3 minute read

Tips For Rosehill Gardens

2. Zaru has found a terrific level of consistency in Highway Handicap company this preparation and that run looks set to continue on Saturday given another perfect set up for the five-year-old. Trainer Joseph Burgess has Zaru in career best form. Zaru won a Highway two starts ago in Class 3 company at Rosehill before tackling this same track and trip a fortnight ago and just missing in a tight finish. Leading apprentice Dylan Gibbons gave Zaru the perfect steer before presenting like the winner only for Baledon to run him down on the line. Interesting that the winkers go on for the first time, presumably with that in mind. Zaru has drawn perfectly, mapping to get the run of the race again with Gibbons sticking, which sees him in with 54.5kg. Only has to hold his form.

Dangers: It might be one run too soon for 1. Jalmari but he is ready to do something now third up out to 1400m. The four-year-old made steady ground at Randwick last Saturday well away from the coveted fence, and he did it with 61kg. It was a big run. 17. Miss Thatcher caught the eye from last at Kembla Grange on debut before doing right by punters that took the $1.75 at Wagga, putting her rivals away in the style of a handy filly. The draw doesn't help here but she has shown tactical versatility. 4. Baledon savaged the line to beat Zaru last start when he finally saw daylight. He can absolutely win again. If 7. Xtra Approval runs out 1400m he'll give a sight while 12. Keen Contributer is in the mix too.

How To Play It: Zaru EACH WAY

8. Kipsbay powered to the line to win impressively at Gosford first up and although it was a Class 1, there was depth to the field and there was further merit to his win on the clock. His last 400m was particularly strong. City-winning mare and race favourite Laurelin was no match for Kipsbay late. That was the four-year-old's first start for Nathan Doyle having formerly been trained by Chris Waller, and in his six runs prior to the stable change he had always shown glimpses of ability including a Warwick Farm second to Arbitration before impressively winning a provincial maiden. The son of Capitalist shouldn't be too far away in the run from the perfect draw and Koby Jennings got a feel of Kipsbay last start. Looks well placed in Midway company.

Dangers: 2. Black Duke can be hard to catch, as his record suggests, but he is a capable sprinter on his day and did win first up last preparation. His form through last preparation reads well for this. Has trialled up nicely ahead of his return, having his first run for Adam Duggan. 3. Daralina Belle continues to race well and did herself no favours last start at Doomben, half missing the start. 17. Either Oar hasn't won for nearly two years but only has to hold her recent form to be a player in this. She didn't get a lot of room behind Sneaky Paige last start and the winner has since won again. The barrier doesn't help 1. Mayrose but she's a talented mare. Respect the on pacers 6. Bartoselli, 9. Eyewitness and 13. Rita May.

How To Play It: Kipsbay WIN

9. Oz Legend has been giving the impression that he has been desperate for 2400m. Like the way the Chris Waller-trained stayer worked through the line behind Born A King last start. He was beaten seven lengths, despite finishing third, but want to trust that form line heading into this. Only the winner had a faster last 600m and last 200m split. Oz Legend was forced right back in the field from a wide draw too and was dictated to in terms of when he could make his run. That saw him caught a touch flatfooted when the sprint went on, which was exaggerated by the lack of tempo in the race in the early and middle stages. Now fifth up the timing is spot on for this trip. The other strong pointer to his chances is that Hugh Bowman sticks with the five-year-old import.

Dangers: 10. Monfelicity finds James McDonald and there is also a nice sense of timing about her preparation heading into Saturday. She emerged from the pack like the winner last start at Randwick but couldn't reel in 3. Impulsar. She gets her chance to turn the tables. That's no knock on the winner, albeit he now carries 61kg in this grade. He has now won four from six. 6. First Light comes through the same Born A King race and although he didn't quite attack the line like First Light he does possess more tactical speed than his stablemate. That should see him box seat in this. He is an import that should also come into his own out to 2400m. Then there's the Moonee Valley form line that throws up 1. Saracen Knight and 2. Herman Hesse.

How To Play It: Oz Legend EACH WAY

It's easy to forget that 5. Hameron has only had five starts. The lightly-raced five-year-old has won three of them and run second twice. The progressive stayer always travelled like the winner on the Kensington track first up over 1550m. It was a very comfortable win and the victory of a horse that won't bee seen at the midweeks again. Cognac ran second and he franked the form line by winning himself thereafter. Hameron has been freshened since that win and he looked particularly sharp when winning a recent tickover barrier trial over 900m at Rosehill. There doesn't look to be a lot of speed in this race so Hugh Bowman should get the chance to tag Fun Fact in the run. The market has found him but rightly so. Hard to beat.

Dangers: Wary of 1. Fun Fact bowling along out in front. He doesn't possess a change of gears but instead just keeps finding the line. Dylan Gibbons got a feel of the front running grey first up when fifth behind Niffler but he was coming again through the line. He is well placed again in another BM78. 12. Pink Ivory looks to be the pick of the closers. She scorched home behind Cognac first up and sets up well out to 1800m now, dropping 4kg. 7. Kalino stretches to 1800m for the first time but he continues to race well in this company while not a lot has gone right for 2. Opacity this campaign. Look for 11. Highland Rocker late but he might need one more run. 13. Deel With Me has knockout claims.

How To Play It: Hameron WIN

8. Tristate was beaten near five lengths by Shades Of Rose first up but there was merit to the run. The four-year-old has spent 42 weeks on the sidelines prior and raced keenly in the middle stages. That saw him knock up the last 100m, and fair enough too. Love the way he travelled into the straight for Tommy Berry though, and Tommy sticks second up. The son of Headwater can only come on from that and we're gambling that the run knocks the freshness out of him. He sets up nicely coming back from 1200m to 1100m and it was only 12 months ago that he was mixing it with Home Affairs and Paulele in the Listed Heritage Stakes over this same track and trip. Tristate handles all tracks and will put settle in the first couple, historically a huge advantage over the Rosehill 1100m.

Dangers: There's a case to be made that 4. Heresy should have won the G2 Light Fingers first up last preparation when a luckless fifth behind Fangirl, Espiona and Jamaea. That reads well for this. Would be more confident about her chances over 1200m but that's negated to some extent if she can park up closer from the soft draw. 6. Clemenceau has built an imposing record so far, winning four of his six starts as he works his way through the grades in typical Hawkes fashion. He has started odds on in three of his past four starts. The only knock is the price in a very competitive race. His maligned stablemate 2. Remarque returns as a gelding. It was hard to not be impressed by his trial wins leading into this but he always has trialled like a rocket. 5. Bacchanalia draws awkwardly. The wetter the better for him. 10. Starman next best.

How To Play It: Tristate WIN

11. Zou Tiger has a high cruising speed and the ability to sprint off it. We saw that at the midweeks first up in maiden company where he made a mess of his rivals as a short priced favourite. The Zoustar colt got complete control in front on the Kensington track but he quickened brilliantly to put a gap on the field. Zou Tiger now transitions straight into Group Three company but he did match it with recent Silver Shadow winner Zougotcha on debut before going down narrowly to Resonator at Gosford. The wide gate looks tricky on paper but he has the speed to overcome it and Rise Of The Masses looks to be the only go forward horse drawn underneath him. He just profiles as having found the perfect race being a sharp on speed horse, facing off against many horses with targets over the mile and beyond.

Dangers: 5. Golden Mile chased home Kibou at Rosehill last start but his second left a huge impression. The Godolphin colt was forced to make his run towards the inside, which proved the inferior ground at that Rosehill meeting. Out to 1400m suits. 10. Osipenko also brings Kibou form. He is an untapped talent and curious to see how he measures up in this company. Put his rivals to the sword on debut at Rosehill. 12. Conqueror has suffered a stop-start campaign so far so hopefully that doesn't catch up to him but he has trialled well after being a late scratching in the Up And Coming. 4. Basquiat, 3. Brosnan and 9. Flag Of Honour all rate mentions.

How To Play It: Zou Tiger WIN

After the Rosebud and the San Domenico are we any the wiser as to the pecking order of the three-year-old colts? I'd reason no. 11. In Secret would become the first ever filly to win the Run To The Rose but can't imagine many have tried. She's here after being scratched from Randwick on Saturday after the track downgrade. The daughter of I Am Invincible should have finished a touch closer to Zougotcha in the Silver Shadow after being buried in behind a wall of horses. The form through that race has been franked with North Star Lass and Willinga Beast running one-two in the Furious Stakes while Opal Ridge back in eighth has won again herself. In Secret showed plenty as a two-year-old and willing to gamble that the fillies will continue to match up well with this crop of sprinters, as they did as two-year-olds.

Dangers: 1. Best Of Bordeaux's asset is his speed. He didn't get to showcase that in the San Domenico. Expecting the handlebars to go down early this time. Respect that he jumped $1.90 there. There has to be a question mark over that race but willing to forgive him for being beaten 3.5 lengths. 2. Sejardan maps to be out the back which makes him a risk but he looked to truck through the line in his most recent barrier trial, albeit clouded in fog! Could develop into a top line sprinting three-year-old. 3. Swiss Exile raced keenly throughout in the San Domenico and did well to finish as close as he did. 5. Nettuno was excellent it that race too.

How To Play It: In Secret WIN

3. Ellsberg is undefeated in four first up runs. The five-year-old has an exceptional record on his home track too (7:3-3-0). He resumed last preparation over 1300m and romped in on a heavy track, controlling the race from in front. He'll have to absorb more early pressure in this with Prime Candidate engaged but he has proven to be just as dynamic from outside of the leader or even parked in behind the speed. Two trials tune him up for his return and although Mr Mozart looked to have the better of him in his most recent Canterbury hit out, it's significant to note that Ellsberg didn't have his blinkers on. The other bonus with Ellsberg is that it doesn't matter what track condition Rosehill throws up on Saturday, he'll handle it. Gets the perfect set up for him to produce his best.

Dangers: Loved the progression 4. Mr Mozart made last campaign. Turns out he relishes the pacemaker role and wet tracks. That combination should see him win his fair of races over the upcoming carnival if the long range forecasts are accurate. Mindful that he has won third up at his past two campaigns. 1. Kementari beat Count De Rupee and Big Parade first up last preparation, and with 59kg. Not sure why he has been neglected by the first market. Maps well, Hugh Bowman rides, handles all tracks. 10. Jamaea clocked the fastest last 600m split of the meeting in defeat first up over 1100. The 1300m looks ideal now. 9. Atishu is a knockout hope with a clean getaway. Hopefully that's behind her now.

How To Play It: Ellsberg WIN

10. Shades Of Rose is fit, flying and still on an upward trend. That's a scary thought for her rivals. The four-year-old mare has ripped through the grades over the winter and although she tackles Group company for the first time in her career, the timing is spot on to find out where she fits in. She hasn't just been winning recently, she has been annihilating benchmark fields and the subsequent form through those races has stood up. The daughter of Rubick won by a widening 4.5 lengths over this same track and trip last start, with Maotai running second. He's no slouch. Shades Of Rose has drawn widest but Rachel King will slide across to take up a prominent position knowing that she's on a mare that can ride the speed and kick off it.

Dangers: 6. Espiona is sure to improve into her preparation so Shades Of Rose catches her at the right time but absolutely Espiona deserves respect. She ended last campaign with a brilliant win at Group Three level. Was given an easy time in her one Randwick trial. 1. Startantes is a last start Group One winner having taken out the Tatt's Tiara and she matched it several times with Espiona as a three-year-old. Finding it hard to justify the price discrepancy even with the weight difference. The wide draw will likely see 2. Bella Nipotina settle down last but she won well over 1000m at Moonee Valley first up, flagging that she has returned as well as ever. 4. Palaisipan's form ties in through Startantes while 9. It's Me clocked her trademark sizzling closing splits to win at eagle Farm first up.

How To Play It: Shades Of Rose WIN

All indications are that 17. Arnold is better than benchmark company. The four-year-old backed up his emphatic maiden win at Kembla Grange with an equally dominant midweek win. He's jumped an odds on favourite in both victories. Steps into Saturday company for the first time and he strikes a deep race but the only way is up for this son of Hinchinbrook. Creeping out slightly in trip to the 1500m looks to suit and he retains the services of James McDonald. The barrier looks awkward on paper but there are several speed horses engaged so the tempo should be genuine while there is the chance that Arnold can slot into a three wide running line. That'd be a perfect scenario. The best part about his two wins has been his strength through the line so if he is given time to click through his gears, he'll take holding out.

Dangers: His equally promising stablemate 16. Waterford was just as impressive first up, despite the narrow margin. He had to make a wide, looping run over this track and trip, holding off a game 18. Mahagoni. Can only come on from that and he too looks destined to race his way through the grades. 15. Gracilistyla was brave in that same race give he travelled three deep the trip. Was heavily backed there too. 3. O'Mudgee came from a long way back to run second to Arnold last start. It's hard to see him turning the tables, even with the 3kg weight swing, but he is trending towards another win. 14. Pretty Amazing maps to see most of these turning for home but her win over Hope In Your Heart in the Kembla Grange Classic reads well now. 2. Mana Nui has claims too.

How To Play It: Arnold WIN