Winter Challenge Day at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday is headlined by the runner of the 1500m Listed feature race, and the time-honoured July Sprint.
The rail will be set out eight metres around the entire course and the track is likely to be rated in the soft-to-heavy range.
Lady Banff didn’t appreciate a front running ride at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago, but she can go back from the wide gate on Saturday and is up to winning.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly has so far recorded three wins and a placing from her six career starts, and was an impressive winner at Rosehill from off the pace when resuming.
At around the $8 mark, I’m eager to have a decent each-way place.
2.5 Units E/W Lady Banff
Super Oasis hasn’t been seen at the races since March, but her fresh record is outstanding, and she can make a winning return in Race 2 on Winter Challenge Day.
The Exceed And Excel filly has recorded two wins and a second placing at this point of her preparation previously, and won in BM72 company when last resuming.
She’s trialled well in the lead-up to this race and can win.
2 Units Super Oasis
Vibrant Knight has returned to the races in excellent form and looks the one to beat in Saturday’s Highway race.
The Snitzel gelding finished at the tail of the field on debut at Randwick in December, but he is yet to taste anything but success in two starts back from a spell, including an easy win in BM58 company at Goulburn last time.
This is obviously harder, but Hugh Bowman jumps into the saddle and will have options from the rails draw.
2 Units Vibrant Knight
It has been four weeks since Roheryn returned to the races with a dominant performance and win in a BM94 race at Rosehill and he’ll take a power of beating in the July Sprint.
The Lonhro gelding has been an impressive performer for Godolphin throughout his racing career and returned some typically big performances earlier this year.
His resuming effort this time suggested that he has gone to another level and at $3, I think he looks a great bet.
5 Units Roheryn
This looms as one of the more open contests on Saturday’s Winter Challenge card and there is a case to be made for several.
True Marvel is one of those horses, and he looks to be a nice bit of value at around the $10 mark.
True Marvel recorded consecutive wins, albeit in a weaker grade at Hawkesbury and Gosford, and was last seen running on well to finish second behind Tigre Royale at Randwick.
He is at peak fitness for this contest and relishes racing on a rain-affected track.
1 Unit E/W True Marvel
Another exciting contest looms in Race 6, but I am happy to stick with Travest.
He was an impressive winner on debut before immediately going to the paddock, and Travest again stamped himself as a horse to follow when he beat home the likes of Darleb first-up at Warwick Farm.
He has since finished third behind Edison and Papal Warrior at Randwick, but really lost no admirers and will only improve for the effort.
3 Units Travest
Noble Boy was an impressive winner of the Winter Stakes a fortnight ago and can record another win in Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge.
The Bon Hoffa gelding has been an above-average performer throughout his racing career, but took a couple to tune-up when transferring to the care of Clare Cunningham this time.
His third placing in a BM94 race two back was eye-catching, but his last start effort was one of the best of his career to date and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
Mugatoo resuming is an interesing runner in the Winter Challenge, but I am happy to take the fitness edge of Noble Boy.
3 Units Noble Boy
True Detective failed to fire with four weeks between runs last time, but I think he’ll bounce back into the winner’s stall on Saturday.
The Shamus Award gelding finished fourth behind Dawn Passage in the Inglis Guineas in May and recorded consecutive city wins in his two starts prior to his most-recent effort.
He’s drawn well and the booking of Hugh Bowman to ride is positive.
3 Units True Detective
Varda has been excellent back from a spell and looks tough to beat in the last on Winter Challenge Day.
The Lonhro filly has missed a place just twice in eight career starts and is yet to taste anything but success this time, having recorded consecutive wins at Canterbury and Rosehill.
Fitter third-up, she needs only even luck to be in the finish again.
5 Units Varda