Super sprinter Redzel has been installed as the early favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Group 1 The Galaxy over 1100m at Rosehill on Saturday but the Peter and Paul Snowden trained speedster is facing a tough task with the top weight of 59.5kg on his back.
The Joe Pride trained Ball Of Muscle meets Redzel 3.5kg better for beating him last start in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick and gets another chance to claim victory.
The Chris Waller trained Nature Strip can only improve on his last start flop in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield and the Kris Lees trained three year old Graff also comes into contention.
We have analysed every horse in the field and our complete 2019 The Galaxy tips can be found below.
Redzel
Dual Everest winner Redzel is facing a tough task to return to the winner’s stall in The Galaxy (1100m) after being given the 59.5kg top weight. The little bulldog is coming off a first up nose second to Ball Of Muscle in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick and won’t shirk the task ahead and another win won’t surprise. The Rosehill track was rated a heavy 9 at acceptance time on Wednesday and the wet conditions will play right into his favour.
Ball Of Muscle
Ball Of Muscle was able to hold out Redzel and get the judge’s decision in a very tight photo finish in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes and meets the super sprinter 3.5kg better at the weights. The Joe Pride trained eight year old is racing with the zest of a younger horse and has strong claims again at double figure odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Pierata
Pierata never threatened first up when fifth to Trapeze Artist in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes over 1300m at Randwick a fortnight ago. The Greg Hickman trained four year old has a good second up record and has to be included among the top chances.
Nature Strip
Nature Strip has won a 735m Randwick barrier trial since failing in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield when a fading tenth and has to be taken on trust. The Chris Waller trained sprinter was an all the way winner at his previous start in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. Will be rolling along out in front for a long time and will be the one to catch.
Jungle Edge
Jungle Edge will be at home in the wet conditions but will find the opposition no easier than his last start sixth of six behind Ball Of Muscle in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes.
Graff
Graff has performed well at Group 1 level but has to find another length if he is to break through for a maiden Group 1 win in The Galaxy this weekend. The Kris Lees trained three year old has finished fourth in both his 2019 Autumn Carnival Group 1 outings at Flemington in the Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) and in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
Kaepernick
Kaepernick doesn’t find the winner’s stall very often and it would be a huge surprise if he was to down his rivals in The Galaxy.
Viridine
Viridine ran home from the back to claim third spot behind Ball Of Muscle and Redzel in a three way photo finish in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick. The James Cummings trained four year old drops 6.5kg on that effort and is weighted to figure in the finish again.
I Am Excited
I Am Excited is jumping up sharply in grade after a first up third in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) at Randwick and will find this tougher.
Encryption
Encryption produced a career best run two starts back when second in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfeld but was then safely held when seventh in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) down the Flemington straight. No easier here.
Easy Eddie
The Joe Pride trained Easy Eddie earned himself a spot in the Group 1 The Galaxy with his win in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill last Saturday. Harder here.
Tribal Wisdom
Tribal Wisdom is way out of his class at his first run in almost twelve months coming out of restricted class.
Baller
Baller is marked as one of the outsiders of the field coming off a last start fifth in Listed company at Randwick.