By Ray Hickson
Race 1 – 12.30PM PETALUMA HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Arguably the race of the day kicks off Rosehill, and it’s hard not to be impressed by 2. Private Harry and how he’s gone about winning his two starts to date. Sat off them on debut before sweeping past, then led them up and cruised to a seven-length win at Hawkesbury. He’s one of several horses in this race that looks to have plenty of upside, while 1200m holds no fears and gets his chance to show his wares. 3. Theblade romped to an easy maiden win on a wet track at Kensington in August. Trialled well beating Time To Boogie in his only public hitout this time in. Maybe giving Private Harry a start and that could be the difference. 4. Scorching Legend scored a remarkable win when resuming at Canterbury, clearly appreciating getting on top of the ground and perhaps racing off the speed. He gave away a huge start and was still near last at the 200mbefore swamping them. 5. Manuscript stepped out as a $1.50 favourite first up and led all the way to a comfortable maiden win a month ago.
How to play it: Private Harry to win.
Villasaurus romps home on Golden Eagle day and looks a rising talent. Credit: Getty Images
Race 2 – 1.05PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
This race might shape up nicely for 2. Miss Hades to break through this preparation. Fair to say she had every chance third up at Rosehill sitting on the speed, but she was excellent in this grade at Kembla Grange two weeks ago running on into second on a day when it was a little hard to make ground. Should be good speed and meets the winner of that race 5kg better. 6. Justela put the writing on the wall first up before winning that Kembla Grange Midway in good style. Does have the disadvantage at the weights to overcome, but sure to be even fitter. 7. Magnatear was brave when run down in a good form race here a month ago, then led and kicked away, possibly overdoing it up front, but held on for third behind Harlow Mist in a mile Midway at Newcastle. 10. Direct Fire was too quick for them over 1300m at Rosehill last month, then did a bit of work from the wide gate and boxed on well for third behind Justela. Much kinder draw.
How to play it: Miss Hades to win.
Race 3 – 1.40PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
2. Villasaurus did have a nice run when he resumed with a dominant showing in a Highway last month, but won it in the style of a horse that can go on to better things. Proved far too good for a subsequent Highway winner and only meets that horse half a kilogram worse. There should be enough tempo to give him his chance. 1. Everido finished three lengths behind Villasaurus before he posted an overdue Highway win in a close finish at Kembla Grange. 4. Lambay comes through the same race from Kembla where he sat handy and held on for the minor placing. Did start favourite in the Villasaurus Highway three runs back and has a case to run well again. 10. Adolphus is a big watch first up without a public trial, which is something Matt Dale does quite a bit. He stretched to 2000m before a spell so this trip fresh should suit. Also worth considering 14. In Summer off an easy second-up win and 15. Ulysses Blue isn’t the worst at big odds having finally drawn a decent gate.
How to play it: Villasaurus to win.
Race 4 – 2.15PM PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
8. Gentileschi was a huge hidden run in the Highway at Kembla Grange. She didn’t get a shot at them at any stage and turned the corner at the tail on a day when they weren’t charging home from the back, before only being beaten three lengths. She had 58kg, and while up in class here, this isn’t the strongest race and 1800m third up is right for her. 7. Brazil is an up-and-comer and shapes as though the distance will suit. Question mark on the quality behind him last time, but he put a margin on them at 1500m. 6. Bestower backs up after an unlucky third in the Cessnock Cup at Newcastle last weekend. Ran on well into second in this grade a month ago. 4. Heed The Omens was good first up at Kensington and can be forgiven for the second-up effort at Kembla. Perhaps the extra distance is in his favour?
How to play it: Gentileschi each way.
Race 5 – 2.50PM CANADIAN CLUB HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
9. Shangri La Spring is the sole three-year-old in the race and very much an up-and-comer facing his biggest test. Dominant in two wins from as many starts this time in at Kembla Grange and Hawkesbury, and it’s fair to say there are no stars in this race, especially if the top weight heads to Mudgee. Don’t mind the draw, as he’ll roll to the lead and take some running down. 3. Fiddlers Green also comes out of lesser company with an easy first-up win at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks ago. A bit of form has come through that race with Pioneer Lass running well during the week. 5. Bright Red will appreciate the extra 200m on her first-up third at Rosehill. Nash goes on and she will have the chance to stalk. 7. Darling Downs did not look like being beaten when scoring easily on the Kensington track at the end of October. Gap between runs is interesting, but she’s come back in great order.
How to play it: Shangri La Spring to win.
Race 6 – 3.25PM TAB HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
Hard to sway from 1. Bullets High, which backs up after being just a bit stiff at Rosehill last weekend. That was on the back of a close call at Newcastle. There should be enough speed on here and at the 2000m he’s right in his sweet spot. If you’ve been on him of late it’s not time to jump off. 8. Modesty ran up to the support when scoring second up over 1800m a month ago, then went into that fast-run 2000m race at Kembla Grange won by Gilded Water. He worked home nicely into fourth and he’d be the major threat. 5. Morryl Moral set a strong tempo in that race at Kembla, and considering the $41 starting price, he did well to hold on to third. Expect this race will be less frantically run. 12. Be Real is another to come through that race and thought she held her ground OK. Rarely runs a bad race and wouldn’t be leaving her out.
How to play it: Bullets High to win.
Race 7 – 4PM CAPTIVANT @ KIA ORA HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
After watching 7. Drift Net kick clear at the 200m and look a winner, only to be reeled back in late, is probably not the most encouraging set-up to want to jump on, but there are a few things in her favour this time that suggest she’s worth one more chance. We know she’s going to run well, but can she put one away? There doesn’t look to be a lot of speed here and she comes back 100m. Imagine Tommy will hold her for as long as he can and this could be the day. 3. August Bloom is a huge watch first up from a break and on the back of a very nice barrier trial win late last month. She ran well in group 3 mares company before a break and did win first up in the previous prep. 9. How Dare You completely blew the start at Canterbury and when she tacked on was badly held up for a run before getting home nicely late. If luck goes her way, she’s right in there. 5. Captain Amelia won that race at Canterbury in a return to her best form.
How to play it: Drift Net to win.
Race 8 – 4.40PM JAMES SQUIRE HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
14. Bojangles is well up to running a big race third up after a couple of handy efforts this time in under less than ideal circumstances. Outsprinted first up at the short course, then settled well back at Kembla Grange and worked to the line nicely under 60kg in an on-pace dominated race. Drops 8kg, draws well and there’s guaranteed tempo. 2. Spangler might be another run away from nearing his peak, but his return from a year off the scene was excellent. He got well back, but wound up nicely to be beaten four lengths by Uzziah. 7. I’mintowin is the logical horse to beat. He won well first up under 62kg in a race a few grades below this after leading, and he did clock a fast time. No doubt he will cross from the wide gate and look to find the front. 11. Franz Josef is a real head-scratcher. He has had excuses in his two runs back, in the Silver Eagle and the Ladies Day Cup. In the latter he was caught wide near the speed. Much nicer draw and has the blinkers on. Does have a victory over I’mintowin.
How to play it: Bojangles each way.
Race 9 – 5.20PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
10. Dollar Magic is better known for filling the minor placings, but this might be a good opportunity for her to notch another victory. Both recent runs have been sound and she tried hard chasing Tristate at Rosehill a month ago. Has a 5kg weight advantage on that horse this time. 11. Boston Rocks is very smart on his day and wound up his last prep with a solid win at Canterbury carrying 7kg more than he will this time. No public trials, but he has won a couple fresh. 4. Time To Boogie has not raced since January and returns from a tie-back operation. A couple of nice trials leading in, and while he’s drawn out, he does have the speed to go forward. 2. Tristate has to be included and he did carry the same weight to win a benchmark 78 before holding on for third in the Starlight.
How to play it: Dollar Magic each way.
Race 10 – 5.55PM ROSEHILL BOWLING CLUB HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
5. Midnight Opal has the hoof right on the till to break through this preparation. Reacted well to the inclusion of blinkers when chasing I’mintowin home at Kembla Grange. Drawn to land in a handy position again and is a good chance in a race with several leading hopes. 2. Yiska was excellent winning first up at Canterbury, while the runner-up was very unlucky and should have won (and did win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday). Won’t be trapped wide from gate one, has the claim again. 9. Blazing Harry was disappointing as favourite in the same race as Midnight Opal. Didn’t to travel well at all. Inclined to want to give him another chance. 3. Little Beginnings is also an acceptor at Mudgee on Friday.
How to play it: Midnight Opal to win.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
