The James Cummings-trained Spacewalk and two-year-old Steel City have been heavily backed
Punters were quick off the mark to back the James Cummings-trained Spacewalk to make a winning return to racing at Rosehill on Saturday.
Spacewalk and Steel City have attracted plenty of support from TAB Fixed Odds punters going into the Rosehill Gardens meeting on Saturday.
“When markets opened on Wednesday, Spacewalk was the first horse backed,” TAB spokesman Andrew Georgiou said.
“We wrote a lot of big bets against him in the first 20 minutes of betting and since then, although the money has not been as strong, we have had steady stream of bets for the horse.
“Steel City is now in the red and is carrying big money. The punters were quick to jump on the $2.80 she opened and it has been solid support for her all week.’
Godolphin three-year-old Spacewalk resumes in the Kia Ora Captivant Handicap (1100m) where he clashes with the in-form Dehorned Unicorn.
But if the market moves are anything to go by, this sprint is a one-horse race with Spacewalk commanding most bets.
Spacewalk opened at $3.70 but he has firmed into $2.40 after some big bets including $2,000 at $3.70 and $1,365 at $3.20.
The money keeps coming for the James Cummings-trained Spacewalk who has firmed into $2.20 favouritism while Dehorned Unicorn has eased to $3.40.
First starter Steel City from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable dominates betting for the Ned Australian Whisky Handicap (1100m).
Steel City has been the best backed runner on the Rosehill program and has firmed from $2.80 into $1.90 after a wave of support including bets of $2,000 at $2.80, $1,000 at $2,60, $2,500 at $2.50 and $1,160 at $2.50.
The consistent support for Steel City has resulted in the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Red Resistance easing from $4 out to $4.80.
THE BEST BARRIERS
The best barriers at Rosehill Gardens for the last 3 years (in order of wins)
1100m: 3,8,1,2
1200m: 2,7,1,3
1300m: 2,3,9,1
1350m: 3,2,1,6
1500m: 5,1,3,2
2000m: 2,6,1,4
THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Red Resistance $6.50-$4.80, Steel City $2.80-$2.30-$2 after bets of $2,000 at $2.80, $1,000 at $2.60, $2,500 at $2.50, $1,150 at $2.50, $500 at $2.50 twice, $500 at $2.30 multiple times
Race 2: Kalino $3.30-$2.60 with bets of $1,000 at $3, $1,100 at $2.90, $1,112 at $2.80
Race 3: King Of Spades $5-$3.20 with a bet of $500 at $4.40, Evocator $8-$6-$7
Race 4: Contributingfactor $6.50-$7-$4.40-$4.80 with bets of $500 at $7, $500 at $6, $2,000 at $5.50, $1,000 at $4.80, $1,000 at $4.60, Ringmaster $8.50-$7 with bets of $400 at $8, $400 at $6
Race 5: Regal Pom $16-$8 after bets of $500 at $13, $300/$200 e/w at $13/$3.60, Royal Merchant $4.80-$3.90
Race 6: Dalaalaat $17-$11-$7 with bets of $300 e/w at $16/$4.60, $600 at $11, $505 at $7, Sawrey $17-$13-$14, Compassionate $12-$9.50-$10
Race 7: Spacewalk $3.70-$2.80-$2.40 with bets of $2,000 at $3.70, $500 at $3.70, $800 at $3.50, $1,365 at $3.20
Race 8: Saigon $6-$5 with a $400 wager at $6
Race 9: Tony Be $11-$7-$6.50, Touristic $16-$17-$7-$4.60 after bets of $4,000 at $17, $1,000 at $14
Race 10: Snapped $4.20-$3-$2.50 after bets of $1,500 at $3.60, $1,500 at $3.70, $1,200 at $3.50, $800 at $3.10
EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 1,4,6,10
Race 4: 1,3,8,11
Race 5: 5,7,9
Race 6: 1,2,5,12
QUADDIE
Race 7: 4,7,8
Race 8: 1,2,3,6
Race 9: 3,9,10
Race 10: 1,3,10
PRICE CHECK
Touristic (race 9) was way over the odds when as much as $17 was bet about him earlier in the week but he’s into $4.60 favourite now after steady support. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained import has run encouraging races at both his Australian starts and he’s suited getting to 2000m.
TRIAL POINTERS
Red Resistance (race 1) is a Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt by 2021/22 Champion First Season Sire, Russian Revolution, the same sire as the co-trainer’s now $7 Blue Diamond Stakes second favourite - The Instructor who was hugely impressive winning on debut at Pakenham on Thursday night. As for Red Resistance, he has a Victorian connection himself being out the 2016 Group 2 MRC Rubiton Stakes winner, Heatherly. Red Resistance is primed for his weekend assignment on the score of two outstanding trials last month.
Spacewalk (race 7) has had racing’s ultimate gear change having been gelded since his last start (neck) second in the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes at Flemington on September 19. The James Cummings trained-son of Exosphere has run in number stakes races in his eight starts and performed well in most. Spacewalk’s 2023 campaign kicks off against older horses at Rosehill on Saturday but his recent trial win at Warwick Farm indicates that he meets the challenge in great shape,
SECTIONAL STARS
Zaru (race 3) has become something of a frequent flyer when it comes to TAB Highways. The Taree trained son of Yes Yes Yes’ sire, Rubick, has contested six so far registering a win and two placings among them. For the record, that win was here at Rosehill and with Saturday’s jockey Sam Clipperton in the saddle. Saturday marks the first time the gelding has been past 1400m but everything suggests that he is looking for the extra distance now after his closing sixth at Randwick on New Year’s Eve over 1400m.
Soami (race 2) is a well-bred gelding from the in-form Davis Pfeiffer yard with a commendable strike-rate of six wins and 10 placings from 35 starts. One wonders how many of those placings could have been converted into wins had the son of So You Think had luck in running and tempo to suit his barnstorming style of racing. Soami turned in one of those now typical performances as recently as New Year’s Eve at Randwick where he came from 10th of 11 at the turn to be beaten a head in the 1200m Benchmark 78. His last 1200m run at Rosehill was a neck third to Vrenelli and Rainbow Connection.
BEST BET
Oakfield Duke (race 6) shaped promisingly first-up when he chased the smart Garrison throughout and held his ground to run third at Randwick. At his previous race preparation, Oakfield Duke had a similar placing on debut then reeled off four consecutive wins. Promising sprinter, carries weight well and drawn to get all the favours. Ready to win.
VALUE BET
Ringmaster (race 4) resumed with an impressive win at Canterbury on New Year’s Day. After a spring campaign where he struggled on wet tracks, Ringmaster appreciated getting back on top of the ground. Talented sprinter who can handle the class rise and is good value around $7.
THE JUDGMENT
Rosehill
Race 7: Kia Ora Captivant Hcp (1100m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Trainer Joe Pride has a strong hand and I’ve been really impressed with the recent trials of Mariamia. She’s already proven she can mix it in Group company, and from a good draw I think her class takes her a long way. Spacewalk has been gelded and his recent trial says he’s ready to go. He’s a big lump of a lad and will take running down. Dehorned Unicorn is super fit and at the top of his game, Midwest and Super Pursuit at bigger odds are chances.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Exciting horse returning in Spacewalk. He comes back as a gelding and has been really thrown into the deep end off the back of a maiden win at Canterbury. Runs against own age in Group and Listed company all strong. Lost last start on protest and that was in Listed company. Well in with 53kg off a nice trial.”‘
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Spacewalk threw the race away first up last prep after leading in the straight and then lost on protest down in Melbourne in the Poseidon Stakes. He gets his chance to redeem himself here and his trial on the 3rd of January which he won when eased down suggests he is ready to rock and roll.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Spacewalk’s trialled up enormous and being gelded this preparation, we should see the best of him. Brings proper form from the spring and should have won first up last preparation. Market says he’s ready to go ($2.70-$2.20) and one we’re keeping safe.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Spacewalk was the first horse backed in this when markets opened Wednesday. Has been heavily tried. Love the Buenos Noches form from last preparation.”
Verdict: Spacewalk
Gold Coast
Race 7: Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “What an open race this is. I’ve changed my mind a few times this week but have settled on the local filly Skirt The Law as the horse to beat. Two starts for two wins, one of them importantly at 1200m, she has drawn the perfect barrier and will be very hard to beat. The big Sydney stables will be breathing down her neck. I’m a massive fan of Summer Loving and she’ll be hitting the line hard. The colts Emperor Of Japan and Sovereign Fund have to be serious players, while there are plenty to tell you Empress Of Wonder is the horse to beat. What a race, good luck!”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “I thought Summer Loving was well over the odds here at $21. Super effort at his first race start in the Golden Gift behind Barber finishing just off Infatuation. She had six weeks off going into Wyong Magic Millions and that track isn’t her cup of tea. Blinkers have gone on since and will relish a stack of speed on here.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Winning form is good form and this Skirt The Law has won both her starts by big margins. She pings the gates and if she does the same here, she will lead them for a very long way and give them something to catch. Has drawn well in barrier 4 and I expect her to be fighting out the finish.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Good edition of the two-year-old and looks a very even affair. Empire Of Japan I think deserves favouritism and you’re getting a good price to find out at $5. We suspect he starts clear favourite. Empress Of Wonder I want to have on my side also after two very good runs to start her career. Can charge late if the swoopers are in play. Skirt The Law the best supported runner with us early $9-$7.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “I like the way Empire Of Japan finished off last start on a day that didn’t really suit backmarkers. Is carrying plenty of big money here. Skirt the Law has halved in price.”
Verdict: Empire Of Japan
Race 8: Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1425m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “I think Russian Conquest probably needed the run at Gosford first up and she’ll really fire here. A potentially sticky draw can be offset by a good James McDonald ride, and I think she’ll be too good. How do you knock the local gelding Yellow Brick! He’s won 5 from 6, will put himself on speed from the inside barrier, and has to be in the finish. Tijuana is first up but going on a recent Gold Coast trial looks forward enough to feature. Green Shadows is so consistent and looks big odds to me.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Yellow Brick has been a local revelation winning all but one of his six local starts and that was on a Heavy 8 first up. Resumed off a nine-week break to win against older horses in the King Of The Mountain at Toowoomba sitting on speed. Defeated Soothsayer two runs back giving it weight and it has won 3 since.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “I loved the way Russian Conquest hit the line first up in the Listed Gosford Guineas and I think she will take improvement from that effort. She only has to carry 54kg and James McDonald takes the ride. He should be able to slot in midfield and her turn of foot should see her finish over the top of them.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Yellow Brick is one we are happy to oppose as there looks good pressure from his outside. Russian Conquest looks to set up better second-up, out in trip and with James McDonald going aboard. She is the way I would lean. The two of them dominate the betting so far accounting for over 75% of money invested on the race.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Very open outside the two favourites. I don’t mind giving Stroll another chance. Did knock off boom galloper Chinny Boom two starts back.”
Verdict: Russian Conquest
Originally published as The James Cummings-trained Spacewalk and two-year-old Steel City have been heavily backed
Rain only concern for Moody filly at Flemington
Talented filly Eneeza has one box left to tick this spring when she begins her campaign in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Sargent buoyed by Sea’s Group 1 potential
With one eye on Group 1 goals later this spring, trainer John Sargent is expecting China Sea to lay down a marker in Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Dulcify Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
Randwick Turf Talk for Saturday: Mitch’s moral ‘just wins’
Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass debate the chances in all the big races at Royal Randwick on Saturday, where Mitch has a moral on a day featuring three Group 1s and a Premiere sprint.