Race-by-race preview and tips for Rosehill on Wednesday
By Nick Berney
Selections based on a soft/good track.
Race 1 - 2:00PM TAB PLATE (1400 METRES)
1.Behaviour is coming through time/sectional merit races and is ready to peak fourth-up over 1400m. He wasn’t suited to the sit/sprint race shape last start at Kensington, but he built momentum and ran one of the meeting’s fastest final 200m splits. He races at his home track for the first time and expect a bold showing. Each-way.
Racing returns to Rosehill on Wednesday.Credit: Getty Images
Dangers: 1. California Bay was solid on debut and will improve from the experience. He’ll be fitter and maps to have all favours. 5. Monte Veebee drops sharply in grade and 13. Great White Shark will hit the line hard with Joao Moreira to ride.
How to play it: Behaviour each way.
Race 2 - 2:35PM ALINTA ENERGY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Like 16. Straand Beauty, who resumes from a spell, and he looked sharp in a recent trial at Canterbury. The colt always indicated he would return improved in his second preparation, and his run before spelling last campaign was full of merit in a high-rating race behind subsequent Group 3 placegetter Wanaruah. Further, he was caught three-wide out on a limb working at a fast pace, became unbalanced on the turn and tried hard to the line. The three-year-old maps to have an economical run in transit; the drying surface is ideal and he will appreciate the bigger track.
Dangers: 11. Aye Aye Captain returns from a spell and has trialled well behind subsequent winner Dominetta. Debutant 8. Just Think Twice moved with style in a recent heat at this track and the blinkers go on 6. Eton.
How to play it: Straand Beauty each way.
Race 3 - 3:10PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (2400 METRES)
Import 4. Newfoundland is in his second Australian preparation, and his return run at Canterbury a fortnight ago was solid. The gelding got into an awkward spot before the turn, was blocked when the sprint went on, but to his credit, he picked up well and hit the line hard to finish third. The Waterhouse and Bott galloper will appreciate the rise in trip, and the bigger track will be ideal.
Dangers: 5. Fun Sunday has been racing consistently and is coming through a high-pressure event. She can settle closer and is rock-hard fit. 2. Rattle And Hum and 1. King Of Clubs map to control the speed and will take running down with the rail out. 8. Whisker To Whisker is a last-start winner with a positive setup.
How to play it: Newfoundland to win.
Race 4 - 3:45PM PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
8. Misterkipchoge arguably should’ve won a fortnight ago at Canterbury after having no luck. The gelding was run to suit but was blocked for the majority of the straight, and even with that interference, he still sprinted one of the meeting’s fastest 400m-200m splits. He is ready to peak third-up over more ground, Nash Rawiller sticks, and he’ll be smothered away doing no work from the inside gate.
Dangers: Everything points 4. Jon Bon improving third-up, and he was brave last start after leading at a genuine speed. 2. Captain Maverick was well-backed last start and ran solid time relative to the day. James McDonald sticks, and the 1800m suits again. 7. Seafall and 10. Cristal Clear are both last winners and should be respected.
How to play it: Misterkipchoge to win.
Race 5 - 4:20PM SHARP EIT SOLUTIONS HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Nothing went right for 1. Need Some Luck first-up at Canterbury and expecting him to bounce back here. He was heavily backed but got into an awkward spot early, wasn’t suited to the race shape and made an early move. The gelding raced wide throughout, exerting energy, but went down fighting and still clocked one of the meeting’s fastest final 200m splits. He can improve sharply, and he produced his career peak second-up last prep. He has multiple winning figures and maps to have all favours with the winkers going on for the first time.
Dangers: Forget 4. Ravenclaw went around first-up after having no luck, and he has a sharp turn of foot that can put him in the finish. 2. Dazzle Legend resumes and has had two quiet trials. Moreira rides, and he is a key late-market watch. 5. Fury returns as a gelding and 8. Etincelle drops 3kg and will be suited to the clockwise direction.
How to play it: Need Some Luck to win.
Race 6 - 4:55PM JAMES SQUIRE HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1.Wembanyama has trialled well enough and is coming out of time/sectional merit races from last preparation. He maps to be smothered away doing no work and can sprint fresh. Additionally, his strong SP profile must be respected.
Dangers: Stablemate 12. Getafix is rock-hard fit and expect 8. Piercing Arrow to roll forward and be hard to catch with a run under his belt. 10. Makena is a last-start winner and James McDonald sticks.
How to play it: Wembanyama to win.
Race 7 - 5:30PM EGROUP PROTECTIVE SERVICES HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
Chris Waller has a strong hand in this event, and lightly raced galloper 10.Mergeila is coming off the back of a stylish win last start. She had every chance but built through her gears well and the rise in trip on a bigger track suits. Dominant last start figure and deserves to be a short-priced favourite.
Dangers: Pippie Beach is coming through a high-pressure race, which has produced a subsequent winner, and Joao Moreira rides. 6. Hellbent On You will be fitter and can hit the line hard. Add 16. Dance With Hooves.
How to play it: Mergeila to win.
Best Bet: Race 5, No.1 - Need Some Luck
Next Best: Race 4, No.8 - Misterkipchoge
Best Value: Race 2, No.16 - Straand Beauty
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au