Saturday preview: Courier-Mail racing editor Nathan Exelby breaks down the big races at Rosehill on Saturday

THE Courier-Mail’s racing editor Nathan Exelby breaks down the big races at Rosehill on Saturday.

Nathan Exelby

2 min read

March 25, 2016 - 1:21PM

THE Courier-Mail’s racing editor Nathan Exelby breaks down the big races at Rosehill on Saturday.

Track: Good (4); Weather: Possible shower, 25C

R6: VINERY STUD STAKES

2000m, 3YOF G1, 2.50pm (Qld time)

In the run: Self Esteem, Believe and Sailing By the potential pacesetters. Jameka slots in for a lovely trail, as does Risque.

Take note: Risque was excellent in the Australian Guineas, beating home Jameka.

Did you know: Since 1989, nine VRC Oaks winners have won this race, including four in the past 10 years. Jameka was given a good sound out in a strong Rosehill Guineas last week and Ciaron Maher strikes at 24 per cent with horses backing up within eight days since 2012.

Early money: Big query on the Kiwi (they last won this in 2002) Valley Girl ($12). G1 WFA winner who was close up in the NZ Derby last start. Happy Hannah ($5.75) also has admirers.

Nathan’s tip: Jameka $3.60

Nathan’s danger: Risque $3.60

R7: THE BMW

2400m SWFA G1, 3.30pm

In the run: Pace looks muddling. Preferment can roll forward again. Mongolian Khan will be prominent. Rising Romance also handy.

Take note: Can be a knockout race, with Damien Oliver producing a couple of those results on Blutigeroo and Cedarberg. He rides Montaigne, who has a similar profile to 2004 winner Grand Zulu.

Damien Oliver hopes Montainge can cause another upset in The BMW. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Did you know: Preferment is attempting to join only Manighar, Makybe Diva and Octagonal as the only Australian Cup winners to take this in the past 40 years. Some question now as to whether Preferment is better at 2000m than he is over further. Find out here.

Early money: Mongolian Khan ($6.50) has more fans this week than last, having improved on the first-up flop. Preferment is out a touch from $3.20.

Nathan’s tip: Our Ivanhowe $4.60

Nathan’s danger: Preferment $3.30

R8: EMANCIPATION STAKES

1500m, F & M G2, 4.10pm

In the run: Solicit should cross without too many dramas. Badawiya and Skyline Blush won’t be far away.

Take note: Red-hot Blake Shinn takes over from Kathy O’Hara on Zanbagh, who has been good in two runs back from a break. Slight drop in class/pressure will suit her here. Query whether she wants further now, but showing plenty of zip for this stable.

Did you know: Badawiya was super impressive first-up and the Mick Price stable is firing at the moment, but she meets Solicit 5kg worse here than she would have in the Coolmore Classic. Solicit is clearly the weight horse in the race under these conditions.

Early money: Badawiya is rock solid at $4.60, but Solicit comfortably holding down favouritism.

Nathan’s tip: Zanbagh $7

Nathan’s danger: Solicit $2.80

Solicit will give rivals plenty to chase in the Emancipation Stakes. Picture: Simon Bullard

R9: DONCASTER PRELUDE

1500m, Qty Hcp G2, 4.50pm

In the run: Big field, but not much exposed pace. Cosmic Cube can cross to be handy and Snippets Land can also be prominent.

Take note: 12 of the 18 acceptors are 300+ days between wins. Chris Waller accepts with seven. Beaten Up trialled well and comes way back in class on his fresh run last prep. Magicool is interesting addition to the stable, too.

Did you know: Havana Cooler hasn’t raced below 1800m since October 2012. Showed some encouraging signs in first Aussie prep and John O’Shea has superb record with imports in their second Australian campaign. Recent trial suggests he’s going to be sharp enough to run a race at odds here.