Judgment: Puccini, Red Tracer and Rain Affair hard to beat at Rosehill
LEADING trainers and bookmakers have their final say ahead of the Rosehill meeting, and the message is clear: Beware the mudlarks.
RACE 6: THE GALAXY (1100m)
Joe Pride (trainer) Rain Affair, Tiger Tees, See The World, Tiger Tees: “It’s a funny thing because I’ve normally got an opinion, and I don’t mind sharing my opinions, but I could make a case for all three horses. I wouldn’t put one above the other.’’
Anthony Cummings (trainer) Villa Verde: “I wasn’t surprised when she won first-up, she just ran up to her work. She’s a very talented filly. She’s trained on really well and I think she can handle the wet.’’
Glenn Munsie (TAB): “With the prospect of a very wet track I’m just looking for those who I think will get through it best.
“Temple Of Boom here for me. He is better suited in a handicap than wfa races it has been contesting lately and more importantly he is a duck. He has five wins and four placings from 11 starts on wet.
“Famous Seamus is an underrated galloper who went well first up at Randwick and can handle the going. They are two great chances right on double figures and represent value in an open race.’’
Grant Palmer (bookie): “I did not think I would be ever saying this again, but we give Rain Affair a great chance. He is third-up, the drop to 1100m is possibly what he needs and obviously the wet is a big plus. Suggest backing him.’’
Blake Johnston (bookie): “The Joe Pride-trained Rain Affair hasn’t been finishing off his races of late but gets conditions to suit in the Galaxy.
“He reverts to 1100m which will suit and has an outstanding record on rain affected tracks. He was brilliant when winning a trial on a slow track at Warwick Farm between his latest two runs. Looks well placed at the handicap conditions and will bounce back to form.’’
Tommy from Campbelltown (punter): “I must stick with Famous Seamus. He was unlucky last start. Temple of Boom and See The World are suited here while Bel Sprinter has a place chance at big odds.’’
Verdict: Rain Affair
RACE 7: GEORGE RYDER STAKES (1500m)
Guy Walter (trainer) Toydini, Streama: “Streams comes up every campaign, every season. It is hard to judge how Streama is going until she gets to the right distance but Rosehill suits her because it is a bit of an on-pace track and that is where Streama will be over 1500m.
“Toydini is in a similar position to Streama, two runs back from a spell and getting up to a more suitable distance now. He gets back in his races which is a little concern at Rosehill.’’
Trent Busuttin (trainer) El Roca: “I know some people feel the back-up didn’t help him into the Rosehill Guineas but he was as good as I could get him and he ran out of his skin in it.
“It was a super run and his work since tells me he has not gone backwards.”
Glenn Munsie (TAB): “I'm quite happy to look around favourite Red Tracer here against all sexes and in a 1500m Rosehill race, a course and distance she is yet to win at.
“Bonny mare Streama looks great value at her present price coming into this race at her third run in and finally getting a better barrier to enable her to receive a kinder run than she’s encountered lately. Wet is not a worry for her.
“Sacred Falls is a knob in the wet and his best career win was on a bog in the 2013 Doncaster. One run back from a spell in the Canterbury Stakes and has won second-up in the past.
“My Kingdom Of Fyfe can improve dramatically.’’
Grant Palmer (bookie): “El Roca looks the best value out of the main chances and has built data to suggest that he is now ready to beat the older horses. He will race on pace and the wet suits him better than most with the drop back from the Randwick mile to the much easier Rosehill 1500m perfect for his style and the conditions.’’
Blake Johnston (bookie): “The Chris Waller trained Red Tracer was excellent when finishing third in the Canterbury Stakes where she didn’t have the best of luck.
“She is possibly the best wet tracker in the country and should find the right spot just off the speed. She is definitely the one to beat with the absence of the two that beat her home in the Canterbury Stakes.’’
Tommy from Campbelltown (punter): “I’m going down the bottom with Red Tracer. She speaks for herself. Eurozone will run very well here while El Roca and Streama have chances too.’’
Verdict: Red Tracer
RACE 8: ROSEHILL GUINEAS (2000m)
Danny O’Brien (trainer) Shamus Award: “I think the horse that looks the most promising is Puccini from New Zealand. He’s been very dominant over there and the best New Zealand three-year-old is usually a pretty good horse.
“Shamus Award has come out of the Australian Cup really well and he seems to be in great order. I don’t think the change in direction will be an issue.”
John O’Shea (trainer) Savvy Nature: “This is his mark and I have always thought 2000m would be his go. Obviously his run in the Randwick Guineas wasn’t up to scratch. He worked well on Tuesday and he runs his best races at Rosehill.’’
Glenn Munsie (TAB): “I reckon our horses are fair at best so going with Puccini. Nice horse.
“Dissident is tough and honest. Teronado looks suited here and Atlante with blinkers can improve.’’
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Fitness and saving ground should play a huge role here so it is hard not to go past Shamus Award. He has the run at 2000m off a seriously run mile at Flemington which provides a rock-solid base with the inside draw a big positive.
“Tupac Amaru can improve sharply at huge odds.’’
Blake Johnston (bookie): “It was an unbelievable win by Puccini in the New Zealand Derby where he made a mid-race move from the back of the field and was still very strong on the line.
“His New Zealand form looks good through Atlante who has been competitive with the likes of Dissident and El Roca. Looks an outstanding colt who is sure to measure up.’’
Tommy from Campbelltown (punter): “Searching for value runners as the majority of these step to 2000m and strike a wet track. Tupac Amaru fits the bill on both counts here. Ran well in the Melbourne Spring and seemed a better chance on wet tracks than dry. His two runs in at unsuitable distances see him ready to give you as sight here at big odds.
“Queenslander Teronado gives the impression he will lap up the 2000m and does have wet-track experience. Savvy Nature can improve back to Rosehill where he has run well in the past.’’
Verdict: Puccini
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