Rosehill races: Shayne O’Cass’ tips and extended preview

Form analyst Shayne O’Cass is keen on Wairere Falls to kick off his campaign on a winning note at Rosehill on Saturday.

Wairere Falls looks set for a first-up win at Rosehill on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass runs the rule over every race, including suggested bets, for the Rosehill meeting on Saturday.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

ROSEHILL

Track: Heavy 8. Rail: True

RACE 1: TAB HIGHWAY CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1200m)

Overview: Steplee has Country Championships written all over him. He is in the right stable (Rodney Northam) to get him there and you can just see him sweeping home down the middle of the Randwick track on April 2 - he has just got to get there first. Midsummer Rain was fantastic in the Highway at Randwick on Boxing Day but will need all the luck in the world from his wide gate. Still achievable. Zoo Station is a Highway winner of a smashing trial win.

The Bet: Steplee to win

RACE 2: FUJITSU GENERAL HANDICAP (1500m)

Overview: Sword Point to back up from his luckless second at Warwick Farm on Wednesday? One Aye has really measured-up well when he has come to town this preparation and should get a few favours from barrier one while Fiordland has found his mojo now and can win again. That said, Red Tracer’s son Overlord appeals now that it seems that he might be getting back to where he was when he was a moderately sized ‘boom horse’.

The Bet: Overlord to win

RACE 3: PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1500m)

Overview: Reece Jones had a day out at Warwick Farm on Wednesday and had the ride on early favourite Fashchanel who will need to be on her game early to hopefully whiz over and set the tempo. And We Danced was $8 into $4.50 on a full field on Wednesday. Has quite good form in New Zealand, no weight here and two decent trials. Saigon went within a whisker of winning first-up behind Shihonka which is bankable form. Granted, the Waller mare wasn’t all that flash behind Fashchanel but can turn the tables now at the 1500m.

The Bet: Saigon to win

Saigon can peak third-up and turn the tables on Fashchanel. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1400m)

Overview: Metro Legend - the horse formerly known as Cadenabbia - has been tuned-up with a couple of excellent trials at Warwick Farm. Hasn’t lived up to his promise, much less his pedigree, but he could be in for a good prep. Nictock has the draw and jockey to do what he does best. May not win a lot but always gives himself a chance. More Sundays is the ‘barnstormer’ in this line up He charges late in his races, sometimes he misses, last time he won. Ditto some of that for Born A Warrior.

The Bet: Metro Legend to win, quinella 5,13

RACE 5: PETALUMA HANDICAP (1400m)

Overview: Matt Damon reckons fortune favours the brave and all that, we will see if that’s true on Saturday for the loyal, if not weary fans of Lackeen. He has the talent to win but can he overcome the wide draw and a few handy types here? Yes, he can, but will he? Kingsheir is the weight horse of the card. Sacred Falls’ little brother Wairere Falls has some compelling numbers right across the board. Other things to like are his barrier, his jockey and his trials.

The Bet: Wairere Falls to win

RACE 6: ACYSECURITIES HANDICAP (1100m)

Overview: Rule Of Law is unbeaten in his two runs for Bjorn Baker, both of them decisive but they were at home in somewhat easier races. Be the ride of the day bar none if Jenny Duggan can get him safely from out there. Never Second, likewise, is aiming for a hat-trick of wins on Saturday. Going to make for a fascinating first furlong throwing Miss Baltimore into the mix. Miracle Day got his hat-trick already when he posted what is fast becoming a trademark easy win at Canterbury.

The Bet: Miracle Day each-way

Loveplanet will strip fitter for his first-up and will go close on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images)

RACE 7: RANVET HANDICAP (1500m)

Overview: Loveplanet was always going to run well first-up on the score of talent and his trials and that’s exactly how it panned out when he ran an honourable fifth at Randwick on Boxing Day. Canasta will give himself every chance out in front and presents as a very fit horse - could be hard to run down this time. Southern Lights - as expected - found the 1400m a bit short of his best first-up at Randwick but he was certainly hitting the line with gusto. If not Saturday then wait for next time and the time after that.

The Bet: Loveplanet to win

RACE 8: XXXX JANUARY CUP (2000m)

Overview: Mustajeer is a fascinating runner here. He happens to have the honour and distinction of being the only horse racing at Rosehill on the weekend with a triple figure benchmark and that has to count for something; trialled well too. Attorney was in the worst part of the track in the Summer Cup. A few horses loomed up in the lane where he was on the day and didn’t so hard to not give him a thumbs up on the run. Order Again was so unlucky in the same race it just wasn’t funny.

The Bet: Attorney each-way, quinella 3,4, Daily Double 1st leg (3), 2nd leg (2)

Zegalo has been good in his last two starts and can break through at Rosehill on Saturday. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 9: CHANDON HANDICAP (1800m)

Overview: Waller mare Niffler tasted defeat for the first time last start but she was runner-up so a long, long way off being disgraced. If anything, it proved that it doesn’t matter how much she steps in grade, she will run well. Barrier 2 and James McDonald - tick, tick. Zegalo has been the eye-catcher at the last two runs. Maybe he is a bit handier this time and doesn’t have as many to pass. Greek Hero is building up to something big.

The Bet: Zegalo to win, quinella 2,3, box trifecta 2,3,6,10

RACE 10: ROSEHILL BOWLING CLUB HANDICAP (1200m)

Overview: Eager to see what the flucs are vis-a-vie Invinciano, so too my top pick Matowatakpe who has been trialling up a storm himself and performs fresh. Invinciano was given a very solid hitout in a trial at Warwick Farm the other day, two weeks after a cracking second to Twitch in a heat there. First-up record isn’t flash but there looks to be some intent with him this time. Tycoonist had the race run to suit when he won at Randwick but you can’t blame him for that. He was dominant by any measure.

The Bet: Matowatakpe each-way, Invinciano each-way, quinella 2,9

Originally published as Rosehill races: Shayne O’Cass’ tips and extended preview