By Ray Hickson
Race 1 – 12.30pm: CHANDON HANDICAP (1100m)
The prospect of a heavy track throws the two-year-old race open and a recent heavy track trial win might be an advantage for 8. Miss Fleetwood who seemed to get through it quite well in her latest hit out at Canterbury on January 9. She showed speed there and while it was a small field she’s a good chance to get through the ground. There has to be a question mark on whether the $1.6m colt 6. Wodeton lines up but if he does then it means Chris Waller is confident he’ll handle a testing track and that he needs to get his campaign going. There are raps on him and he did trial very nicely behind Namaste a couple of weeks ago. 1. The Magic Man is up and running with three starts under his belt, all on good tracks, and he gave a handy sight before being run down by Rivellino two weeks ago. That race fitness may come into play. 4. Sanctified was allowed to coast to the line in his second trial at Rosehill on a soft 6 surface and he mixed it with Gallo Nero in his first. He goes into the mix.
Gilded Water racing to an easy win at Randwick.Credit: Getty Images
How to play it: Miss Fleetwood EACH-WAY
Race 2 – 1.05pm: TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1400m)
6. Wal’s Angels has some very nice wet track credentials, and he’ll be fitter for a first-up fourth in what should be a strong Highway won by Sir Remlap three weeks ago. He was held up for runs there and probably should have finished in the placings. Ran third behind Belvedere Boys on a heavy track at Randwick last April and he’s hard to beat. 4. Scopics suggested he’s looking for 1400m now after rallying late to nudge Wal’s Angels out of third in that Highway. He’s had the two runs back now and he wasn’t disgraced behind Clear Thinking and Tanglewood in what was a deep Highway on a heavy track back in July, his only attempt in that sort of ground. 5. Fiorsum Fred is racing consistently at this level, hasn’t seen a wet track for a while but both his wins have been on soft 6 and 7 ground. He can run well again. 2. Swift Charm found the line late when resuming in a Benchmark 82 at Coffs Harbour. It was a return to form for him and if the track happened to sneak back into the soft range his chances would be enhanced.
How to play it: Wal’s Angels WIN
Race 3 – 1.40pm: PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1100m)
5. Polyglot looks set for a big first-up performance, and he has both the wet track and depth of form to say he should take plenty of stopping in a Benchmark 72. His maiden win came on a heavy 9 and last start he ran a solid fifth behind Growing Empire at stakes level at Flemington back in September. Two recent trials and looked the part under James McDonald in the latest. Clear top pick. 1. Hezdarnhottoo made a promising return at the Sunshine Coast on a soft track, going down narrowly. Only heavy track exposure was in the Kindergarten Stakes last year so happy to forgive that and consider him some kind of threat. 4. Winchester has a heavy track win from Sandown back in July, that was 1000m and he won narrowly after racing on the speed. Since failed at group 3 level. Recent trial was solid and stays under notice. 2. Iron Hawk showed early promise winning on debut on a Soft 7 then running third and fourth to Autumn Glow. The likely conditions bring him into the conversation.
How to play it: Polyglot WIN
Race 4 – 2.15pm: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1200m)
There might be some value in 6. Herb first-up from a spell with a string of handy wet track performances to his name. Produced a big effort to run third behind Emmadella in a Midway on a heavy track in June and wasn’t far away in a few runs on good ground after winning in July. Whether he’ll need the run is the query but has the right conditions to show up. 16. Shohisha is potentially the best horse in the race given the promise she’s shown in her three starts. Just outsprinted when resuming in the Gosford Guineas, but she did close it off nicely. Does the wet track help or harm her chances? That’s the major issue, if she likes it, then she’ll be very hard to beat. 14. Zouripper shouldn’t be underestimated as he wasn’t disgraced when resuming under 61kg at Randwick where he ran on well from last. Unlucky first-up last prep on a heavy track then won second-up so keep him safe. 4. Chief Conductor caught the eye when resuming over 1000m at Randwick chasing home Audette. Fitter for that, wet isn’t a major issue for him and he generally improves with a run or two.
How to play it: Herb EACH-WAY
Race 5 – 2.50pm: RANVET HANDICAP (2400m)
1. Gilded Water has been nothing but impressive in his two Australian starts and there’s nothing to suggest he can’t go on with the job despite a rise in weight, but that’s for staying in the same class. He’s struck relatively firm ground in both wins and last start when up to 2400m he was dominant. His previous win in the UK was on soft ground, so the conditions should suit. Hard to go past. 11. Jealous could be the big improver going onto a wet track given all three wins have come on soft or heavy ground. Made some late headway at Randwick two weeks ago and is an each-way hope. 9. Impunity is flying at present converting a Hawkesbury Class 1 win into a runaway BM64 win at Warwick Farm. Has to continue to improve but seems to handle wet ground and drops 5kg. 7. Lenape Vibe was a big winner on a heavy track at Rosehill in December then freshened and boxed away okay beaten two lengths by Unlimited. Wet track brings her back into contention.
How to play it: Gilded Water WIN
Race 6 – 3.25pm: RACING AND SPORTS HANDICAP (1500m)
2. Emmadella produced a big second-up win over 1400m where she easily accounted for subsequent winner Magnatear. She was a runaway winner of a Midway on a heavy track at Rosehill back in June and if anything she appears to have come back better. She’ll need to be as she rises to 60kg, but she’s against the mares. Go well. 3. Justela is racing well at present and she scored over this track and distance on a heavy surface a month ago before drifting in the betting when beaten half a length by Inquiring Minds at Randwick. Back to the mares and onto wet ground she can be dangerous. 6. Lulumon is another who will appreciate some give in the track, she won nicely on a heavy track here in December and has been sound in two subsequent runs on good ground at this level. Has to be considered. 9. Perfumist couldn’t be going any better with three wins on end and she was always in control with the light weight at Randwick two weeks ago. Was runner-up as favourite at Goulburn on a heavy prior to her winning streak, she’s up 4kg but couldn’t leave her out.
How to play it: Emmadella WIN
Race 7 – 4pm: ASAHI SUPER DRY JANUARY CUP (2000m)
Is this the day for 1. Osipenko? The bob of the head beat him in the Summer Cup on Boxing Day, but it backed up his excellent effort in The Ingham suggesting he’s close to a win. While he has 59kg his best runs, before last start, were on wet tracks. He was placed in The Gong in 2023 and his last win in the Frank Packer Plate were both on heavy tracks. He has James McDonald to steer and if the weight doesn’t get him this could be his chance. 5. Saltcoats looks a logical danger with the 53.5kg on his back. He’s been impressive in putting two wins on end at Randwick in December and this will be the first seriously wet track he’s seen in Australia. His two NZ efforts on heavy were excellent so you’d imagine he’ll be fine. 4. Hopeful is on the back up after a solid effort at Wyong last week on a good track. It was a nice improvement for his third run back, and he does have some very attractive heavy track form from last preparation with placings behind Eliyass and Sir Lucan in successive starts. Keep safe. 6. Redbreast surprised everybody by not leading in The Lakes at Wyong last week but she did stay on for fourth. She probably gets the chance to control this race and she did win first- up on a soft 7 at Rosehill. Has to be considered.
How to play it: Osipenko WIN
Race 8 – 4.35pm: CAPTIVANT @ KIA ORA HANDICAP (1300m)
5. Cigar Flick arguably should have won both starts in Queensland this preparation at stakes level with bad luck removing her chances. Adept in wet ground and you wouldn’t imagine she’ll find bad luck this time under James McDonald on a wet track. Chance to atone. 6. Excelladus went to Wyong last week in search of a wet track but didn’t rain and he found himself on another good surface, and in a race controlled on pace when running an even fifth. He started favourite there too. He’ll definitely get conditions to suit this time around and that makes him a must for inclusion in the main hopes. 2. Disneck is flying at the moment but now faces a different scenario coming to Rosehill at 1300m on a wet track. His three wins have been on good ground over 1200m at Randwick. However, he has won here and was beaten three-quarters of a length by In Flight on a heavy track back in June at Rosehill. Can’t count him out. 12. Midnight Opal got control in front in a small field at Rosehill last month and got the job done on heavy ground. Led back onto a good track at Randwick last time and boxed on. Capable of showing up.
How to play it: Cigar Flick WIN.
Race 9 – 5.15pm: TAB HANDICAP (1500m)
3. Age Of Sail is an interesting runner first-up at this trip on a wet track. He threatened to win all last preparation but came up empty, though it was his second Australian prep so there’s every chance this will be his best one. Handled a heavy at Randwick second-up at 2000m last time in, and he’s had the benefit of a couple of trials including one over 1200m. In a race with a lot of wet track question marks he’s a good each-way chance. 1. Bunker Hut is bursting to win a race with three seconds, all by half a length or less, on end this time in. Looked home last time until High Blue Sea pounced on him. A wet track isn’t generally a concern for him, whether 1500m on a wet track sees him out is the little niggling doubt. 8. The Little Pumper did a good job when resuming to rally and run third at Randwick in a good form race. He was chopped out at about the 150m mark but came again. Out in trip on a wet track are pluses, especially if he happens to find the front. 4. Lethal Thoughts made some ground from well back when resuming at Geelong. Seems okay on soft ground and he has an each-way prospect.
How to play it: Age Of Sail EACH-WAY
Race 10 – 5.55pm: ROSEHILL BOWLING CLUB HANDICAP (1100m)
5. Spring Lee looks the horse in this race with the most upside, and she’s built a good record in her 10 starts so far. Struck a Soft 6 when runner-up to Commemorative at Scone back in May and it might be handy having trialled on a heavy at Canterbury for her second trial ahead of a return. Has drawn wide but that might not matter by this stage. Go well. 2. Eye Of The Fire is also drawn wide but he has a sweeping win on a Soft 7 at Rosehill three runs back on his record to say it’s not a negative. Probably had to do too much on speed last time behind Disneck and coming back 100m is a plus. 13. Cosmonova didn’t give up the fight first-up when just outgunned two weeks ago at Randwick. She was unplaced in two heavy track runs last prep, but they were at the start of the campaign and she’s now had a run under her belt. Can’t leave her out. 7. Bundeena had genuine excuses when beaten first-up as favourite in a Midway at Randwick. He sat wide throughout and that took its toll. Has placed on heavy ground and no surprise if he improves sharply with a kinder run.
How to play it: Spring Lee WIN.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
