The Judgement: Experts have their say on the McKell Cup, Stayers Cup at Rosehill and Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm

Racing editor Ray Thomas and his panel of experts discuss the two feature Cup races from Rosehill Gardens and the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara

Ray Thomas and his panel of experts dissect the features races on the big 11 race card at Rosehill Gardens and the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on Saturday

THE JUDGEMENT

ROSEHILL GARDENS

Race 7: WJ McKell (2000m)

Rohan Welsh (TAB): “Waterford has been heavily backed with TAB after going up at $4.40 with around 45% of the money and twice that of favourite Golden Path. They’re the only two punters are after heading into race day.’’

Glenn Munsie (Punter): “Looks to be little or no speed here for a 2000m event so going really wide with the SA visitor in Danish Fortune. Battled on very well off a solid speed behind Ruby Flyer at Randwick when jumping from 1050m to 1600m. Very good wet tracker which is a huge bonus here. Definitely worthy of a speck at $21 on offer.’’

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Not much speed on paper and I believe that Baby Rider will be able to control the race from the front and take plenty of running down.’’

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Punters happy to play at the pointy end of the market here with Golden Path ($3.50-$2.90) and Waterford ($3.70-$3.40) both well supported. Super Strike the one they have nibbled at a price $29-$17. Can’t write a ticket for anything else.’’

Blake Johnston (The Leg Up): “Waterford had no luck in the Scone Cup two back and then was a forgive run settling too far back last time out. He was doing his best work through the line and looks ready for the extra trip now. His best form is at Rosehill and we can expect him to hit back.’’

Verdict: Waterford

Well cheers to that!

Little Cointreau swoops on them to take the second-last at Canterbury!@aus_turf_club@[e-mail]/Fkkd8lV0Gw

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 29, 2024

Race 8: Racing For Good Hcp (1400m)

Rohan Welsh (TAB): “Little Cointreau had taken strong early money to be $15 into $12 and second best backed with 19% of TAB outlays, before a slight drift Friday. Pure Alpha holds around 20% and Elouyou 15%. Silvanito’s had a trim but it’s fairly spread outside of that.’’

Glenn Munsie (Punter): “Silvanito’s last two starts have really taken my eye and I can see him settling closer in the run today than last start when forced to be negative from the outside draw. Previous effort at Scone solid enough in what has turned out to be a stellar form race and at least he goes into this carrying Saturday form rather than midweek. Claim a plus.’’

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Tough race with some promising types engaged. Thought Silvanto could run well here from a nice draw with apprentice rider engaged to take some weight off.’’

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Elouyou has been the best supported runner with us and very solid around that 7/2 mark. Flying for Scott Cameron and could take catching on the bunny but we’re prepared to lay it. Tip around town for Fire Tribe which has halved in price $41-$21 off the back of some smart money. Silvanito the one for me and cuddling slightly.’’

Blake Johnston (The Leg Up): “Silvanito needed a bit more room in a strong form race behind Eldon Boy and then was specked in the market when hitting the line well with the wide draw against. He can settle closer to the lead speed here and gets the claim for Bailey Wheeler.’’

Verdict: Silvanito

BELLA NIPOTINA WINS THE DOOMBEN 10,000!

In a cracking finish, she defeats the favourite I Wish I Win right on the line!

What a mare she is, and now takes her earnings closer to $10 million 👏 pic.twitter.com/Rt25A4uCK5

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 18, 2024

EAGLE FARM

Race 8: Tatt’s Tiara (1400m)

Rohan Welsh (TAB): “Bella Nipotina is best backed as expected with over a third of investments. C’est Maguire, Opal Ridge are still popular with TAB punters while Roll On High is the big mover having been slashed from $21 into $11. There has also been significant each-way money for Semana who since being pushed out to double figures.’’

Glenn Munsie (Punter): “Big field with rail out so I just have to look at something who will get the cheapest run in transit. Semana drew the carpark in the Stradbroke when coming off an eight week break along with the fact she wasn’t brilliant away forcing her wide throughout. That run under her belt with a cleaner getaway can see her much more prominent in the run and on her placings in the Coolmore and Queen Of The Turf, which are traditionally much deeper than this, sees her ready to improve.’’

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Hard to look away from Bella Nipotina here but too short for me. Want to support Semana here each way, back wide then wider in the Stradbroke now draws better maps well. Her Autumn form was super.’’

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Bella Nipotina went $2.60-$2.80 post draw but crunched again in the past 24 hours by the punters and now $2.20. Happy to lay her. C’est Magique was loved by the market first up and she duly saluted. If she repeats that I think she just about wins but sometimes hard to trust Waller second up. Lekvarte and Coco Jamboo the best roughies in the race for me.’’

Blake Johnston (The Leg Up): “Bella Nipotina is the class runner of the race and she’s very well suited under the set weights conditions of the race. She gave weight to all in the Stradbroke and was only outgunned late by a lightly raced three-year-old on the up. She has to overcome to wide draw but that’s the only reason why we’re getting black odds.’’

Verdict: Bella Nipotina

Originally published as The Judgement: Experts have their say on the McKell Cup, Stayers Cup at Rosehill and Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm