Judgment: Rain Affair to shine as Prince Harada fights for crown

Bookmakers and trainers give their final say on the major feature races at Rosehill and Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Gai Waterhouse's staying import Fiorente will be hard to beat over 1600m at Moonee Valley.

BOOKMAKERS and trainers give their final say on the major feature races at Rosehill and Moonee Valley on Saturday.

RACE 5: SEBRING THEO MARKS STAKES (1400m)

Joe Pride (trainer) Rain Affair: "Rain Affair loves Rosehill and has only been beaten there once by the mighty Pierro (fourth in the Canterbury Stakes). I have a new `pilot' in Glyn Schofield and he has a good understanding of horses like Rain Affair - although I probably shouldn't compare him to other horses as he is a bit of an individual in that way. But the point is I think I have the right sort of rider for the horse I've got and for this race."

Rob Heathcote (trainer) Solzhenitsyn: "He can win - he ran brilliantly first-up down there (in the autumn) behind Pierro and More Joyous. the handicap conditions make it a bit tougher, and he needs to carry 58.5kg against proven horses first-up over 1400m but I'm not making excuses. Yes, he's good enough to win, he's got a good first-up record and had two solid trials in Queensland."

Glenn Munsie (TAB): "Rain Affair leads them easily, as per usual but it is still 1400m on a firm track which must be a worry. The question is who will get the run similar to Veyron, who ran him down at Warwick Farm. Looking at Solzhenitsyn resuming to be that runner here. Great first-up and unlike Rain Affair really appreciates the firm ground. Trialled recently in Brisbane to ready for this. Look for improvement from Centennial Park as he returns to his favourite racetrack where he has won six races."

Mark Morrissey (bookie): "The weather will play a role here with the favourite Rain Affair really wanting some cut out of the ground, will take plenty of catching but I want to go for Solzhenitsyn here at what looks very generous odds at around $7. The Brisbane visitor was arguably the run of the race when first up last time behind the likes of Pierro and More Joyous and if he can reproduce that effort will take a power of beating. Boban and Your Honour are rapidly improving gallopers that will get back from tricky barriers but are worth throwing in all exotics."

Tommy from Campbelltown (punter): "I am desperate to `pot' Rain Affair here. He had a gut buster last start but it's a weak field and there is rain forecast. That helps him. I am a punter at heart so going for value in Boban and Someday. Both should be suited by the fast pace and have chances. Solzhenitzyn is a class animal and always hard to hold off at the finish of a fast run race."

Verdict: Rain Affair

Steven Arnold sits aboard Prince Harada while Brian Baldwin and trainer Tony Vasil look on.

RACE 7: GOLDEN ROSE (1400m)

Chris Waller (trainer) Zoustar: "He was in a bit of a rough-house race first-up in the Run To The Rose and I don't like colts being in that situation. I gave him a `kill' on Monday. We let a horse go four lengths in front of him that wasn't up to his standard and he picked him up easily. I thought it was good to give a colt a bit of confidence. We do a lot of homework on our form but we've got Jimmy Cassidy with 35 years of experience and that's hard to knock back. He is as hungry as anyone and if he can save an inch here and there he'll be doing his best to do that."

Anthony Cummings (trainer) Drago, Cluster: "Drago has a turn of foot that puts him into contention at any distance. He is a classic-type of horse and runs up to his looks. Cluster is a lovely, relaxed horse and very capable across a range of distances. I'm glad he made the field - he is one of the best horses in the race."

Glenn Munsie (TAB): "A big field of three-year-olds with the betting headed by two Melbourne runners bringing fresh formlines to the race. Keen on Fast `N' Rocking, as he has had the Rosehill experience and attempts this race at his third run back from a break. Distance suits perfectly and really looks the one. Best horse to follow out of this has to be Drago and hoping still fresh enough to be there in a 1400m race. Always prepared to risk visiting horses having their first go here."

Mark Morrissey (bookie): "I have dissected the lead ups on many occasions and I have decided I want to steer clear of the Run To The Rose which leaves me going for the different form lines of Prince Harada and Fast 'N' Rocking with Drago the knockout if they go too hard up front. I think Prince Harada is one of the most exciting gallopers in the country, believing he is untapped and with any luck in running he could blow them away. The $5 he is likely to get out too could appear luxurious! Fast 'N' Rocking has come back a much better horse this time in while Drago is the staying 3yo that gets last shot at them."

Tommy from Campbelltown (punter): "Wow! What a race. A hundred chances but going with Prince Harada. I have him as a Group 1 horse and although this race is an afterthought, his class may get him home. Dissident, Sidestep and Eurozone head a host of other chances. Happy to leave out the maiden Cluster."

Verdict: Prince Harada

Gai Waterhouse's staying import Fiorente will be hard to beat over 1600m at Moonee Valley.

MOONEE VALLEY

RACE 8: DATO TAN CHIN NAM STAKES (1600m)

Gai Waterhouse (trainer) Fiorente: "I thought he should have run second in the Memsie Stakes if he wasn't `fluffing' about in the barriers. He would have been a lot closer in the run. He then got a check and was held up just as he was making his move into the race. This is a serious horse and I can't fault him."

Mark Kavanagh (trainer) Super Cool: "He's improved 'lovely' since his last start. We'll probably see him running on pretty strongly over the mile, but certainly he'll be better once he gets out to longer trips."

Glenn Munsie (TAB): "The top four in the market all contested the Memsie Stakes behind Atlantic Jewel and it was impossible to miss the runs of Fiorente and Super Cool. They are both second up so looking at Happy Trails with the advantage of one extra run under his belt. Won this race last year by kicking back to Green Moon and with hot speed on may just be the extra plus for him. Fiorente's Australian runs have all been very good and on those must be top pick. Raced without luck in the Memsie but may just need another one."

Mark Morrissey (bookie): "I'm very keen on Fiorente here and think that the blinkers going back on from a good draw see him a clear top pick. The first up run was just as good as Super Cool's yet for some reason they are marked very close in betting for this race. Fiorente is value and Super Cool is a lay at the $3.20 that is being offered around the traps. Desert Wizard is a horse with a big future and look for him later in the Spring as he is on a huge upward spiral."

Tommy from Campbelltown (punter): "Only two hopes for mine, Fiorente and Super Cool. Blinkers go back on Fiorente and should have run a clear second last start behind a champion. In a fast run race, too good for mine with The Power of Nash aboard. Super Cool will get the run of the race and is an ideal wfa horse who can quicken at any time. Great quinella."

Verdict: Fiorente