Off and Racing: Matt Jones’s extended preview and tips for Rosehill Gardens
Daily Telegraph racing writer Matt Jones runs the rule over every race, with TAB market movers and suggested bets for Coolmore Classic day Rosehill Gardens. LATEST BETTING
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Daily Telegraph racing writer Matt Jones runs the rule over every race, with TAB market movers and suggested bets for Rosehill Gardens.
MATT’S TOP PICKS
BEST BET
ZALETTE (Race 5, No.12)
VALUE BET
MAHALANGUR (Race 1, No.7)
ROSEHILL GARDENS
Track: Good 4. Rail: True.
R1 (1pm): CATANACH’S HCP (1350m)
OVERVIEW: Archedemus was the only horse Star Of The Seas couldn’t get past last start and it came out and won its heat of the Provincial Championships. Kerrin McEvoy sticks with him and with 8kg less on his back than topweight Don’t Give A Damn, he’s awfully hard to beat third-up on a rain-affected track. Mahalangur is a talent and despite a quiet trial, be sure Team Hawkes has him ready to run a big race fresh. Paret will need every bit of the 1350m to win and if he decided to turn up he’ll threaten. It’s an open race with most horses making a case so this is a tough start to the day.
BET: MAHALANGUR (7) and STAR OF THE SEAS (9) in a quinella.
TAB MARKET MOVERS: You Make Me Smile $7 - $7.50 - $6.50, Paret $5.50 - $6, Mahalangur $5.50 - $5, Safado $4 - $4.20 ($500 @ $4.20), Star Of The Seas $4 - $3.60 ($400 @ $4, $500 @ $3.60)
LATEST BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS
R2 (1.40pm): MAURICE MCCARTEN STAKES (1100m)
OVERVIEW: Trekking goes super fresh. If he hasn’t won first-up he’s run behind Menari, I Am Excited and Trapeze Artist. A bog track may bring him down, though. It won’t hurt Easy Eddie who swims through the ground. He’s been on fire of late and Joe Pride thinks a fast-run race will suit him. She Knows is on a quick back-up and will love getting her toe into the track at what’s her perfect trip. She’s so honest and deserves a Group win but will need to improve a touch. Fiery Heights brings Queensland form down and is a noted wet tracker.
BET: I think it’s a race in two. Back TREKKING to just beat EASY EDDIE.
TAB MARKET MOVERS: Music Magnate $6.50 - $8.50, Fiery Heights $6.50 - $7, Easy Eddie $5 - $4.20 ($900 @ $4.60, $400 @ $4.20), Trekking $3.80 - $3.10 - $3.30
R3 (2.15pm): MAGIC NIGHT STAKES (1200m)
OVERVIEW: Athiri comes off a super run in the Blue Diamond Stakes when she flew home to run just behind the winner. This time she gets the inside gate and should be having the last say in this race. Villami is the X-factor horse of the field. She was very impressive in winning in a weaker race on debut but if she’s as good as Gerald Ryan thinks she is she’ll more than match up in Stakes grade. Icebath want that bad last start and might be the one at odds to consider. Probabeel brings top New Zealand form over and she’s bred to handle a wet track.
BET: ATHIRI should get the breaks this time so back her to win.
TAB MARKET MOVERS: Probabeel $6.50 - $7 - $5.50, Lankan Star $8 - $9, Athiri $4.60 - $4, Niedorp $23 - $26 - $23 ($300 @ $26), Villami $5.50 - $6, Invincible Lotus $19 - $13 - $15, Icebath $51 - $41 ($500 x $2000 @ $51/$12)
R4 (2.55pm): PAGO PAGO STAKES (1200m)
OVERVIEW: Cosmic Force probably would’ve beaten Microphone if their runs were swapped last start. He had to do the leg work yet was still strong to the line. He can take a sit and show off a turn of foot that most of his rivals won’t match. His stablemate Hightail went super in the Magic Millions and should fire off a little freshen up. Faretti flopped on debut after the stable said he was top class. His recent trial suggested he can improve but it will have to be a significant improvement. Born A Warrior would’ve finished a bit closer to Time To Reign after having his momentum halted at a crucial point.
BET: COSMIC FORCE to win.
TAB MARKET MOVERS: Hightail $4.60 - $5, Cosmic Force $6 - $4.60 ($750 @ $5), Yulong Savings $8.50 - $9.50
R5 (3.35pm): PHAR LAP STAKES (1500m)
OVERVIEW: Did you see Zalatte warming up towards the end of the Group 1 Surround Stakes a fortnight ago? She might want a mile but she’ll be flashing late and can nab them. It’s hard to beat the boys in these types of races but she’s got something special about her. Verry Elleegant is the other class mare who is looking for some rain which she’ll get in spades. Rock and Ranier look to be the clots who could run nice races with the former set to start at juicy odds. If Mizzy runs she’s the best wet tracker.
BET: ZALATTE to win.
TAB MARKET MOVERS: Aristia $6 - $7 - $6.50 ($1000 e/w @ $6.50/$2.60), Seabrook $8 - $9 - $8 ($500 @ $9), Mizzy $8 - $9, Verry Elleegant $4.60 - $3.70 ($400 @ $4.20, $500 @ $3.70), Zalatte $8 - $6.50 ($500 e/w @ $6.50/$2.50)
R6 (4.10pm): SKY HIGH STAKES (2000m)
OVERVIEW: Red Cardinal stormed home to win fresh over 1900m which these stayers can do when fresh. He tends to hold his form second-up though. Let’s hope he’s not already looking for further though. Samadoubt is on the quick back-up from a Canberra Cup win and he’s the leader of this race which is a good advantage to have if the track is a bog. Age Of Fire didn’t have to go around a horse last start but it was a good effort to run third off a long, sustained run. Patrick Erin is ticking along nicely and likes a wet track and Goathland should hold his winning form.
BET: SAMADOUBT to win.
TAB MARKET MOVERS: Patrick Erin $11 - $9.50, Red Cardinal $11 - $7.50, Tavago $8 - $9.50, Brimham Rocks $15 - $13 ($500 @ $15), Gallic Chieftain $6 - $6.50, Samadoubt $6 - $6.50, Goathland $6 - $6.50, Ambitious $8 - $6.50
R7 (4.50pm): COOLMORE CLASSIC (1500m)
OVERVIEW: As usual the Coolmore is a very open affair and 15 horses could win it. I like I Am Serious. She ticks all the boxes for this race and should be looking like the winner 100m from home as long as she gets even luck. Fiesta is the toughest mare you’re likely to see and she’ll make them work for a win. Dixie Blossoms and Daysee Doom both showed they’re back as good as ever with lovely fresh runs. Look back on El Dorado Dreaming’s two runs back in and you’ll want to have her in your first four. She’s flying.
BET: I AM SERIOUS to win.
TAB MARKET MOVERS: I Am Serious $5.50 - $5 - $5.50 ($400 @ $5.50), Savatiano $16 - $17 ($900 @ $17), El Dorado Dreaming $19 - $17, Jamaican Rain $9 - $8 ($650 @ $9)
R8 (5.30pm): AJAX STAKES (1500m)
OVERVIEW: Land Of Plenty’s issue is a bog track but if that doesn’t occur he’s the one to beat on current form. None of these horses are coming off a close fourth behind Alizee in a Group 1. Dreamforce is the big threat. He won’t be able to bully them into the ground like he did last start but he’s still as effective coming off the back of one and showing of his turn of foot. He loves Rosehill too. Fierce Impact needs the weather to stay away to show off his talent. Seaway’s in top form and has been placed perfectly at his favourite trip yet again.
BET: LAND OF PLENTY and DREAMFORCE to run first and second.
TAB MARKET MOVERS: Land Of Plenty ($1000 @ $4.20), Fifty Stars ($500 @ $4.80), Fierce Impact $13 - $11, Seaway $7 - $6.50, Abdon $61 - $34, Salsonic $61 - $34, Dyslexic $18 - $13 - $14
R9 (6.10pm): ANZ BLOODSTOCK HCP (1900m)
Supernova produced an absolute eye-catcher on his Australian debut over 1500m and the 1900m now really brings him into the picture. We’ve just got to hope he isn’t a little flat second-up but he shouldn’t be. Desert Path does drop back in trip 100m which is my only concern. He should’ve won last start over 2000m. His stablemate Bajan Gold is looking for 1900m now and Kerrin McEvoy sticks with him and he’s been given a trial since his last run which is a proven formula Chris Waller likes to use. Sondelon will give his usual good sight and be in it for a long way.
BET: SUPERNOVA to just beat DESERT PATH.
TAB MARKET MOVERS: Desert Path $4.40 - $4.80, Supernova $6 - $4.20, Bajan Gold $6 - $7
Originally published as Off and Racing: Matt Jones’s extended preview and tips for Rosehill Gardens
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