Inside Mail and The Judgement: Expects give their final word on Rosehill Gardens
In-form sprinter Much Much Better can close out the Rosehill meeting on a high for trainer Gary Moore.
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Trainer Gary Moore can’t fault flying grey Much Much Better going into the Smithfield RSL Club Sprint (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Much Much Better has won three of his five attempts since joining the Moore stable including his brilliant effort at Newcastle’s The Hunter meeting last start when he led throughout and won by more than three lengths.
“I gave him a week at the farm after that win which is why I thought I’d go for the 1200m race rather than stretch him out over further,” Moore said.
“Much Much Better looked fantastic on the track (Friday) morning, he has worked really well going into this race.”
Moore said what has impressed him about Much Much Better is his ability to sustain a strong tempo which has his rivals off the bit and chasing a long way out in his races.
“When he was pressured at Newcastle, he still found something extra over the final 200m,” Moore said.
“I’ve got a big opinion of this horse. He’s got plenty of speed and I think he is Group-class.”
Much Much Better, Moore’s only runner at his home track meeting, is at $6.50 in overnight betting for the last of 10 races.
“We have to wait around until the last – but I think the wait will be worth it,” Moore said.
THE BEST BARRIERS
The best barriers at Rosehill Gardens for the last 3 years (in order of wins)
1100m: 1,2,3,4
1200m: 2,3,1,4
1300m: 2,5,3,8
1350m: 2,3,7,9
1400m: 3,5,4,6
1500m: 1,5,4,2
1800m: 2,3,4,6
2000m: 4,8,1,6
THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Nicci’s Fling $6-$6.50-$5.50-$6 after bets of $200x$2,000 e/w at $6/$1.90, Saigon $11-$8.50
Race 2: Lucky Banner $11-$8
Race 3: Snitzonfire $4.60-$3.80-$3.90 with bets of $500 at $4.20, $500 at $3.90, Capo Strada $11-$6.50-$7 with a $300 at $8.50
Race 4: I Am Power $8-$5 with bets of $500 at $6, $1,000 at $5.50, Mr Mosaic $3.50-$3.20-$2.90 with bets of $600 at $3.50, $500 at $3.20 twice, $500 at $2.90
Race 5: No big bets or market movements of note
Race 6: Karlstad $7-$5
Race 7: Huetor $7.50-$7 with bets of $500 at $7.50, $500 at $7
Race 8: Francesco Guardi $7-$5.50-$4.20 with bets of $500 at $6.50, $400x$2,200 e/w at $6/$2, $500 at $5, $1,000 at $4.80, $4,500 at $4.60, $500 at $4.60 twice, Casino Kid $31-$15, Waihaha Falls $12-$7-$5.50
Race 9: Brutality $6.50-$4.40-$4.80 with a $500 e/w bet at $6.50/$2, Canasta $11-$6.50-$6 including a bet of $800 e/w at $7/$2
Race 10: No big bets or market movement of note
EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 1,2,5,10
Race 4: 1,4,8
Race 5: 1,3,4
Race 6: 1,2,8
QUADDIE
Race 7: 1,2,4,11
Race 8: 1,2,3,5
Race 9: 1,9,8
Race 10: 2,7,11,13
PRICE CHECK
Francesco Guardi (race 8) is clearly the best-backed runner on the Rosehill program. He opened at a generous $7 midweek but consistent support for the Chris Waller-trained import has resulted in his odds firming to $4.20 and challenging for favouritism. Some of the big bets on Francesco Guardi include $1,000 at $4.80 and $4,500 at $4.60.
TRIAL POINTERS
Starman (race 3) is trained by Chris Waller who is the proven master of the Zoustar breed, perhaps not surprisingly. This particular son of Zoustar burst onto the scene with a barnstorming win on debut on the Kensington track on July 28. Unplaced in his two subsequent outings, Starman resurfaced during a marathon set of heats at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning and was one of the undisputed stellar performers on the program, charging away from his rivals to win the 900m heat by upwards of three lengths.
I Am Power (race 4) is a sparingly-raced Irish-bred seven-year-old with just 12 starts under the belt, winning four times with three placings, A debut winner in England, I Am Power arrived in Australia from Hong Kong where his peak performance was a 1000m win at Sha Tin in February 2019. The son of Power made an immediate impression in his short, sharp first Australian campaign - winning a 1200m Benchmark 78 at Rosehill on May 22. The Mark Newnham-trained galloper has been primed for what would be his third first-up win if successful via two outstanding Warwick Farm trials last month.
SECTIONAL STARS
Nicci’s Fling (race 1) has been an inspired purchase by her managing owners - Gold Edge. Bought for $50,000 as a yearling, Nicci’s Fling has already banked close to $240,000 with the promise of more to come. On top of that, she will be a highly sought after broodmare when the time comes given that as it stands, she is a stakes-placed granddaughter of Robert Sangster’s crack filly, Midnight Fever. Nicci’s Fling was her usual honest and reliable self when she hit the line with purpose at Kembla giving the winner, Queen Bellissimo, 6kg and a headstart.
Lord Desanimaux (race 2) is trained by the Highway king, Terry Robinson, and is a half-brother to stablemate, Country Championship Final and Kosciuszko winner Art Cadeau. Lord Desanimaux is contesting his 11th Highway and follows hot on the heels on his nose second at Kembla on November 20 where he finished with his now trademark gusto. Drawn well and is advantaged by a favourable draw (4) on his way to 1800m.
BEST BET
Francesco Guardi (race 8) is a son on of English superhorse Frankel and he has made steady improvement in his three Australian starts since joining the Chris Waller stable. There was a lot to like about his last start effort when narrowly beaten by stablemate Born A King. Stays at the Rosehill 1500m course, ideally drawn in barrier 4 and James McDonald takes the mount. He’s ready to win.
VALUE BET
Black Duke (race 5) challenged for favouritism in a stronger race at Kembla Grange last start but he had every chance before finishing only sixth to Ranges. He was second-up that day and will be improved by the run. Black Duke, an impressive winner at Canterbury when resuming, should appreciate getting out to 1300m and $7 is generous odds.
THE JUDGMENT
ROSEHILL GARDENS
R7: Cabra Bowls Hcp (2000m)
Paul Joice (Sky Thoroughbred Central): “Comme Bella Fille is a progressive filly. Strong win last start, looking for this journey and maps to enjoy a handy trail. Ladylovestogamble gets the blinkers on first time. Consistent mare adept on all ground. Jazzland to take some catching as usual.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Sports Radio): “Jazzland gets complete control here and will relish a return to a firmer surface. Just hasn’t been able to dash and get them chasing on softer tracks and expect a bold showing here at juicy odds. Nice progression to ready him for 2000m at his 4th run back whereas some of his opposition here jumping quick to that trip.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Jesse James was scratched last week from the heavy track and this looks within his grasp. 9 placings in 10 starts and he won’t have to do much work from barrier 3. Happy to speck him each way at the $10 mark. I was impressed with Huetor’s Australian debut and he looks next best.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Huetor was one of the first backed and has easily been the most popular galloper all week.”
Verdict: Jazzland
R8: Dooleys Hcp (1500m)
Paul Joice (Sky Thoroughbred Central): “Casino Kid offers each-way value. No luck in a Highway last time and while this is harder gets in well with the claim, has gate one and is looking for the 1500m. Waihaha Falls sure to improve second-up. Francesco Guardi close to a win.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Sports Radio): “I was all over Francesco Guardi last start and see no reason not to stick this week on a better track from another soft draw. Tim Clark just couldn’t press the button when he wanted last start when runner up to Born A King and easily accounted for Too Much Caviar in same race. Slots in tracking lead here and looks very hard to beat.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Deficit has not done much wrong in his 6 starts to date and he goes on top for me. Casino Kid has been running well without winning. Gets a 3kg claim for Reece Jones and will be finishing hard. Looks over the odds at his current price of $12.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “They are all over Francesco Guardi who is holding three times as much money as anything else.”
Verdict: Francesco Guardi
R9: Bankstown Sports Club Hcp (1400m)
Paul Joice (Sky Thoroughbred Central): “Bigboyroy returns from a freshen-up. Consistent performer, maps to enjoy the right run so leaning his way in a tight one. Oxford Tycoon weighted to give this a big shake. Katalin and Brutality have the class and should be right in it.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Sports Radio): “Might just go quicker than you think here with Canasta, Oxford Tycoon and possibly Pandano rolling along. Bigboyroy is a while between drinks but hasn’t finished further back than 4th at all of his runs since a victory. Resumes off a 63-day break here and will be suited on a better track which is not the case for his main rival in Brutality.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Bigboyroy resumes off a short break and he looks the one for me. James McDonald knows him well and he will appreciate the sting out of the ground. Canasta has a very good second up record and should appreciate the rise to 1400m. I thought the favourite Katalin was entitled to do more last start and I’m happy to take him on at the short odds.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Canasta is the each-way play for mine. Has excellent second-up stats, loves Rosehill and handles most conditions.”
Verdict: Bigboyroy
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