Rosehill Inside Mail: Value for punters in Palmetto’s stamina test in Group 3 Parramatta Cup

Trainer John Sargent maintains this is a good opportunity to test Palmetto’s stamina reserves in the Group 3 $250,000 Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Trainer John Sargent maintains this is a good opportunity to test Palmetto’s stamina reserves in the Group 3 $250,000 Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Palmetto hasn’t won beyond 1600m and has failed three times when tested at 2000m.

But after three solid lead-up runs from Palmetto, Sargent believes the gelding has never been better equipped to be tested at a middle distance.

“I want to find out what his distance range is,’’ Sargent said.

“The Rosehill 1900m isn’t the hardest, like it is at Randwick, so this is a good chance to find out.

“He’s at peak fitness and in good form. He drops 4kg from his last start and I feel he could be a bit sharper than some of these.’’

Palmetto is at generous odds of $12 for the Parramatta Cup behind $2.50 favourite Our Anchorage in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting.

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Sargent also has his promising three-year-olds French Ruler and China Sea resuming on Saturday.

French Ruler takes on older horses in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1300m) and China Sea is in the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m).

“I was looking at the Hobartville for French Ruler as I thought we might get him up and going early and it won’t be a strong field,’’ Sargent said.

“But the Hobartville has come up as probably the strongest we have seen for that race in many years so we have gone for the other race.

“He’s a nice horse and I hope to see him hitting the line strong which will build his confidence going into the autumn.’’

A nail-biter in the Five Diamonds Prelude! Palmetto prevails! 💎@jsargentracing | @kathy_oharapic.twitter.com/tOKO9rTqH5

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 21, 2023

• EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday

China Sea, a third placegetter in the Victoria Derby, is lining up against a crack field including the likes of Broadsiding, Public Attention, Linebacker, Swiftfalcon and Aeliana in the Hobartville.

“He will get back midfield but as long as he is running on I will be happy,’’ Sargent said.

“I’m really happy with China Sea, he is stronger and bigger than last spring and I think you will see a good version of him leading up to the (ATC Australian) Derby at Randwick.”

• EXCLUSIVE: Sex abuse claim against trainer Gerald Ryan headed to court-ordered mediation

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ROSEHILL GARDENS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: It’s A Wonder $6-$5.50, Mogwai $8-$7, Noble Soldier $15-$13
Race 2: Kreon $11-$7.50, Ballinderry Sal $26-$10
Race 3: Lady Boss $4.60-$3.70, Cadetship $15-$14
Race 4: Theblade $5-$2.90, Bonita Queen $6.50-$4.60 with a bet of $2000 at $7.50, Piastri $9-$7.50, Wallenda $12-$8.50
Race 5: Makarena $3.50-$1.95, Firestorm $11-$7.50, Watch My Girl $11-$10
Race 6: Wodeton $2 including bets of $10,000 a $2.10, $2000 at $2, Bel Merci $5-$3, West Of Swindon $8-$5.50
Race 7: Our Anchorage $2.90-$2.50, Redstone Well $11-$9
Race 8: Public Attention $4.60-$4.20, Aeliana $8-$6.50, Mayfair $15-$10
Race 9: Headley Grange $4.80-$4.20, Wategos $11-$5, Ducasse $8.50-$5.50, West Of Africa $8.50-$6
Race 10: Shezanalister $5-$3.60, Time To Boogie $6-$4.60, Cosmonova $8-$7, Brudenell $11-$9

• Saturday Market Movers: Just one firmer in Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes

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EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 5,7,8
Race 4: 1,5,2
Race 5: 1,3,5
Race 6: 2,3,10

QUADDIE
Race 7: 1,5,10,11
Race 8: 1,3,4,8
Race 9: 1,3,4,11
Race 10: 5,7,10,11

• Tips from the big bookies for Saturday

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PRICE CHECK

WODETON (Race 6) has been the best backed runner on the Rosehill program. He’s a firm Silver Slipper favourite at $2 after bets of $10,000 a $2.10 and $2000 at $2. BONITA QUEEN (Race 4) has firmed from $6.50 into $4.60 after some consistent support including a bet of $2000 at $7.50 but THEBLADE has firmed to favouritism in that race from $5 to $2.90 after he was scratched from Canterbury on Friday night.

Did we just see the Golden Slipper winner?! 😮

Wodeton wins brilliantly at Rosehill for @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez!@aus_turf_club | @CoolmoreAuspic.twitter.com/ZlCFYR68WS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 18, 2025

• Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s tips, analysis for Rosehill on Saturday

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TRIAL POINTERS

THEBLADE (Race 4) showed promise in a two-start winter campaign last year, winning on debut at Kensington then running fourth to boom young sprinter Private Harry at Rosehill. He’s resuming over the Rosehill 1100m course and was very impressive in a recent 1050m Randwick trial where he settled off speed, showed good acceleration to seize control of the heat before easing down on the line. Promising young sprinter drawn to suit and gets in with a light weight.

Theblade right down the outside takes the opener on debut at Randwick!@[e-mail]/c8uvqsYAC7

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 14, 2024

GAMBLER (Race 6) failed at his only start last spring, was subsequently gelded, and has returned to brilliant win two barrier trials going into the Silver Slipper. Gambler came out running at Randwick over 740m and blitzed her rivals by more than six lengths. The Peter Snowden-trained two-year-old then was three wide facing the breeze in a 790m Warwick Farm heat before powering clear to win by more than three lengths. He’s flying in his trials and will take catching in the Silver Slipper.

2 brilliant trials for this 2YO this new prep.

Gambler (2g Capitalist x Flamboyant Lass) for @SnowdenRacing1
360k buy for @jmeharron from @NewgateFarm at @mmsnippets.

Had one run for 6th in a Flem Listed race. pic.twitter.com/TzhAz3lf5q

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) February 11, 2025

• ‘She is in that purple patch’: Elettrica powers into Millie Fox

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SECTIONAL STARS

SHEZANALISTER (Race 10) is dynamic fresh as she demonstrated once again with an outstanding first-up win at Randwick two weeks ago. The Bjorn Baker-trained mare ripped home her final 600m in a brilliant 32.63s, the best of the meeting, to reel in her rivals and win impressively.

🤩 A double to @BBakerRacing as Shezanalister lands some big bets to win at Randwick! pic.twitter.com/u2np4dOTxh

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2025

PUBLIC ATTENTION (Race 8) finished powerfully to win the Eskimo Prince Stakes with authority when resuming two weeks ago. The grey colt ran his final 600m in 34.44s as he raced clear of his rivals and was particularly strong through the line, indicated he will appreciate getting to 1400m for the Hobartville Stakes.

Public Attention commands attention by taking out the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes first up!@SchofieldChad | @MickPriceRacing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/VD2kfCXqRl

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2025

• Magnier’s feet firmly planted as Coolmore chases feature race double with Wodeton, Public Attention

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BEST BET

MAKARENA (Race 5) is returning after a very good spring preparation that included her win in the Group 2 Golden Pendant, a third placing in The Invitation, and an unlucky fourth in the Golden Eagle. She is very well placed under the set weights and penalties conditions of this mares race, and looked in super order winning a recent Randwick barrier trial.

A well deserved Group win for Makarena, who takes the Golden Pendant under @zaclloydx for @HawkesRacing! 💥 pic.twitter.com/lb3QojWHcs

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 28, 2024

• Schiller swoops in for Hawkes clean sweep bid

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VALUE

PALMETTO (Race 7) has been improved by three runs from a spell and indicated a return to winning form is imminent after his close third at Randwick last start. He has to prove he can run a strong 1900m but he’s had the perfect preparation. At odds of around $13, Palmetto is great each way value.

Originally published as Rosehill Inside Mail: Value for punters in Palmetto’s stamina test in Group 3 Parramatta Cup