Feature racing continues at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday when the time-honoured Winter Stakes headlines ten races.
Rain has continued in patches in Western Sydney this week and at publish, we’re faced with a Soft (7) track, while the rail will be set out just one metre around the entire course.
You can find my Rosehill best bets, including my 2026 Winter Stakes tips below.
ZOUNAKA has returned to the races in sharp form this time and rates as a key winning chance again on Winter Stakes Day.
The Zousain mare mixed her form a little last time in, but after returning to action with an easy win on the Illawarra track at Kembla Grange in May, she was last seen finishing second behind an impressive Smashing Time over this route.
Third up this week and with some relief in the weights, I think she’ll be tough to toss again.
| 6. Zounaka (7) J: William Stanley 57.5kg 55×12T: John P Thompson | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up won by 1.0 len at Illawarra Grange Bm64 May 5 over 1150m defeating Peleus carrying 59.5kg at $5.50. Second run from a spell tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 8 at this track Midway Bm72 on June 13 over 1200m, slow going 2.25 len behind Smashing Time carrying 56.5kg at $6.50. Hard to beat with the claim. | |||
TOO HOT TO TORQUE chases a hat-trick in this week’s Highway Handicap.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding was only just denied in Class 1 company at Ballina when resuming and has since recorded consecutive victories at Port Macquarie at Murwillumbah.
While this is another obvious rise in class, the horse steps out in peak order and the manner of his recent performances have suggested that it is well within his means as well.
| 6. Too Hot To Torque (10) Scratched: | |||
OMOLONG can keep alive an unbeaten record at Rosehill on Saturday.
He has made just one appearance competitively so far, but after showing some ability at the trials, Omolong couldn’t have been more impressive when striking over this trip at the midweeks last month.
He’s open to improvement for that experience and on exposed form, he looks well placed to go on with it.
| 1. Omolong (8) J: Siena Grima 58kg 1T: Chris Waller | |||
| Was well-supported at debut, won favourite; came home strongly from last on the turn and won by 1.2 len at Warwick Farm 2yo C&G Osc June 24 over 1100m in soft going defeating Sanctum with 57kg at $1.70. Sharp debut winner and well-placed again with Grima’s claim. | |||
I’m happy to give BIG RED TEQUILA another chance third up on Winter Stakes Day.
We’ve been with Big Red Tequila in each of her first two runs back this time, and after only being denied by a fit and formed Ice Kool first up at Randwick, she was just over half a length behind the same horse last time out.
Getting slightly further out in trip to the 1100m this week suits, she’s open to further improvement and from the ideal barrier 5, she should get her chance to finally convert again.
| 1. Big Red Tequila (5) J: Adam Hyeronimus 60.5kg 11×24T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 2nd of 13 at Randwick Bm78 on June 6 over 1000m, slow going 2.25 len behind Ice Kool carrying 58kg at $6. Second run from a spell made ground from midfield; 4th of 13 at Randwick Bm78 on June 20 over 1000m, slow going 0.9 len behind Ice Kool carrying 58.5kg at $5.50. Classy mare who finds her race third-up. | |||
HELLO CAPTAIN is another horse I’m happy to stick with on Winter Stakes Day.
Having ended his two-start debut prep with a dominant win in maiden company, Hello Captain picked up where he left off with a couple of sharp victories in midweek metro company.
Having stepped up into Saturday metro grade last time out and ultimately finishing less than half a length behind the winner, I’m expecting him to be in peak order this week, and with in-form apprentice Siena Grima engaged, he’s my best bet on the program.
| 4. Hello Captain (6) J: Siena Grima 60.5kg 1×114T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Last start 4th of 10 at Randwick 3yo Bm72 on June 20 over 1300m, slow going long-neck behind Cheeky Smirk with 60.5kg at $1.75. The race before that favourite; came from midfield and won by 2 len at Canterbury 3yo Bm64 June 8 over 1250m on a soft track defeating Events carrying 62kg at $1.70. Had no luck last start, expected o go close. | |||
POLYGLOT is second up into a winnable race at Rosehill this weekend.
It has been a short while since the Lonhro gelding won a race, but after being held up for a run at a key moment when resuming at Randwick last month, he let down with a fine turn of foot to hit the line stylishly.
He’s yet to miss placing in four previous second up attempts, and with the benefit of that first up hit-out under his belt, and from the good draw this week, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
| 5. Polyglot (6) J: Tim Clark 58kg 824×7T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 7th of 13 at Randwick Bm78 on June 20 over 1000m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Ice Kool carrying 58kg at $21. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 at this track 3&4yo Bm78 on February 21 over 1100m, 0.8 len behind Signor Tortoni with 58kg at $7.50. Proven second-up and looks set for a big campaign. | |||
MO CHROI steps up into Australian Saturday metro company for the first time.
The Galiway gelding made two appearances over in Ireland prior to his purchase and transferal to Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, breaking his maiden at Fairyhouse most notably.
Having attracted support ahead of his Australian debut at Canterbury last month, he worked home well to win comfortably.
With natural improvement for that run and getting further out in trip this week, he looks well placed again under Timmy Clark, but he will require some luck in the run from a potentially sticky draw.
| 5. Mo Chroi (13) J: Tim Clark 57kg 3x1x1T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Racing second-up today. Last start won by 1.2 len at Canterbury Bm72 June 17 over 1550m on a soft track defeating General Soho carrying 58kg at $2.60. At only start last preparation won by 0.5 len at Fairyhouse 3yo Mdn Sw June 6 2025 over 2011m defeating Iron Fist carrying 61kg at $5.50. Can continue his winning ways. Nice import ready for this trip and further. | |||
SMASHING TIME takes dominant winning form into this contest.
The Brave Smash gelding was unlucky not only just be denied in BM64 company when resuming in April but hasn’t taken a backwards step since, winning Midway BM72 races at Gosford and here at Rosehill.
This is another rise in class, but he too steps out this week in peak order, he gets into the race well under handicap conditions and from a nice low draw, he should get every chance to continue his positive progression.
| 12. Smashing Time (2) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 55kg 0x211T: Robert & Luke Price | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently favourite; won by 2.25 len at this track Midway Bm72 June 13 over 1200m in soft going defeating Zounaka with 57kg at $2.25. Before that favourite; won by 0.8 len at Gosford Midway Bm72 May 9 over 1200m defeating Spice Baby with 58kg at $6.50. Will take catching again in this tougher contest. | |||
The Winter Stakes shapes as another ideal black type target for the in-form MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE.
Midnight Dynamite has been a strong and consistent performer throughout 20 starts since debuting, but he really has returned to action an improved horse this time in, winning three of four and only just missing on the other occasion.
Having bounced back from that near miss with an easy win in the Listed Civic Stakes last time out, he’s a model of fitness and this race doesn’t look any harder.
| 4. Midnight Dynamite (10) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 57kg x1121T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Dual acceptor. Form hard to fault. Most recently favourite; won by 1.75 len at Randwick LR Civic Stakes June 20 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Whinchat with 54kg at $2.60. Before that sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 14 at Randwick Bm94 on June 6 over 1300m, slow going 1.2 len behind Cool Jakey carrying 59kg at $3.20. In career best form and expected to go close. | |||
TARZING takes winning form into the last on Winter Stakes Day 2026.
Having only been denied by the likes of Surf’s Up and Damiean at his first run back a month ago, Tarzing enjoy plenty of improvement into a comfortable victory over this route last weekend, where he figured as out best bet on the program.
Clearly, he loves the conditions at Rosehill and on the quick back up, I’m confident he can do the job again.
| 9. Tarzing (4) J: Siena Grima 58kg 13×31T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 8 at this track 3&4yo Bm72 on June 13 over 1400m, slow going 1.75 len behind Surf’s Up with 54.5kg at $4.20. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.8 len at this track 3&4yo Bm72 June 27 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Big Papa carrying 56kg at $3.60. On the up and right in the mix again. | |||