Robert Price give Cuban Royale a great chance to notch his hat-trick while Noble Soldier is ready to put his best foot forward
Father and Son training duo, Robert and Luke Price, have an in-form gelding primed to win again while another is ready to show his best.
Cuban Royale can continue his winning surge and Noble Soldier is capable of a form reversal at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
This is the prediction of trainer Robert Price as Cuban Royale chases a hat-trick of wins in the Furphy Handicap (1400m) and Noble Soldier lines up in the Fujitsu General Handicap (1200m).
Price, who trains in partnership with his son, Luke, said Cuban Royale has come through his win at Randwick last Saturday in very good order.
“When Cuban Royale gets an uninterrupted run he finds his best form,” Price said.
“At Kembla Grange first-up, he had that uninterrupted run to the finish and he found it again at Randwick the other day.
“He is well placed in this race at Rosehill and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t back up well as he has backed up well before. If we don’t run him on Saturday there is nothing for him in over a month.”
Noble Soldier was well beaten behind the brilliant I Am Me and Dehorned Unicorn in very fast time when resuming last month and both the winner and runner-up have won at their next starts to frank the form.
Price believes Noble Soldier’s Randwick run had some merit and there is a quiet confidence in the stable he run a much improved race.
“Luke and I and the horse’s owners were all happy with his first-up run,” Price said.
“They went ‘warp speed’ and the form around the winner is very good.
“Noble Soldier is down in the weights there will be genuine speed so he can definitely run a race.”
THE BEST BARRIERS
The best barriers at Rosehill Gardens for the last 3 years (in order of wins)
1100m: 3,8,1,2
1200m: 2,7,1,5
1400m: 5,4,6,2
1500m: 5,4,1,2
1800m: 2,3,4,5
2000m: 2,6,1,4
THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Our Boy Ollie $19-$14 after a bet of $350/$90 e/w at $17/$4.80
Race 2: Semana $6-$4.40-$4.20
Race 3: Passeggiata $5.50-$2.50-$2.40 after bets of $1,200 at $5.50, $600 at $4.80, $1,500/$1,000 e/w at $4.20/$1.80, $1,000 at $3.80, $1,000 at $3.70, $1,500 at $3.40, $10,000 at $2.90, $1,500 at $2.70 twice.
Race 4: Divine Breath $8.50-$6.50
Race 5: Festival Dancer $10-$6.50, Saigon $14-$10-$11, Ausbred Flirt $4.20-$3.10-$3 with bets of $1,200 at $4.20, $1,000 at $3.70, $800 at $3.50, $800 at $3.40
Race 6: Silent Agenda $21-$10
Race 7: Military Mission $11-$7, Mission Phoenix $10-$7.50
Race 8: No big bets or market movements of note
Race 9: Dr Evil $12-$9.50-$6.50 with bets of $300/$500 e/w at $9/$3, First Light $9-$7.50
Race 10: Super Pursuit $13-$6 with bets of $300 e/w at $12/$3.30, $1,000 at $9
EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 1,2,4,11
Race 4: 1,2,6
Race 5: 1,3,4,5
Race 6: 5,8,9
QUADDIE
Race 7: 1,2,3,12
Race 8: 2,3,11
Race 9: 1,2,3,4
Race 10: 5,6,7,9
PRICE CHECK
Unbeaten Passeggiata (race 3) has been the best backed runner on the Rosehill program, firming from $5.50 to $2.40 on TAB Fixed Odds after some big bets including $1,200 at $5.50, $1,500/$1,000 e/w at $4.20/$1.80, $1,000 at $3.80, $1,000 at $3.70, $1,500 at $3.40, $1,500 at $2.70 twice and a monster bet of $10,000 at $2.90.
TRIAL POINTERS
Wineglass Bay (race 2) will make his Australian debut at his new home track at Rosehill Gardens. Despite being an unknown commodity in this country, there has been significant market support for the Irish-bred gelding. That’s hardly surprising given his northern hemisphere record made up of five starts for a win, a second, one third and two fourths. Wineglass Bay wasn’t asked to do much in his Rosehill trial last month but would no doubt have pleased his trainer and mostly new ownership group bearing in mind his breeder, Ballyfinch Stud, kept a share.”
Narito (race 3) is a regally-bred gelding from the Chris Waller stable. Born and raised at Arrowfield Stud, Narito is a son of their outstanding resident sire, Maurice, and traces on a direct line to the celebrated broodmare jewel, Denise’s Joy. Narito earned something of a boom after winning his first two starts, both at the provincials and bearing all the hallmarks of a horse bound for better. Narito faces some stiff and untapped rivals when he resumes on Saturday but sent out some positive signs of his own when an unhurried third in a December 20 heat at Rosehill.
SECTIONAL STARS
Dalaalaat (race 4) strives to both break a sequence of bad luck and gather in some reward for effort at start three of what has been a so far lamentable campaign, none of it his own doing. His time may well come in Saturday’s Midway at Rosehill Gardens when he steps out to 1400m off the back of two eye-catching lead-in runs over 1300m and 1200m respectively. It is worth noting the half-brother to the multiple stakes-winning mare, Heatherly, has raced just once before over 1400m finishing runner-up.
Estadio Mestalla (race 8) is one of trainer Chris Waller’s 23 runners at the first Rosehill Gardens meeting of the new year. It stands to reason that Rosehill is Waller’s most successful track by wins, his current tally is 634. Import Estadio Mestalla is among that group thanks to his memorable win there at a rare midweeker back on November 16. The horse ran last at his subsequent start but with excuses. The grandson of Galileo won back his fans and reputation three weeks later with a Christmas Eve gift to his loyal supporters at Randwick.
BEST BET
Green Shadows (race 2) had a month between runs but was confidently backed into favouritism and was only narrowly beaten by the handy Kanazawa at Randwick. He is drawn to get the gun run from gate two and has won on soft going. Emerging colt with a lot in his favour. Ready to win.
VALUE BET
Bazooka (race 8) is backing up after finishing well for a first-up sixth behind Cuban Royale at Randwick last week. He didn’t have the best of luck in running but once he got clear galloping room he stretched out nicely late. He doesn’t win often but handles all track conditions, gets in well at the weights after the claim and is at generous double figure odds.
THE JUDGMENT
ROSEHILL GARDENS
Race 7: January Cup (2000m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “I found this a hard race to assess, a few different form lines come together. With the prospect of a soft track, I wonder if this sets up well for Spirit Ridge. I’d say he needed the run in The Ingham, but last start was much better, and he’s a great chance to be in the finish here. The barrier could be awkward, but if Dylan Gibbons can get him into his rhythm, he’s ready to peak. Aleas gets blinkers for the first time and is the fresher horse on the scene. He doesn’t mind a soft track and is a big player. Berdibek was huge last start, and a repeat has him in the money. She’s The Gift is a smart mare and shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Nearly half of these come through the Summer Cup which was a messy race in the straight and that’s a concern. In saying that I want to give Global Ausbred another chance as he was forced to work midfield in a very strongly run race. Loomed at the 250m but unsurprisingly knocked up late. Meets all but one of those from that race better at the weights but more importantly draws very soft here and they should roll along again. Edge off track no danger to him also.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Global Ausbred was trapped wide the entire 2000m last start and I think it will pay to forgive that effort. The start before he was a good winner at Randwick over the same distance and he will get a soft run in transit here from barrier 2. He goes on top from Berdibek who will be finishing hard late.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “The early money here was for Aleas $7-$6 who looks to target this race with the blinkers going on. Military Mission the next elect $9-$7.50. No real firm opinion for us here and think the market will be crucial late.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Spirit Ridge could be a nice each-way investment here. Is third-up for new trainer Annabel Neasham and enjoys soft going.”
Verdict: Aleas
Race 8: Rosehill Bowling Club Hcp (1500m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “I’m going a little wide here with Bazooka. He doesn’t win out of turn, but with no weight on his back and good barrier, he can run a cheeky race for mine. The distance is spot on second-up and he likes some give in the ground. On an each-way basis, he’ll do me. Estadio Mestalla is the deserved favourite, if he holds his form he’ll be in the finish, although he’s never raced on a soft track before. Star Sparks is a good prospect resuming, from Tulloch Lodge you know he’ll be ready to go. The two imports, Born With Wings and Tip Of The Spear are huge yard watches, both bring handy European middle-distance form.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “I have to be against Estadio Mestalla as both his wins here he has found the fence and basically never left it to win. I can’t see that happening from barrier 12 of 14 at this stage. Rather play very wide with a couple of ones right out of the market. Something on Savoury who has put in solid efforts at his last four starts and comes in well with the claim for Jenny Duggan.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “I thought the favourite Estadio Mestalla looked hard to beat. He ran them down on Christmas Eve and I liked the way he got stuck into his work late. He goes on top from Above and Beyond who will have to go back from barrier 17 but he can finish fast and is worth and each way ticket at $17.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Estadio Mestalla one we are happy to take on throughout the day. Impressive last start but had all favours in the run and does not get that here. Star Sparks has seen some money $7.50-$6.50 first up and a good move for High Court $20-$14. Will be putting the favourite in and hoping for a result here.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Most open affair of the day. I don’t mind former import Born With Wings who is first-up for Team Snowden. Should enjoy the sting out of the ground but is 1500m too short?”
Verdict: Estadio Mestalla
Race 9: Cleanaway Handicap (1800m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Dr Evil gets out to his preferred journey. The more rain the better for this guy, and from an inside barrier Josh Parr can have him where he’s happy, before letting him loose up the Rosehill straight. Third-up, fit, he’s ready to win. Mahagoni just has to overcome a wide barrier to be in the money here, he’s super consistent and this is his kind of race. Logan Street Lion has the big weight but gets all the favours from his draw. First Light ran well first up and will only come on from that.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “First Light was only nailed late first up when leading at Randwick. Will do better with a sit here at his second Australian campaign and stretching to 1800m. He rises to a benchmark 78 from a 72 but does drop 3.5kg and has already been placed twice here in this grade with similar weight. Best to find a spot early as this isn’t the greatest start at Rosehill very close to a bend early.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Naval Seal has been slightly disappointing this prep but I’m happy to play him each way here at the $9.50 mark. He has won this track/trip previously, Jay Ford can be positive on him from the inside barrier and he will only carry 54kg. He goes on top from his stablemate Logan Street Lion who showed positive signs last start and can go on with it here.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “A very even affair and one to go wide in the quaddie. Two runners here have been well backed here (with some deductions) in Dr Evil $12-$6.50 and Naval Seal $12-$8.50. Again, another race to watch the market and track conditions late.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Dr Evil is the only one to have attracted any early interest. You’ll get value for pretty much every runner in the race.”
Verdict: Dr Evil
Originally published as Robert Price give Cuban Royale a great chance to notch his hat-trick while Noble Soldier is ready to put his best foot forward
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