We’re back to Rosehill for Southern Cross Stakes Day, where races like the Canonbury Stakes and Widden Stakes will provide key insight into horses targeting the Golden Slipper.
All ten events have drawn strong fields and as a result, Southern Cross Stakes Day looms as a quality betting program.
Check out all my thoughts and selections below!
Race 1 - 12:30pm AEDT
Highway Plate (1500m)
Open race to begin the program and the third up Adolphus looks a winning chance at odds ($8 at publish).
Adolphus returned to action to win in Class 2 company at Canberra last month, while he was last seen finishing two-lengths fifth at this grade and over the mile at Randwick.
Fitter third-up, it looks a nice race for him.
1 Unit E/W Adolphus
Race 2 - 1:05pm AEDT
Midway Handicap (1350m)
Pocketing has returned to the races in smart form and is the one for me in this week’s Midway.
Pocketing is yet to finish worse than second in five career starts, winning in BM64 company at Kembla two back before only being denied by an impressive Oh Diamond Lil last time out.
I like that he has been back to the trials since that last appearance and something like this looks well within his abilities.
2 Units Pocketing
Race 3 - 1:40pm AEDT
Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m)
Burma Star has stamped himself as one to follow and he resumes in a winnable edition of the Canonbury Stakes.
The Exceed And Excel colt only just missed behind the talented Icarian Dream on debut back in October, while a recent trial performance and win at Hawkesbury adds further confidence.
3 Units Burma Star
Race 4 - 2:15pm AEDT
Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m)
The Playwright is fit ahead of her run in the Widden Stakes.
Having stamped herself as one to follow by winning on debut here at Rosehill in late November, The Playwright has since finished third in the McLachlan Stakes and fourth in the Magic Millions Classic.
On exposed form, this looks a weaker race, and her experience can give her an edge this week.
2 Units The Playwright
Race 5 - 2:50pm AEDT
Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m)
Lilac resumes in a very winnable race on Southern Cross Stakes Day.
Lilac hasn’t been seen at the races since September, but her form was almost faultless last time in, and included two wins and a close second placing from three appearances.
Given that she was last seen saluting in Listed company, and she has trialled well ahead of her return, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish.
4 Units Lilac
Race 6 - 3:25pm AEDT
Ranvet Handicap (2000m)
Kapakiri is the one for me in Race 6 at Rosehill this week.
The Kermadec gelding turned in some fine performances last time in, winning over 2400m here most notably, while he was only just denied by Zondee when resuming a fortnight ago.
With natural improvement, getting out to the 2000m and under James McDonald, he’s going to take plenty of beating this week.
4 Units Kapakiri
Race 7 - 4pm AEDT
Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1350m)
Infatuation has turned in some nice efforts recently and looks capable of winning this weekend.
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare has been up and racing for a short while, but she worked home well to finish second up on the Sunshine Coast two back before finishing just a length and a half behind the winner in the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares last time out.
In peak order, dropping in class and from an inside draw, she gets plenty of ticks.
3 Units Infatuation
Race 8 - 4:35pm AEDT
Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m)
Accredited’s form has been almost faultless this time, and he is chasing a fourth win in succession when he takes his place in the Southern Cross Stakes.
It is another rise in class, but there is no doubting his fitness this week, while he is both drawn and weighted for success.
3 Units Accredited
Race 9 - 5:15pm AEDT
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale 9-11 Feb Handicap (1200m)
Another winning chance for the Bjorn Baker yard at Rosehill on Saturday is Spring Lee in the penultimate.
Spring Lee ended her last prep an eye-catching winner in BM78 company at Randwick, and she returned to action with a nice performance to fill the minors here earlier this month.
Her second up record is excellent, 1200m suits and she gets into this race well under the conditions.
2 Units Spring Lee
Race 10 - 5:55pm AEDT
Benchmark 88 Handicap (1500m)
Yorkshire has opened a clear and justifiable favourite in the last.
The Snitzel gelding has now won four of just six career starts to date, placing on the other two occasions.
Having made light work of them last time out, the rise in trip this week should only see further improvement.
5 Units Yorkshire