Stable watch: Ray Thomas gets the inside mail for Rosehill
TAB BIG BETS: TRAINER Jason Coyle is taking two runners to Rosehill on Saturday — and they could easily provide him with a brace of winners.
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TRAINER Jason Coyle is taking two runners to Rosehill Gardens on Saturday — and they could easily provide him with a brace of winners.
Coyle has to wait for the final two races where he will saddle up Zedfast in the McGrath Estate Agents Handicap (1350m) and Freeze The Charges resumes in the Tab.com.au Handicap (1100m).
“I’m not shy in putting Zedfast into Saturday class and Freeze The Charges is the strongest she has ever been,’’ Coyle said.
R1: HYLAND RACE COLOURS HCP (1200m)
TRAINER Peter Snowden is hoping the addition of blinkers may coax the enigmatic Dark Steel to produce his best form.
“We need to see him turn it around,’’ Snowden said of Dark Steel who ran last behind Handfast in the South Pacific Classic last start. “He has the ability but lacks application at times. The horse looks great and we are hoping for a better run.”
TAB market movers: Reincarnate $2 unchanged ($2,000 @ $2)
NIC ASHMAN’S race analysis: Who will go forward and who will get back?
RAIL: In the true position usually allows backmarkers to run on without being hugely advantaged. The first two lanes against the fence are typically a place to avoid with five to eight horses off the ideal spot.
SPEED: Moderate. Dark Steel pushes through to lead with Reincarnate on his back or possibly one out one back stalking. RUN-ONS: All depends on the Waller runners and fit they are. Wudang Mountain, Pioneering resume without trials while Sir Bacchus, Sir Willie have one hitout under the belt.
R2: PLUCK AT VINERY HCP (1100m)
TALENTED filly Gretna, a late scratching from a stakes race during The Championships, is ready to make an impression at her belated Sydney debut.
“I nearly fainted when I got the call from Chris (Waller) saying the filly was stepping short and we had to scratch her,’’ said syndicator Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds.
“But she had recovered quickly and has been working well since. We don’t have the best barrier (nine) but we have the man (Hugh Bowman) on her.’’
Gretna won her second start a Moonee Valley last month then ran third to Najmaat and subsequent Sandown winner Highland Beat at Caulfield.
NIC ASHMAN’S race analysis
SPEED: Genuine. A fit Mooshakissa should look for the lead with Alliterate and Vee Eight giving him pressure. Sylpheed gets a nice trail along with Gretna. RUN-ONS: Eckstein, Impending through the middle, Aviator down the outside.
R3: JAMES BOAG’S PREMIUM HCP (2400m)
TOUGH three-year-old Doc Holliday could be aimed at the Queensland Derby if he can beat the older horses again.
“He got back on a decent track at Hawkesbury last start, we rode him a little differently and he hit the line strongly,’’ trainer David Payne said of Doc Holliday’s dominant effort at the provincial track last week.
“We will ride him the same way (Saturday) and if he can win or run very well then we will have a crack at the Derby in Queensland.’’
NIC ASHMAN’S race analysis
SPEED: Genuine with Mr Steal building momentum throughout the race ensuring it’s a true test. RUN-ONS: Rhodin Drive to settle in first half but a few lengths of leader while Murphy’s Delight could get the smother and charge home late.
R4: TAB HIGHWAY HCP (1500m)
LEADING Port Macquarie trainer Neil Godbolt has his first TAB Highway runner with Laredo Hussler.
“I haven’t had the right horse before to bring down to Sydney for these races but we have had this race in mind for Laredo Hussler,’’ Godbolt said. “The 1500m is about his right trip, he is a pretty honest little bloke and it took a fair horse (Torquay) to beat him at Taree last start. This isn’t an easy race but he should run competitively.’’
Godbolt has secured champion jockey Hugh Bowman to ride Laredo Hussler. “My theory is you start at the top and work your way down!’ he said.
TAB market movers: Galaxy Warrior $4.60-$2.90 ($350 @ $4.60, $300 @ $3.50, $5,000 @ $3.30, $4,000 @ $3, $400 @ $3.30)
NIC ASHMAN’S race analysis
SPEED: Fair but not hectic. Svavarsson and Galaxy Warrior share lead. Expect Punton Bernadini, Exitozo to settle handier. RUN-ONS: Allzin along the inside, Carribean Concert, Jungle down the outside.
R5: SCHWEPPES HCP (1500m)
TRAINER Paul Perry is confident Tatoosh can recapture his promising spring carnival form despite five unplaced efforts this campaign.
Tatoosh was runner-up in three successive stakes races earlier in the season but this autumn he has not been able to recapture that form.
“He is coming back in grade from the (Group 3) Packer Plate and that should help,’’ Perry said. “Also, I’m not sure if he runs a strong 2000m so the shorter trip (Saturday) will suit him better and he gets a firmer track, too. He is certainly very fit and working well.’’
NIC ASHMAN’S race analysis
SPEED: Fast enough for backmarkers to run on if good enough. Imposing Lass and Falkenberg press forward with Moher and Top Of My List stalking. RUN-ONS: Multifacets down the outside, Chandana through the middle. Watch for Hembrook to improve — he sweated up badly when resuming.
R6: TAB MORE THAN JUST WINNING HCP (1400m)
AFTER three weeks of soft tracks at Randwick, everyone is looking forward to racing on a firmer track at Rosehill — well almost everyone.
“I really want some rain for Sweet Kiss and Bring Luck (race eight),’’ trainer Amanda Turner said. “Sweet Kiss was terrific second-up (fourth behind Something Secret at Warwick Farm) and she should race well. If she won, we might look at the Darley Crown at Hawkesbury next week if the track happens to be wet next week.
“I am going to accept with Sweet Kiss and Bring Luck for Randwick on Monday and sit on the fence until Saturday morning to see how the Rosehill track comes up.’’
TAB market movers: Parraay $26-$13 ($200 e/w @ $26/$6 TWICE, $300 @ $13)
NIC ASHMAN’S race analysis
SPEED: Genuine as Sweet Kiss likes to hum along. Sort After gets the trail with Tremmezina on her outside. RUN-ONS: Amazon and Sahara Chill down the outside with Muy Bien improving through the middle.
R7: BOWERMAN’S OFFICE FURNITURE HCP (1500m)
SPY Decoder is another galloper coming out of the autumn carnival trying to regain top form.
“He is in the right race,’’ trainer Anthony Cummings said of Spy Decoder, who disappointed last start when well beaten behind Havana Cooler in the Doncaster Prelude.
“From that barrier (six) he is going to get the right run and although he has 61kg, it is on 57.5kg limit. I’m expecting him to run very well and then we have a couple of options for him either at Scone or even looking ahead to the Stradbroke Handicap. We will pick our mark with him.’’
TAB market movers: His Majesty $4.80-$3.80 ($500 @ $4.80)
NIC ASHMAN’S race analysis
SPEED: Fast. Himalaya Dream and a fresh Candelara go forward with Farolitos applying pressure deep out. High Midnight gets a lovely trail in behind them. RUN-ONS: His Majesty with even luck features in the finish. Spy Decoder, Dance Of Heroes through the middle and watch for an improved effort from Hollywood Bound out wide.
R8: MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HCP (1350m)
PAINTE has his first test away from his home track of Warwick Farm for nine months when he lines up in a competitive benchmark 78 sprint.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding has had five races and two barrier trials all at Warwick Farm since he ran second at Kembla Grange in July. Painte goes into Saturday’s race in arguably career-best form after a win and two placings in three runs this autumn.
“I think gelding Painte has done the trick, it has made an honest horse out of him,’’ Pride said. “He’s racing very well, he handles all track surfaces but his chances will improve if we get some rain.’’
NIC ASHMAN’S race analysis
SPEED: Genuine. Note Rocker hunts up from inside gate with a host of potential leaders coming from out wide. RUN-ONS: Hetty Heights, Well Hardly Ever through the middle and Turbulent Jet down the extreme outside.
R9: TAB.COM.AU HCP (1100m)
TRAINER Jason Coyle concedes Freeze The Charges usually needs a run or two to bring her to peak form and fitness but the mare has looked very sharp in two recent barrier trials.
“I’m always a little wary of her first-up because of her racing style — she likes to lead and if there is any chinks in her fitness she can be found out,’’ Coyle said. “But she has trialled really well, I’ve been very happy with her work and she has drawn a decent barrier. She has explosive speed out of the gates and she does like Rosehill.’’
TAB market movers: Mogador $4.80-$3.70 ($450 @ $4.80, $300 @ $4.40, $500 @ $4)
NIC ASHMAN’S race analysis
SPEED: Genuine. Freeze The Charges, Glenbawn Dame go forward in the middle with Miss Tenpins on their backs along with Our Renaissance. RUN-ONS: Fiftyshadesofgrey, Tahitian Black, Orujo and Mogador.
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