Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Five to follow from McKell Cup day

Daily Telegraph racing expert Mitch Cohen has run the rule over all the action from Saturday’s Rosehill Gardens meeting.

Piggyback (red cap) is worth sticking with next start. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images.

Racing expert Mitch Cohen has analysed all the chances from Listed W J McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens and has found a few worth following.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

KINGSTON CHARM (6th, Race 1)

She didn’t get the clearest passage in the straight and was untested late when she looked to have plenty to offer. There is another Midway race over a mile in a fortnight that has her name on it.

SPYWIRE (2nd, Race 5)

Early signs indicate the gelding operation has done the trick with this gelding, which would have gone even closer had he got out earlier. Take nothing away from King’s Secret, he was excellent too.

King's Secret too strong in the fifth at Rosehill! @[e-mail]/SdmNr1iK8h

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 28, 2025

BEREZKA (4th, Race 5)

Just ended up too far back on the inside but made up good ground in the straight behind King’s Secret. She is building towards a win for sure.

PIGGYBACK (3rd, Race 8)

The Ciaron Maher-trained mare got caught in traffic in the home straight and was only able to build momentum late to finish third behind Misterkipchoge. She’s racing well and another win isn’t far away.

It's a tight finish at Rosehill, and Misterkipchoge on the inside gets the photo! 📸

A Rosehill double to @cwallerracing 🙌@jeanvovermeire@[e-mail]/9S1hs6Jt32

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 28, 2025

BELVEDERE BOYS (2nd, Race 9)

New import Elamaz’s win in the McKell Cup had plenty of merit first-up in Australia while this Matt Dunn-trained stayer surged home to just miss. He will be ready to win third-up.

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STEWARDS SAY

New Pharoah (Race 1): Reared when the gates opened and lost seven lengths at the start. He will be forced to trial to the satisfaction of stewards before racing again.

How Much Better (Race 1): Apprentice Anna Roper was suspended for careless riding after her mount caused Pretty Tavi to lose its rightful running after shifting in at the 1000m.

Vella’s Best (Race 5): Winona Costin was suspended for careless riding after shifting in on this galloper when insufficiently clear of Loafer, resulted in it being carried in onto Sovereign Hill.

Sir Artie (Race 6): Gave ground over the final 100m. He was found to be 1/5 lame in the near-foreleg post-race.

Step Aside (Race 6): Came under pressure at the 600m with jockey Ash Morgan indicating he laid out rounding the home turn and did not respond to riding. No abnormalities were found other than a superficial abrasion to the near-fore bumper.

Townsend (Race 9): Was found to be 1/5 lame in the off-foreleg.

Deprivation (Race 10): The gelding was a late scratching at 1.46pm after being fractious en route to the course and sustaining a haematoma to its hip.

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CRUNCH TIME

Red Rags To Bulls (Race 2): Near last on the turn, she rattled off a slick 33.70 seconds last 600m to win. All three of her closing splits of 11.61, 10.96 and 11.73 were the best of the race.

Changing Colours (Race 4): Only had one runner behind turning for home before finishing off with a race-best last 600m of 34 seconds. Her final furlong of 11.44 was the difference.

Change of scenery, change of result for Changing Colours!

She comes up from Melbourne to swoop them with Jeff Penza aboard 🔵 ⚪@cwallerracingpic.twitter.com/VxpmouAsoW

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 28, 2025

Elamaz (Race 9): Ran the best first three splits of the race to control the McKell Cup before running his last 600m in 34.76 seconds. Runner-up Belvedere Boys run home of 34.18 saw him just come up short.

Slinky (Race 10): The fastest last 600m of the meeting went to this Bjorn Baker-trained mare, which settled a clear last in the final event before rocketing home in 32.88 seconds.

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TRACK TALK

“I am quite taken by him. His demeanour was good, his action remarkable.” Jockey Josh Parr on McKell Cup winner Elamaz.

“I have been going to Brisbane and it has been a whitewash to be honest.” Parr after returning to form with a winning treble.

“I still think the best is yet to come, once we get him up over a bit further.” Bjorn Baker on Rosehill winner Puntin.

“We are just hanging in there…I’m hoping we can get to 100 but are going to struggle.” Baker again on his season pursuit of 100 metro winners.

“Autumn Glow, Lady Shenandoah and Aeliana have had good spells, and we will see how they come up before deciding on their spring programs.” Champion trainer Chris Waller’s star fillies have returned to work.

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THIS WEEK IN NSW RACING
Monday: Taree
Tuesday: Beaumont Newcastle
Wednesday: Warwick Farm
Thursday: Hawkesbury
Friday: Tamworth
Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Wyong, Nyngan, Cowra
Sunday: Grafton, Mudgee

Originally published as Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Five to follow from McKell Cup day