jumping, which told late. Connections will be thrilled with that performance heading toward the Provincial Championships Final in two weeks.
Nudge was super to come home down the outside for third. She travelled wide (with cover) in the run and had to loop the whole field on the turn. She finished only 0.7 lengths off the winner.
She will be worth following next time in a suitable race.
Key steward’s notes on runners
•Krone (race 4) was found to be 1/5 lame post-race
•Oceanex was a late scratching after she was found to have a swelling in the off-foreleg Saturday morning
•Brandenburg (race 5) was found to be 2/5 lame post-race
•Miravalle (race 6) had a poor post-race recovery
•Shraaoh (race 7) lost his off fore plate after jumping and subsequently did not travel comfortably in the race
Shout out to some Roar tipsters at Rosehill
•Roar guru Dixie tipped three of eight winners (Shared Ambition, Yaletown and Sir Dragonet), returning a profit for any punters that followed the proposed unit plays
•Roar expert Cameron Rose found Hungry Heart from the preview of the two Group 1 races
•Roar guru Chris Lewis nailed Sir Dragonet in the Tancred preview
Well done to those tipsters, and good luck everyone for next week.
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