The lead up to some of Sydney’s biggest spring races continues this Saturday at Rosehill, one day before the city hosts UFC 293!
The Group 2 Run To The Rose has attracted a lucrative field of three-year-olds, all with an eye toward the $1 million Golden Rose Stakes in three weeks’ time.
The Sheraco and Theo Marks Stakes also shape as fascinating markets, with several key runners looking ahead to races like the Epsom Handicap and The Invitation.
For our best bets across the 10-race program, check out our Run To The Rose Day Preview below!
Race 1 - 11:50am AEST
Midway Handicap (1200 METRES)
Glacier Queen found the line nicely down the outside part of the track in her second run back at Kensington.
The Vancouver mare got back early under Dylan Gibbons in the hope of saving something for late, running on nicely for third with a few extra kg’s in the saddle.
She gets in well with the claim on this occasion and looks set to peak with some fitness on her side. With a little luck from the wide gate, she should be adding to her strong record over this distance range.
1 Unit Glacier Queen
Race 2 - 12:25pm AEST
Highway Handicap (1400 METRES)
Take The Kitty was the beaten favourite over this track and journey a couple of weeks ago, battling for room close to the rail before exploding late to find the line nicely for second.
She seemed to find something extra over the final 50m, an encouraging performance off a four-week break.
This quicker turnaround should see her improve and another dry track will be right up her alley with Nash Rawiller again taking the ride.
2 Units Take The Kitty
Race 3 - 1:00pm AEST
Goffs Orby Sale Handicap (2400 METRES)
Casual Connection will run fitter for his last two attempts over shorter.
John Sargent’s gelding settled toward the tail over 1800m here a couple of weeks ago, chugging home late to run sixth with plenty left to give through the line.
He was beaten only three lengths first-up by Strait Acer, who has since gone on to win last Saturday by a big margin. The son of Complacent won and placed over this trip during the autumn, so the rise to 2400m looks ideal.
2 Units E/W Casual Connection
Race 4 - 1:35pm AEST
Ranvet Handicap (1500 METRES)
Unspoken quickened to win a recent trial at Hawkesbury quite well, letting down on the widest part of the track.
The Snowden-trained five-year-old was competitive at this grade last time in work, running second to Akasawa at Scone, who then went on to win the Gunnedah Cup by a clear margin.
With a couple of wins to his name first-up and the draw in his favour, this look an ideal leadoff point with bigger races perhaps in mind.
2 Units Unspoken
Race 5 - 2:10pm AEST
NSW Thoroughbred Breeders Handicap (1800 METRES)
Marquess is a query for mine out to 1800m for the first time after doing just enough to win over shorter a couple of weeks ago. That said, he should be able to go straight to the front from the inside gate and run a big race on the speed.
Fojita San could be the value play. He was held up for a run in that same race, but really found the line nicely once clear. Out to 1800m looks no issue off that effort, and he has placed third-up in the past.
1 Unit Marquess, 1 Unit E/W Fojita San
Race 6 - 2:45pm AEST
Group 2 Irresistible Pools Sheraco Stakes (1200 METRES)
Queen of the Ball has gone up a nice price for a mare that tends to run an honest race more often than not.
That was again the case first-up in the Toy Show Quality, leading into the turn and trying hard before she was gunned down late by Parisal in a head-bob finish.
She gets in nice and light here in the Sheraco Stakes field with Rachel King retaining the ride, and barrier 1 should allow the pair to zip straight to the front and run their race on the speed. Proven second-up, she looks up to winning this.
2 Units E/W Queen of the Ball
Race 7 - 3:20pm AEST
Group 3 Acy Securities Ming Dynasty Quality (1400 METRES)
A case to be made for a few here, but I do think Encap will prove tough to beat if he produces anything like he did in the Up and Coming Stakes a couple of weeks ago.
The Capitalist three-year-old was a little wayward when searching for a run down the straight, but once he found the clear, boy did he find the line nicely.
He was just as impressive against lesser company the start prior, and he does have a fitness edge over a few of these. Barrier 1 is to his advantage and a more sensible ride should go a long way toward winning the Ming Dynasty Quality.
2 Units Encap
Race 8 - 3:55pm AEST
Group 2 James Squire Run to the Rose (1200 METRES)
General Salute could be the one to watch here at double figure Run To The Rose odds.
He was one of the runs of the race for mine first-up in the San Domenico, getting back early and doing some strong work late down the outside.
The colt by Russian Revolution was beaten only a length in the end by Libertad, but I thought he could have gone closer if he wasn’t forced wide over the final stages. Fitter and out to the trip he won his maiden over at this stage of his prep during the autumn, I think he could surprise.
2 Units E/W General Salute
Race 9 - 4:35pm AEST
Group 2 Toyota Forklifts Theo Marks Stakes (1300 METRES)
Nugget doesn’t win out of turn, but he does warrant big respect with a bunch of handy trials under his belt and a strong first-up record.
The Maher and Eustace-trained six-year-old was last seen running third to Mr Brightside in the Doncaster, form that obviously stacks up well on the back of the Memsie last week.
Where he winds up from barrier 12 is the query, but I still think the Theo Marks Stakes is a nice leadoff point before he gets out over further.
1 Unit Nugget
Race 10 - 5:15pm AEST
Precise Air Handicap (1100 METRES)
Red Card has been well-backed in her return to Sydney.
The Godolphin mare was last seen winning a Stakes race at Eagle Farm back in June, an easy watch for punters with the Ribchester mare kicking clear at the top of the straight as she shifted through the gears.
Her recent trial on this track suggested she’s returned in great order, and from barrier 8, I think she’ll roll straight to the front and look to dictate on her terms.
2 Units Red Card