3 minute read

There are a number of meetings set to take place on Saturday including at Rosehill who are set to stage a ten race card.

Race 7 Rosehill
Strathtay @ 6.50

Race 7 Flemington
Speycaster @ 3.80

Race 5 Morphettville
Colmar @ 4.80

Strathtay to complete hat-trick

The seventh race of the day at Rosehill is a competitive looking 2400m Benchmark 78 handicap event.

Age Of Sail, the mount of Brad Rawiller is expected to have his supporters for the Kris Lees stable having finished third in both starts this prep.

The second of those saw him beaten less than a length when contesting a 2000m Benchmark 78 handicap on a heavy 8 track here earlier this month.

The slightly quicker going expected here should prove no issue having placed on a good 4 surface at Eagle Farm prior to that.

However, the hat-trick seeking STRATHTAY is preferred racing on his home track for the Chris Waller team.

The four-year-old had winning form in New Zealand prior to crossing the Tasman Sea following a sixth over 1600m at Te Rapa in November.

While the gelding was beaten over seven-and-a-half-lengths in a 1500m Benchmark 72 handicap here first up he has made amends with wins in both subsequent starts.

Both of those victories came over 2000m including when winning by a narrow margin in a Benchmark 78 handicap on a heavy 8 track at Randwick on 6th July.

The son of Preferment had a number of his rivals here behind him last time including the previously mentioned Age Of Sail.

The step up in distance is expected to suit with jockey Benjamin Osmond's three kilogram claim a positive in this contest. 

Speycaster for Cup glory

The 2800m Flemington Cup, an open handicap event is set to take place as the seventh race of the day at Flemington.

Jamie Kah's mount Taramansour is expected to feature prominently in the better having placed in four of his last five starts.

The sole exception in that run came when down the field over 2000m in a Caulfield Benchmark 84 handicap three starts back.

The seven-year-old has since recorded two second place finishes at this track including over 2600m in the Banjo Paterson Series Final earlier this month.

While the extra distance is not expected to pose any issues preference is for SPEYCASTER who is another stepping up to 2800m.

The gelding is a three time winner this prep including in a 2200m Benchmark 78 handicap held on a heavy 9 track at Newcastle in May.

While two down the field efforts followed including in Listed company at Rosehill the selection returned to form with a victory at the same venue on 29th June.

The pick won by nearly two lengths when contesting a 2400m Benchmark 90 handicap held on a heavy 8 track at Rosehill and he represents the Chris Waller stable.

Top hoop Damian Lane boasts an impressive 31% strike-rate (11/35) in the last 30 days and his mount looks capable of helping him improve on that with a win here.

Colmar for Sires' Produce success

The Group 3 South Australian Sires' Produce Stakes is the feature race on the Morphettville card.

The race, set to take place on the Parks track is a 1400m event restricted to two-year-old's.

Dual winner COLMAR recorded the second win of his career when saluting by one-and-a-half-lengths in a 1200m event held on a soft 6 track at Murray Bridge on 15th June.

The gelding went on to register a second place finish when stepped up to Listed company for the Oaklands Plate over 1400m here two weeks later.

The youngster found only a strong finishing hold up performer too good in the Oaklands Plate and he has a decent barrier in six for this contest.

While the pick raced on a heavy 9 track last time he is effective on quicker going and looks up to registering the third win of his career.