By Nick Berney
Lightly raced galloper Roma Avenue lines up in the Weathertex Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) at Gosford on Thursday, and he looks set to peak for the in-form Sara Ryan stable.
Ryan continues to perform well above market expectations, with 13 out of her last 100 runners winning for a profit on turnover of 26.9%.
Trainer Sara Ryan.
Roma Avenue was honest last start at Kembla Grange, and everything about his ratings/sectional profile from that event suggests he is ready to improve third-up.
The gelding sat outside the leader at a fast pace, never shirked his task to the line and can only improve stepping up in distance.
He is proven on all surfaces, has a favourable map, and jockey Tommy Berry sticks.
In addition, some of his career peak efforts have come on tight-turning tracks, and he brings the clear best last start figure.
Belleistic Kids is coming off back-to-back wins on the country circuit and deserves his shot here up in grade.
The four-year-old is in career-best form, is well-weighed after the astute claim for apprentice Jake Barrett and looms as a main danger to the early favourite.
One of the more intriguing races on the card is the Hume Doors & Timber CG&E Class 1 Handicap (1200m), which presents multiple angles.
The Anthony Cummings-trained Pharoah Magic resumed as a gelding at Hawkesbury 14 days ago, and he lived up to his strong trials.
He was heavily backed late in the trade, led at an even tempo, and sprinted away from his rivals to bolt in by a significant margin.
Further, the clock backed up his visual dominance with him recording some of the meeting’s fastest closing splits, and he ran solid overall time relative to the day.
All key indicators suggest he can improve again and expect an aggressive ride from the inside draw with Sam Clipperton riding.
Let’s Try has been in outstanding form, racing consistently and is rock-hard fit.
The Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou runner hasn’t missed a place all campaign and was only narrowly beaten last start in a high-rating race.
He is another honest on-pace type who will roll forward and be hard to catch again.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
