Early favourite Semana waiting on start in capacity Winter Challenge field

A capacity field has accepted for the Winter Challenge at Rosehill Gardens with the favourite needing a scratching to gain a start.

Semana needs a scratching to make the Winter Challenge field. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Well-backed early favourite Semana is sweating on a start in Saturday’s $160,000 Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) after Sydney’s final feature race of the season drew a capacity field at Rosehill Gardens.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper has been the subject of an early betting move, shortening $6 into $4.20 favouritism with TAB since markets opened but is the first of five emergencies.

Semana was a last-start winner of the Rosehill 1400m and could provide apprentice Dylan Gibbons with another import chance to add to his apprentice premiership tally as he looks to fight off title rival Zac Lloyd.

Lloyd is assured of a ride on leading chance Barbie’s Fox ($5.50) with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Resonator drifting $4 out to $4.40.

Barbie's Fox is coming to Sydney to chase a stakes breakthrough. Picture: Leonie Grbic-Racing Photos via Getty Images

Chris Waller has accepted with five runners for the Winter Challenge, including last-start Brazilian Group 1 winner Iene Fortune ($41).

Iene Fortune was last seen winning the Group 1 Gran Premio Jockey Club de Sao Paulo at Cidade Jardim Racecourse in Brazil on October 9, 2021.

Waller also has Polly Grey ($51), Bonny Ezra ($16), Longvillers ($7.50) and Brookspire ($15).

Kris Lees’ Acquitted ($7.50), Annabel Neasham’s Sibaaq ($10) and the Nathan Doyle-trained Norwegian Bliss ($13) add further weight to the stakes field.

The Winter Challenge program is bolstered by the running of the July Sprint, where last-start winner Omni Man ($2.70) will attempt to make it two victories in seven days.

Originally published as Early favourite Semana waiting on start in capacity Winter Challenge field