3 minute read

​​​Selections, best bets and value plays from Chris Scholtz for the San Domenico Stakes meeting Rosehill on August 31 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.

ROSEHILL August 31

Good 4; Rail 2 metres

Best Bets

RACE 2 (7) VIVY AIR: Rates highly on her Group form and you have to expect she will strip fitter for her strong first-up second over 1200m at this course a month ago. This distance will suit and confident she has bypassed recent meetings to wait for a good track. James McDonald sticking with her is the decider.

RACE 5 (5) UP AND UNDER: This import's luckless first-up effort in an unsuitable race was a beauty and is another well placed to appreciate a good surface on his home track. The J Mac factor also applies again and as a multiple Group placegetter he rates as the one to beat in this even field.

RACE 6 (2) GATSBY'S: Made an impact when he delivered a resounding first-up win in the Listed Rosebud over this course and distance where his turn of foot confirmed the high potential he displayed last season. He can complete a J Mac treble as he will stalk the pace and be poised to exploit his fitness edge over his main rival.

Selections

RACE 1: (11) KONING; (5) Agita; (10) Ambassadors; (3) Arts   

RACE 2: (7) VIVY AIR; (3) Sequestered; (8) Zarrose; (11) Mountain Top  

RACE 3: (11) UP THE COUNTRY; (2) Super Norwest; (8) Ballinderry Sal; (17) My Mate Kate 

RACE 4: (12) I AM THE EMPIRE; (5) All In The Mind; (4) First Light; (2) King Of Clubs

RACE 5: (5) UP AND UNDER; (3) Unusual Legacy; (9) Too Much Caviar; (6) Zondee   

RACE 6: (2) GATSBY'S; (1) Storm Boy; (6) Mayfair; (4) King Of Roseau       

RACE 7: (5) AUTUMN GLOW; (4) Enriched; (3) Snack Bar; (8) Axius  

RACE 8: (10) AMOR VICTORIOUS; (5) Ceolwulf; (14) Riyazan; (6) Charterhouse

RACE 9: (12) WILLAIDOW; (16); Thunderlips; (11) Battleton; (2) Bubba's Bay

RACE 10: (4) SEBONACK; (2) Headwall; (7) Briasa; (3) Blanc De Blanc

Why They Can Win….

RACE 1: (11) KONING - Fit and weighted to advantage. Value play in an open race.

RACE 3: (11) UP THE COUNTRY – Consistent mare will appreciate these conditions. Another value play.

RACE 4: (12) I AM THE EMPIRE – Strong second last time under 58kg. Sure to appreciate weight relief.

RACE 7: (5) AUTUMN GLOW - Debut figures say she's potentially top shelf. This will tell us more.

RACE 8: (10) AMOR VICTORIOUS - Took a classy G1 winner to beat him first-up. Fitter and should control the pace.

RACE 9: (12) WILLAIDOW – Impressive improver. No reason why he can't repeat with 2.5kg less.

RACE 10: (4) SEBONACK – Strong late when first up. Luckless record but he's well placed this time.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – August 31-September 1

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Waltham (R4); Unusual Legacy (R5); Storm Boy (R6); Mayfair (R6); Snack Bar (R7); Land Legend (R8); Briasa (R10); Blanc De Blanc (R10); Angara (R10)

CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Kallos (R5)

KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Hammett (R4); Polymnia (R5)

WYONG SUNDAY: The Act (R3/R4); Ex Wife (R3); Generous Harry (R3); Wild Sensation (R3); Excelindeed (R5); Queen Of Dragons (R7)

NEWCASTLE TUESDAY: Firm Agreement (R2)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Asuriita; Last Command; Spirit Of Wealth; Countyourblessings; Kimochi; Via Sistina; Ameena; Joliestar; Wave Breaker; Agenda Setter; Enriched; Starmae; Lilac; Drifting; Gatsby's; Autumn Glow; Tom Kitten; Runranirun; Theblade; Mogul Monarch; Golden Path; Schwarz; Our Kobison; Maikrow; Zeitung

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL August 20: Smart Missile grey BRIASA won his first three starts last season, following up two provincial wins with a midweek success in March and April. He'll rise further after making a classy return in his 900m heat (54.74; 34.46), sitting one and one back in fourth before cruising past the Group performer Spacewalk with a lovely relaxed action over the last 100m for a soft win. KALLOS worked in excellent style in the fastest 900m heat where a tearaway cleared out to lead by eight lengths on the turn before he cut the margin back to just over a length at the finish with impressive work over the last 200m. It was a firm statement that he is ready for a good spring prep. A bit of a boom is growing around unraced Zoustar colt THE ACT with two wins and two placings in his four trials since April. Too classy for his rivals in this slow 900m heat (55.04; 34.81) but it was a stylish effort as he crossed easily from a wide gate to lead after 200m and easily maintained a three lengths advantage over his rivals from the turn under no pressure. Other quality runners to lay down nice markers for the spring with strong trials included QUEEN OF DRAGONS and SIVKA BUBKA. 

RANDWICK August 19: Heavy conditions for black type heats on the Kensington. Nice work late in Heat 1 (1250m) from the Galileo import LAND LEGEND in his second trial since he won the St Leger on his Australian debut last October. Definitely a horse to follow into the spring. In Heat 4 (850m) STORM BOY jumped into the lead and ran them along to record a clear cut win (51.00; 34.16). MAYFAIR, a promising 3YO from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, stood out with an impressive win in his 1050m heat on the A Grass. The last start Rosehill winner is set to rise in grade after a classy win in the fastest heat (62.77; 33.85); travelling strongly under a big hold from Tim Clark and running easily to the line to score by more than three lengths. It looks a formality for Exceed And Excel EXCELINDEED to pick up a maiden win after backing up his recent Warwick Farm trial win with another sharp performance to run away with his 1050m heat by almost five lengths in good time for the session (63.52; 34.65). Showed a good change of gears to extend over the last 200m. Other heat winners on the A grass to make an impression included FIRM AGREEMENT.

RANDWICK August 5: STORM BOY made his return with a solid win in slow 850m heat (51.58; 34.36). He was put under pressure to get the upper hand on the line from the quietly ridden Moravia, who led strongly and was always travelling better than the winner. GENEROUS HARRY has been placed in two of his three race starts and is primed for first up win after backing up his July 19 trial win at this course with another impressive piece of work to win his 740m heat in the fastest time of the session (43.25; 32.70).  Moved fluently under no pressure to run away with the heat by almost four lengths.

HAWKESBURY August 5: Big trial from unraced Zoustar colt THE ACT, sitting three wide outside the leaders in his fast 800m heat (47.05); 33.05) under a tight grip from the start and idling alongside them over the last 200m. Could have won the trial easily if asked for a serious effort.

WYONG July 29: ANGARA, an interesting 4YO by Frankel, impressed with his strong work to win his 845m heat in good time (51.73; 34.39). The feature was the way he was taken three wide from the 500m without coming off the bit to collar the leaders and run through the line with plenty in reserve.

WARWICK FARM July 26: In the 2YO heats – soon to be 3YOs - the better performers included the heat winner EXCELINDEED.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – August 31-September 1

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Agita (R1); Sequestered (R2); Up And Under (R5); Ceolwulf (R8); Battleton (R9); Thunderlips (R9); Bubba's Bay (R9)

CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Aviatress (R7); Lavish Empire (R10); Snowman (R10)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: John Rambo (R5); Kadall (R8);

WYONG SUNDAY: Tulsi (R7)

BLACKBOOKERS – Selected August 24

(Follow for next 3 starts)

DEMOCRACY MANIFEST; DRAMMATICA; ERNO'S CUBE; PALAZZO PRINCE; PHOTOGRAPH; SUPARAZI

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: The Englishman; Boom Torque; Kundalini; Daytona; Hellavadancer; Yorkshire; Amigo; House Of Cards; Shiny New Deel; Invader Zim; Rogue Bear; Piastri; Madame Odette; Kapakiri; Batrana; Aramco; Don Diego De Vega; Rezone; Wyclif; Matisse; Tiffany Valentine; Craig; Celebrity Prince