Nine talent rich races have been slated for Silver Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, highlighted by four black type features.
Seven talented two-year-olds will line up for the Group 2 Silver Slipper (1100m) while the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) is highlighted by the inclusion of several previous winners at the highest level of racing.
Press Statement returns to action in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and a number of horses set for this year’s Group 1 Sydney Cup during The Championships will return to black type company in the Listed Parramatta Cup (1900m).
Race 2 No. 2 Maurus – Each Way
Maurus is a proven first-up performer and has reportedly taken plenty of benefit from his time away from racing. Finishing outside the first three only a handful of times through 12 career starts, the Medicean gelding finished second in each of the Happy Birthday Steve Meyn BM75 (1800m) and TAB.com.au BM70 (2200m) upon resuming late last autumn; returning to winning form in each of the Schweppes BM84 (1900m) and Cellarbrations BM75 (1900m) before placing a close second in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) in September. Maurus will leave from barrier 5 in the Ranvet BM92 (1500m) with Jason Collett in the saddle and represents terrific value at $8 for success or $2.45 for a first three finish.
Race 5 No. 2 Catkins
Popular mare Catkins resumes in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m), is a proven first-up performer and will be very hard to beat with Premiership winning hoop Hugh Bowman in the saddle. Posting an exceptional sixteen wins and thirteen minors through 37 career starts so far, the Dubawi mare loves autumn racing and won each of the Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m) and Millie Fox Stakes upon returning last year; progressing to second in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and winning the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) before again placing second in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m). Catkins should not have any issues carrying 57kgs and will leave from the ideal barrier 4.
Race 7 No. 2 Press Statement
Classy three-year-old Press Statement will leave from the central barrier 8 in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) has been confirmed to be partnered by regular hoop Hugh Bowman and will be particularly hard for the field of thirteen to overcome at even weights. Capping a standout debut preparation with success in the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) in June, Press Statement resumed in spring for second in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m); progressing to fifth in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) before taking out each of the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) and Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) most recently. Bowman remained in Sydney to partner Press Statement rather than travel to Melbourne to ride Terravista in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes, which suggests the colt is absolutely flying.
Race 8 No. 2 Beyond Thankful – Each Way
Consistent stayer Beyond Thankful is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run for fifth in the Gardenia Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on February 6th, will relish a step-up to 1900m and is over the odds at a current quote of $19 to win the Listed Parramatta Cup on Saturday. Beating a talented field to the line in the Merrylands RSL Club BM95 (1800m) at Rosehill on August 15th, the Whipper gelding placed fourth in the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m) before taking out each of the Listed Wyong Cup (2080m) and Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m). While failing to make anything of an impact in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at the end of his spring campaign, Beyond Thankful should find a great position in transit from barrier 3.