Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday

Form expert Shayne O’Cass delves into the 10-race card for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, providing his race-by-race tips and analysis.

Form expert Shayne O’Cass analyses the 10-race card for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, providing his race-by-race tips and analysis.

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RACE 1: PETALUMA (BM72) 1200m

This is the highlight of the whole 10-race card. Six of the eight entries are last start winners, two of them are unbeaten, including Private Harry. Think about this; cumulative margin in two wins is 10 lengths and he went 50.77s for 900m at Newcastle then 1.02.31 for 1100m at Hawkesbury. Oh and he leapt from a Maiden to a Benchmark 64. That said, he has some competition here, beginning but not ending with Theblade who is razor sharp (pardon the pun) himself. Maybe the draws 2 versus 6, come into play?

Bet: Private Harry to win

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RACE 2: MIDWAY (BM72) 1500m

Justela had ‘next start’ written all over her when she ran fourth in a Rosehill Midway and sure enough she wins her home town Midway at Kembla two weeks later at $20. That’s hindsight, I am not claiming it but I am signing up to the bandwagon; this is eminently suitable and she’s obviously on an upward trajectory. Talking of ‘building’. Miss Hades looks to be that one in this race. She was runner-up to Justela last start; can turn the tables but not a given.

Bet: Justela to win, exacta 6 to beat 3

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Villasaurus wins the TAB Highway on Golden Eagle day!@G1TySchil | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/jrdJKNcZ8o

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 2, 2024

RACE 3: TAB HIGHWAY (C3) 1500m

Villasaurus came all the way from Albury to win at his first Highway attempt which is a feat that should not be easily dismissed. It was a pretty good Highway too when you take into account he beat Everido, Lambay and Mighty Murtle. Has won second-up, has won over a mile (this is 1500m) and of course he is one from one at Rosehill. As the saying goes, if you like Villasaurus, you have to like Everido. In Summer is an up and comer.

Bet: Villasuarus to win

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RACE 4: PRECISE AIR (BM72) 1800m

Sonofdec is racing himself into peak fitness and form. This will be his fifth run this preparation (the last one ended in the Queensland Derby) and each one has been just that little but better than the last. His best is good enough, he just has to bring it on Saturday. Bestower was an absolute hard luck story in the Cessnock Cup at Newcastle last Sunday. She deserves one. Ortensia’s granddaughter, Gentileschi, is crying out for - and perfectly tuned for - 1800m.

Bet: Sonofec each-way, box trifecta 2, 3, 6, 8

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HOW CLOSE WAS THAT? 😲

Rezone gets the photo for @beau_mertens & @MickPriceRacingpic.twitter.com/oWQpX9FUrm

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 13, 2024

RACE 5: CANADIAN CLUB (BM72) 1500m

Rezone has the makings of a pretty good 2000m horse, if he isn’t already. He has the breeding and is in the right stable to get his opportunities over the next few seasons as a lightly-raced four-year-old. Long story short, I am saying ‘yes’, unless the market says ‘no’. Darling Downs is up and running and winning. He had a bit on them and a bit up the sleeve when he won last start. Ravello is ‘in’ okay now with the 3kg off and the draw just has to help. Fiddlers Green absolutely walked in first-up. Gee that was easy.

Bet: Rezone to win, quinella 4, 7

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RACE 6: TAB (BM78) 2000m

Here’s hoping that the Kenyada who finished fourth in the 2024 Adrian Knox steps forward here. This will be the Chris Waller-trained granddaughter of Shania Dane’s fourth run back; her first at home. I concede her form is a little inconclusive but we’ll know one way or the other after this one. Unlimited is a massive ‘watch’. Love the horse (and the trial) but don’t like this draw though. Bullets High gets the dream run.

Bet: Kenyada each-way, Unlimited each-way, duet 7, 11

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August Bloom does the punters proud at the short quote. @SnowdenRacing1@[e-mail]/HbOkwHHMhx

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 17, 2023

RACE 7: CAPTIVANT @ KIA ORA (BM78) 1300m

August Bloom just wins unless the barrier beats her. That’s my humble and bullish assessment of this admittedly competitive race. My reasoning centres on the sheer depth of form in front of and behind this sensationally well-bred daughter of More Than Ready out of a very good producing daughter of War Front. Oh, and what a trial. How Dare You put the writing on the wall when a fast closing fourth in the race won by Captain Amelia (who runs here too).

Bet: August Bloom to win, exacta 3 to beat 9

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RACE 8: JAMES SQUIRE (BM94) 1400m

Cotehele has the top equal topweight and a wide draw but is still very easy to like on a number of fronts. Firstly, he is down in class here after a somewhat eye-catching run in The Hunter. The son of Tavistock has run some good races in some stakes-races dating back to his two-year-old days. His Rosehill numbers are superb; he beat Democracy Manifest there one day. I maintain it was hard to make ground on Hunter Day, so I am also marking Ang Pow ‘up’ on his seventh to leader/winner, Uzziah.

Bet: Cotehele to win, quinella 1, 12

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Dehorned Unicorn is flying!

A peach from Sam Clipperton for @PrideRacing. pic.twitter.com/NSXtpGM7ao

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 31, 2022

RACE 9: TOYOTA FORKLIFTS (BM88) 1100m

Overall, Dehorned Unicorn has been pretty good for Mark Minervini in the seven starts under his new management. The son of Star Witness needs two things before he can win; a firm track and a genuine tempo. Unless the weather gurus have got it all wrong, he’ll get a reasonable surface on Saturday and they’ll run along; big time. Drops from 59kg to 52.5kg which can’t hurt. Boston Rocks is the market watch. Might be payday for Dollar Magic now from the alley, etc.

Bet: Dehorned Unicorn each-way

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RACE 10: ROSEHILL BOWLING CLUB (BM78)

Blazing Harry will take beating in The Gateway at Doomben on Saturday if he runs there instead of here. Not sure where Mickey’s Medal goes either, he’s paid up all over the place. Whichever of those pair runs here goes on top for me. If they are both out, Scorch comes in a few gates closer which can’t hurt and has two less rivals of course which will help. The Team Hawkes-trained half-brother to In Her Time showed speed and ticker to win first-up at Canterbury over 1250m. He’s won over 1300m at Sandown-Hillside so ticks that box also. Always saving a coin or two for Nosey Parker; he gets this run to suit.

Bet: Blazing Harry or Mickey’s Medal to win or if scratched Scorch to win and Nosey Parker each-way

Originally published as Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday