Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday

Form expert Shayne O’Cass analyses all 10 races at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis.

Form expert Shayne O’Cass analyses all 10 races at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis.

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RACE 1: Midway Benchmark 72 (1300m)

PRETTY TAVI (12) has a very famous seventh dam, none other than Chicquita who was a champion on and off the track. He had quite good form in Victoria but was never what you call ‘city class’. That’s not the case now that he is in NSW, Hawkesbury to be precise; three Midway runs, all of them very good. KHUMBILA (6) is ready, in fact is crying out for 1300m (and more) third-up. Has finally drawn a good alley and that could make all the difference. ROLLING MAGIC (2) has ‘Championships form’.

BET: PRETTY TAVI (12) to win.

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RACE 2: Highway Handicap (Class 3, 1500m)

RED RAGS TO BULLS (10) has contested two Highways prior to this, finishing third to Super Norwest in the first and fourth to the same horse here at Rosehill two weeks ago. If he is going to win one, probably be this one. THINK LIKE PADDY (1) ticks all the boxes so let me just throw in a bit of trivia regarding the name. He is by So You Think and was bred by Patrick Hogan (who used to call Sir Tristram Paddy). This is Sir Patrick’s amazing Gay Poss family.

BET: RED RAGS TO BULLS (10) each-way.

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RACE 3: 3&4yo Benchmark 72 (1400m)

PRETTY POWERFUL (12)’s 11th of 12 at Randwick last Saturday was best summed up by the Stewards; Began awkwardly. Held up over the final 400m and, as a result, was unable to be fully tested. End quote. And that’s putting it mildly. Can’t imagine the same thing happening this weekend with barrier 11 of 12. Always been a fan of AGITA (11). This is a nice race for the son of Adelaide to resume in. KADALL (6) has finished on the podium at 15 of 21 starts. Deserves another win and is getting close too.

BET: PRETTY POWERFUL (12) each-way, box trifecta 6,8,11,12.

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RACE 4: Fillies & Mares Benchmark 78 (1400m)

PAJANTI (6) was a $500,000 yearling not so much because she is a Pierro, but the fact that her third dam is the broodmare gem of all gems, Shantha’s Choice. Gerald Ryan co-trains Pajanti, he trained her (handy) mother too namely Crystal Flute. As for Pajanti, she can’t get to 1400m fast enough. WEEPING WOMAN (5) has been a very costly conveyance at her two runs this time; but in her defence, she struck a Heavy 8 first-up then drew 12 of 12 the next time and was only beaten a neck. CHANGING COLOURS (7) hasn’t missed a medal in eight starts!

BET: PAJANTI (6) each-way, quinella 5,6.

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RACE 5: 3yo Benchmark 72 (1100m)

USEAPIN (8) is a Chris Waller-trained filly by one of his two Everest winners (Yes Yes Yes). She’s won three of her nine starts, albeit at the NSW provincials but she has run some honourable races when tried in town against the likes of More Territories and Aeliana no less. She was never let loose in either trial. Market watch advised. RANTAN (6) had no luck there at Gosford there on Cup day in what has turned out to be a very, very strong form race. SPYWIRE (1) is almost certainly the best horse in the race. Just have to see if ‘they’ back him.

BET: USEAPIN (8) to win (best bet).

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RACE 6: Benchmark 88 (1500m)

TESTATOR SILENS (5) was rock solid, even fancied in the betting stakes, when third-up here two weeks ago. He looked primed to peak in what was the perfect race for him. As it turned out, he never passed a horse. Nothing in the stewards’ report to shed light on the poor performance so we just have to write it off to horses not being machines. Me? I do think the 4kg reduction in weight will help. THUNDERLIPS (2) is ‘121’ coming onto this. He deserves so much praise for that win at Randwick last start. GREEN SHADOWS (1) is all but pitched in her with 57kg.

BET: TESTATOR SILENS (5) each-way.

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RACE 7: Stayer’s Cup (2400m)

MORMONA (6) has been on my radar since before, and after, he resumed in the Lord Mayors Cup where he ran an eye-catching 7th of 14. He followed that up with a 6th of 14 in the Winter Cup up against a fair few of this weekend’s Stayers Cup rivals. By the way, this race should be 3200m if you ask me! HOPEFUL (3) is a player.

BET: MORMONA (6) each-way.

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RACE 8: Benchmark 78 (1800m)

Just for some text, I was moderately keen on LENAPE VIBE (14) second-up, when few were it seems given he drifted from $51 to $61. Might have been a run short but there is no doubt that he should have finished closer and higher up the order than he did. Take note he comes back from 2000m to 1800m, mindful that he is one for one at the track and trip. KAZALARK (13) has raced himself into peak fitness now and gets to 1800m off his best run this time in. FEDERER (12) will be fitter on Saturday for his ‘second serve’.

BET: LENAPE VIBE (14) each-way, KAZALARK (13) top place.

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RACE 9: Listed WJ McKell Cup (2000m)

ADELAIDE RIVER (1) boasts an absolutely fascinating CV. He is a son of Australia who won the English and Irish Derbies; just like his own father, Galileo did. Adelaide River didn’t win them but he ran in the English and Irish Derbies (second) as well as the French classic (which he ran second in as well). All we can say about the present day is that he is trialling like he is back in business. BELVEDERE BOYS (5) is 2 for 2 at the track and distance including a big win in the Country Classic.

BET: ADELAIDE RIVER (1) each-way.

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RACE 10: Benchmark 78 (1200m)

UNSTOPABULL (9) has a commendable overall record of 12 podium finishes from 20 starts and four of them are wins. I would venture to say a few of those eight placings could have been wins but for his pattern and/or circumstances beyond the horse’s own control. This is more or less ‘his trip’ and with Jeff Penza on from a wide gate, it could be down the middle and over the top. FLYING DESTINY (5) has massive excuses for the first-up ‘last’ at Canterbury; wide throughout being the gist. Drawn 3 this time.

BET: UNSTOPABULL (9) each-way, FLYING DESTINY (5) to place.

Originally published as Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday