3 minute read

Plenty of interest surrounds the Roma Cup this year with the much anticipated return of WA star Luckygray, however we are tipping talented mare Fuchsia Bandana to spoil the party.

Trained by Darren McAuliffe the daughter of Trade Fair continued to make impressive ratings spikes last time in, culminating with close up fifths in both the Group 1 Railway Stakes and Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes.

On both occasions she returned a career peak performance and if able to return in similar vein, she appears very well placed.

A winner of seven of her 16 career starts, Fuchsia Bandana has also placed in three of four attempts fresh and has placed in five of seven attempts over this trip.

Her sole trial in the lead up was solid enough and she has drawn to receive all the favours on the inside.

One of the biggest push for her claims on Saturday is the likely speed map, with Dawn Approach and Modello the only other front-runners engaged.

Market leaders Luckygray and Shining Knight are both expected to settle back in the field and with the anticipated moderate tempo, they could be left with too much to do on straightening.

Fuchsia Bandana boasts some very strong collateral form and when you take a line through Magnifisio, it obviously reads very well her for her chances.

Luckygray remains the current favourite at 2-1, but he is now rising eight and has been off the scene since this very race last year (finished fourth).

While we obviously respect Luckygray's class, we are willing to take him on and have Fuchsia Bandana installed the 5-2 favourite.

In the final event progressive four-year-old Gigante presents terrific value at his current quote of 8-1.

His two performances to begin this preparation have been very good, his latest effort saw him return a new career peak, when only narrowly beaten.

Gigante is yet to miss the money racing third up and possesses great course and distance credentials.

With decent speed engaged, he is likely to settle just off the lead and should enjoy all the favours from the middle draw.

On his last start performance, we have Gigante installed the 3-1 equal favourite with the Neville Parnham trained Crown Lawyer.

Both gallopers present good overlays and we suggest backing both.

BET OF THE DAY: Race 7 #9 Fuchsia Bandana @ $4.00

EACH WAY PLAY: Race 8 #15 Gigante @ $9.00 & #4 Crown Lawyer $15.00