Stable watch: Brad Davidson gets the inside mail for Rosehill on Saturday

TAB BIG BETS: CHRIS Waller described Joao Moreira as “a worldwide sensation” and is upbeat the ‘Magic Man’ can get the job done on Omei Sword in Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Rose.

CHRIS Waller described Joao Moreira as “a worldwide sensation” and is upbeat the ‘Magic Man’ can get the job done aboard Omei Sword in Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Rose.

Much has been made of Moreira’s poor record in Sydney since 2015 (28 rides for zero wins) but Waller had nothing but good words to say about the Hong Kong-based jockey.

“He is a worldwide sensation,” Waller said. “We’ve got world-class riders here and Joao is as equal to them plus he brings with him this presence that punters like following.

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“Sure there are plenty of good riders (here) and I always get criticism for it but what those people need to understand is my job is to get the horse over the line firstly for the owners and, just as importantly, for the punters.

“I do whatever I can to get the best jockeys on my horses and in this instance we have been fortunate enough to get Joao Moreira.”

Waller is aware of the fillies’ poor record in the Golden Rose but insists Omei Sword is not your average filly. “She is a very strong horse,” Waller said.

BRAD DAVIDSON & SHAYNE O’CASS PREVIEW GOLDEN ROSE DAY

RACE 1: POCKIT BLOCK-IT HCP (1500m)

APPRENTICE Travis Wolfgram is hoping Stilettoed Vixen can give him an overdue Saturday city win at Rosehill.

“She is not the flashiest of trackworkers but she worked pretty good for her on Tuesday, so fingers crossed we can get a Saturday win,” he said.

Wolfgram said his sole Saturday city winner in Sydney was aboard Boss Lane last August.

“I have forgotten what it feels like,” he quipped. ‘‘I’ve been getting plenty midweek but it’s the Saturday ones that people really notice.”

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Rosaleisha $11 — $9.50 ($500 @ $11), Longkissgoodnight $4 — $3.60

RACE 2: SCHWEPPES HCP (1800m)

MARK Newnham has had five minor placings from his first 12 starters as a trainer and is hoping Lanciato can help him get on the board on Saturday.

“Lanciato hasn’t had a lot of luck at his last couple of runs and he races well at Rosehill,” he said. “I’m sure the firmer surface and extra 300m will suit him.”

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Antonio Giuseppe $2.80 — $2.70 ($1000 @ $2.80), Crosley Hotshot $21 — $17

RACE 3: #THERACES HCP (1200m)

CHRIS Waller is bullish Sir Bacchus can overcome his impost of 61.5kg and bring up his sixth win from just his 10th start on Saturday.

“I just think he is entitled to have another win before he has to be racing against those better horses,” Waller said. “Maybe it’s just as hard winning a race like this with 61.5kg but you have Hugh Bowman aboard and you are talking world class and that’s why we haven’t claimed.

“He didn’t win by a big margin (first-up) but he well and truly got the job done.”

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Sir Bacchus $2.30 ($1500 @ $2.30), Bullrush $4 — $3.80 ($500 @ $4)

Sir Bacchus will be chasing back to back wins on Saturday. Picture: Simon Bullard

RACE 4: TAB HIGHWAY HCP (1200m)

MATT Dunn reckons punters can build a bank for later in the day by backing Quatronic in the TAB Highway Handicap. Dunn said Quatronic was only 80 per cent fit when winning a Class 3 at Doomben first-up last month.

“I left him quite a way under rather than having him wound up and he worked the entire race and it was a blanket finish but I think he had them covered,” Dunn said. “He is a nice horse but he is going to get there next prep and he hasn’t furnished yet. But he is better than those horses (Saturday) and he bashed Oink up last start and it’s going to the Golden Rose.”

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Ocean Grand $9 — $8.50, Quatronic $4 — $3.60 — $3.80 — $3.60 ($750 @ $4), Moss My Name $9 — $8.50, Diversifier $26 — $21

RACE 5: KINGSTON TOWN STAKES (2000m)

SIR John Hawkwood has been one horse to catch the eye at the trials recently and John Thompson tipped the former David Vandyke-trained stayer to go close in his first run for the stable.

“I’m still learning about him but I know he is going well,” Thompson said. “He has come on since his trials and he seems a happy horse and he is eating really well. I can’t see why he won’t run a nice race.”

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Allergic $2.80 — $2.60

RACE 6: GOLDEN ROSE (1400m)

THE pre-race talk has been about Astern, Omei Sword and Divine Prophet but Peter Snowden feels punters shouldn’t underestimate Mediterranean with the winkers on.

“I worked him a few times with them on and he just seems a bit more focused,” Snowden said. “I think seven furlongs is what he has been crying out for and he gets to the right trip, good draw and it’s the grand final so I’m not leaving any stone unturned.”

Chris Waller also described Nikitas as a “knockout chance”, while Adrian Bott gave a solid push for El Divino and “forgotten horse” Thronum.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Astern $3.80 — $4.60 ($2650, $1000 e/w and $800 @ $4.60), Divine Prophet $4.60 ($1000 @ $4.60), Impending $15 — $11, Yankee Rose $11 — $7 ($1000 e/w @ $9.50/$2.70, $680 and $500 @ $8, $750, $700 and $500 @ $7), Omei Sword $3.20 — $3.50 ($2000 @ $3.20, $2000 @ $3.50)

RACE 7: THEO MARKS STAKES (1300m)

CHRIS Waller admits Mackintosh “probably needs to improve to beat those sprinters” but stablemate Counterattack is sure to have his admirers after trialling well recently.

“(Counterattack) has let us down in a few grand finals but he has always impressed in lead-up races,” Waller said. “The Theo Marks is a good starting point and he looks a nice horse for the (Sir) Rupert Clarke and Toorak or we have the Epsom in our backyard.”

Les Bridge also gave a good push for Southern Legend.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Tycoon Tara $7 — $8, Counterattack $4.60 — $4.20 ($500 @ $4.60), Southern Legend $2.80 — $2.60

RACE 8: SHERACO STAKES (1200m)

HEAVENS Above could well be the best placed horse on the Rosehill card but Tim Martin feels the drop back to 1200m could bring her undone.

“She is going great and we have kept her pretty fresh for this race and she has drawn well but she is not a 1200m horse,” Martin said. “But she is so well placed in that race (under the set weights and penalties conditions) that I had to run her in it.

“If it was 1300m I would be almost declaring her and I‘m just hoping they run along a bit.”

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Nancy $11 — $9, Savoureux $15 — $13 ($500 @ $15), Denmagic $13 ($400 x $800 @ $13/$4), Ravi $7 — $6 ($800 @ $7, $600 @ $6)

RACE 9: ROSEHILL BOWLING CLUB HCP (1400m)

CLARRY Conners is one trainer hoping the heavens open on Friday as Conarchie bids to return to the winner’s circle. “He is a terrific wet-tracker and if the track gets hard he won’t even run,” Conners said. “He is racing well but he wants the rain.”

Les Bridge won’t be surprised if Balmain Boy runs a race fresh.

“He is a little bit better when he gets over further but I wouldn’t be surprised if he runs a good race just the same and those horses sprint well fresh,” Bridge said.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Fabrizio $9 — $8.50 ($600 @ $9), Coolcraft $13 — $11, More To Gain $7 — $8, Balmain Boy $17 — $9

TURF TALK

Ray Thoams and Brad Davidson discuss their tops picks for Golden Rose Day

BD: I know the Golden Rose has been a bad race for the fillies Ray but I’m tipping that to change on Saturday. Omei Sword looks beautifully placed to take out the first Group 1 of the Sydney Spring Carnival.

RT: I’m just surprised she is favourite, Brad — the two fillies she beat in the Silver Shadow would not be in the market for the Golden Rose. Does that mean the colts are better? We are about to find out but I think that might be the case and I’m leaning to Divine Prophet from El Divino. Astern could blow them away but the barrier concerns me.

BD: I think barriers might be crucial this year and I just see Omei Sword getting the perfect run in a race which looks devoid of genuine speed. I reckon Derryn is the best roughie in the race and he had plenty of excuses in the Up and Coming Stakes.

RT: I was taken by Divine Prophet’s finishing burst to run down Derryn last start and the 1400m is only going to suit him even more. On a firmer track, Winx’s half-brother El Divino is great value at $15.

BD: I’m really interested to see Southern Legend again in the Theo Marks Stakes. His win rated through the roof first-up and I’m tipping him to go on with the job on Saturday.

RT: Southern Legend drops 7kg off his Randwick win and Felines, who was third that day, has franked the form since. I think he can win too but I am wary of Old North. This horse could be a star.

BD: That’s a big call Ray but I will definitely throw him in my quaddie now. Another must for the quaddie is Savoureux in the Sheraco Stakes. Her run first-up was super against the boys and her strike rate at 1200m is very good. I think she is great value at $13.

RT: Ravi for me — her trials have been outstanding. She performs well fresh but this is another race with many chances. This is a really interesting meeting with some promising horses lining up including the unbeaten Bullrush in race 3. We will get a good line on him when he takes on Sir Bacchus and co.

BD: All right Ray, what’s the good thing at Rosehill?

RT: Antonio Giuseppe to go three straight in race 2. He will enjoy getting out to 1800m. What’s your best mate?

BD: I think Quatronic is one of the better bets of the month in the TAB Highway Handicap and he won in this grade first-up when he was 80 per cent fit. I like Sir John Hawkwood in the Kingston Town but $21 about Song And Laughter is a silly price.