We take the final step on the traditional path towards the Golden Rose at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday!
The Run To The Rose always boasts a strong field and frequently produces the winner of the Group 1 feature race over 1400m in a fortnight, and with the likes of Fireball, Tron Bolt, Warwoven and St Gotthard engaged, this year’s edition shapes as a particularly strong contest.
Toss in races like the Sheraco Stakes and the Theo Marks, and we’re set for a strong Rosehill betting card on September 12th.
We were with WAYBURN (13) in a similar race at Randwick last week and I am keen to stick with him on the quick back up.
Having settled at the tail of the field in the 1200m contest last Saturday, Wayburn mustered a smart turn of foot to run on late but ultimately had too much work to do – finishing two lengths sixth.
Prior to that run, he was a strong and consistent performer in three other Highway races, winning once over 1200m here and finishing the runner up at the two other appearances.
With natural improvement, Mollie Fitzgerald’s claim and getting out to the 1400m, he looks well placed this time.
| 1. Wayburn (13) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 58.5kg 12216T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Most recently 6th of 16 in a Highway-C3 at Randwick on September 5 over 1200m, 2 len behind Lord Remlap carrying 58.5kg at $6. The start before that won by 2 len in a Highway-C3 at this track on August 1 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Nimble Star carrying 59kg at $3.90. Strips fitter on the quick backup, leading contender. | |||
BETTER LATE (4) has returned in excellent order, finishing second over 1200m at Gosford before producing a dominant 2.39-length win over the same trip at Beaumont last start.
He rises in class here, but draws nicely in barrier four and is expected to roll forward, while Tim Clark is an ideal booking given his strength riding up on the pace.
Despite facing another rise in class, he gets plenty of ticks.
| 11. Better Late (4) J: Tim Clark 56kg 36×21T: Nathan Doyle | |||
| Third-up today. First-up held ground to the line 2nd of 7 in a Cg&E Bm64 at Gosford on August 6 over 1200m, 0.7 len behind Forest King carrying 58.5kg at $2.60. Second-up won by 2.5 len in a Prov Bm68 at Beaumont (Newcastle) on August 25 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Grinzinger Pod with 57kg at $3.90. Back in good shape and makes plenty of appeal today. | |||
FOIRE DE TRONE (5) has been in excellent form this preparation, winning over 2100m at Sandown back in June before finishing fourth in a strong BM78 over 2000m at Caulfield.
She bounced back impressively two back before again outstaying her rivals to win over 2400m at Randwick last time out, and now gets barrier five with James McDonald taking the ride.
With that latest victory under her belt, Foire De Trone looks well placed to continue her strong run of form.
| 2. Foire De Trone (5) Scratched: | |||
STAR VEGA (6) resumed with a solid effort over 1600m in Listed company at Hawkesbury and should take good improvement from that first-up run.
He steps up to 1800m second-up, with 60kg to contend with, but he is drawn well and his previous form in similar races suggests he’s well placed again.
Stripping fitter, something like this looks well within his abilities.
| 2. Star Vega (6) J: Tyler Schiller 60kg 927×5T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after eight months 5th of 11 in the LR Hawkesbury Rowley Mile on August 20 over 1600m, slow going 3 len behind Narbold carrying 54kg at $41. Previously second-up 2nd of 8 in the Moe Cup on November 16 over 2050m, 2.75 len behind Howlin’ Rain carrying 59kg at $3.90. This looks too tough. | |||
CHISPA (2) enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence last preparation, highlighted by a strong win over 1800m at Kensington before finishing second in the Group 2 The Roses over 2000m.
She then tackled Group 1 company in the Queensland Oaks and wasn’t disgraced, and with James McDonald back aboard, this looks a suitable race to kick off another campaign.
She can use this as a stepping stone towards something stronger and looks well placed to make a winning return.
| 7. Chispa (2) J: James McDonald 57.5kg 4126xT: Chris Waller | |||
| She is resuming after a three-and-a-half months break. Finished off last campaign sixth of 18 at Eagle Farm in the G1 Qld Oaks June 6 over 2200m, 4 len behind Fireball Miss with 56.5kg at $7.50. On debut second of 7 at Beaumont (Newcastle) Mdn February 2 over 1200m, soft track; 0.5 len behind Good’n’you with 56.5kg at $5. Look for her late, don’t dismiss. | |||
This shapes as a strong and open edition of the Ming Dynasty Quality with several winning chances engaged.
CORMIER (5) and STORMY MARCO (2) bring strong Group 1 form into this contest, having finished second and third respectively in the JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm before spelling.
Cormier draws barrier five and carries 60kg, while Stormy Marco gets the advantage of barrier two with James McDonald aboard, setting up an intriguing rematch between the pair.
I’M YA HUCKLEBERRY (8) was only just denied in Group 3 company on debut last year and returned to action for a dominant win in maiden company at Wyong.
While this is a clear rise in class, he has a key fitness edge over several other leading contenders and takes plenty of weight as well.
| 6. I’m Ya Huckleberry (7) J: Siena Grima 53.5kg 2×1T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Third race start. First start raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 8 in the G3 Breeders’ Plate at Randwick on October 4 over 1000m, neck behind Incognito carrying 56kg at $2.70. Returned from break favourite; won by 2.5 len in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Wyong on August 30 over 1200m defeating Never Know carrying 57kg at $1.24. Goes to a new pain barrier today, slim place chance. | |||
This Sheraco Stakes is headed by the high-class LADY SHENANDOAH (11) and LAZZURA (5), with both bringing strong black-type form into their campaigns.
Lady Shenandoah resumed with a fourth in the Group 1 Winx Stakes over 1400m and has an excellent Rosehill record, while Lazzura gets the better draw in barrier five with James McDonald and boasts a strong fresh record.
Solely on her fresh performance in the Winx Stakes and natural improvement, I’ve got Lady Shenandoah on top.
| 1. Lady Shenandoah (10) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 59kg 342×4T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 4th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $19. Previously second-up 3rd of 10 in the G1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick on March 7 over 1300m, 1.2 len behind Joliestar with 57kg at $4.20. No Autumn Glow today, and can finish over | |||
The Run To The Rose brings together a strong field of emerging three-year-olds, with FIREBALL (9) and TRON BOLT (10) both returning after impressive autumn campaigns.
Tron Bolt won three consecutive races, including the Group 1 JJ Atkins before going for a break, while Fireball also boasts a Group 1 victory having saluted in the Champagne Stakes in April.
BERZELIUS (8), MUSIC TIME (12) and WARWOVEN (7) all step out second up and open to improvement, while ST GOTTAR (4) puts an unbeaten record on the line first up under James McDonald.
Tron Bolt has reportedly furnished into a stronger horse and with some lofty targets set this time, he’s the one for me this week on an each way basis at the huge price.
| 2. Tron Bolt (10) J: Tyler Schiller 58.5kg 3111xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming after a three months break. Finished off last preparation winning won by 0.9 len Eagle Farm G1 J J Atkins June 13 over 1600m in the wet defeating Cormier with 57kg at $1.80. On debut third of 10 at Kembla Grange 2yo Mdn-Sw April 29 over 1300m, 2 len behind Katoto carrying 57kg at $21. Good colt who will find some of these too sharp first up. | |||
SKYHOOK (15) resumes off a strong preparation that included wins in the Hawkesbury Guineas and the Gunsynd Classic, and he looks well placed with 56kg despite drawing the outside barrier.
MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO (7) has been in outstanding form, winning four of her last five starts, and brings a rating of 107 into this while carrying just 56kg.
ESTADIO MESTALLA (12) has plenty of quality and boasts an excellent Rosehill record, although he has to overcome barrier 12 with 58.5kg.
Given how he ended his last preparation, Skyhook certainly looks up to winning something like this fresh.
| 6. Skyhook (13) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 56kg 6121xT: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | |||
| Entire returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation post a big 3.5 len win. Eagle Farm G3 Gunsynd June 13 over 1600m on heavy track defeating Within The Law carrying 57kg at $3.10. When resuming last campaign fourth of 14 at this track in the LR Darbymunro March 21 over 1200m, soft track; 1.1 len behind Beskar carrying 58.5kg at $3.10. Looks set for a strong return to racing despite drawing out. | |||
EAGLE EXPRESS (1) returned with an impressive win and gets a major advantage from the rails draw, with Zac Lloyd retaining the ride, and the horse should only improve for that fresh effort.
Having finished off the pace at his first run back, SOVEREIGN HILL (7) enjoyed strong improvement into an eye-catching victory over 1200m at Randwick last time out.
THEBLADE (5) ended his last prep in winning form and gets Tyler Schiller from Barrier 5, but Eagle Express looks the one to beat after his first-up win.
| 6. Eagle Express (1) J: Zac Lloyd 57kg 678×1T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after four months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a neck in a Bm94 at this track on August 15 over 1200m in soft going defeating Grand Impact carrying 52kg at $4. Previously second-up 6th of 9 in a 3&4yo Bm78 at this track on February 21 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Signor Tortoni carrying 58kg at $5. Jumps in weight and gets the right run, respect. | |||
