Ray Thomas’ Rosehill Inside Mail plus tips, quaddie picks: Wet’s a worry for Bjorn Baker’s Bonita Queen

Ray Thomas reveals his best bets and quaddie selections for Saturday’s 10-race card at Rosehill Gardens, where Bjorn Baker’s confidence has been dampened by the wet conditions.

Bjorn Baker is not sure how Bonita Queen will handle a heavy track at Rosehill on Saturday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Bjorn Baker is concerned flying machine Bonita Queen’s brilliant speed will be dulled by the rain-affected track conditions at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Bonita Queen, a runaway winner of her last two starts in very fast time, joins stablemate Shezanalister in the closer, the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1100m).

The Rosehill track rating dipped into the heavy 8 range on Friday which has left Baker in two minds about starting Bonita Queen.

• BET LIKE A PRO: Get expert tips from Racenet’s team of professional punters

“I am worried the track conditions will make the race a lot more demanding for Bonita Queen,’’ Baker said. “If the track stays in the heavy range I would be wary about running her.

“I would probably lean to running Shezanalister who handles heavy tracks and not Bonita Queen but we will see what the weather does and how the track comes up Saturday morning.’’

Baker confirmed consistent front-runner Amor Victorious would take his place in the Group 2 $300,000 Shannon Stakes (1500m).

• Why Amelia is the Jewel in the Golden Pendant

“Amor Victorious is definitely not out of this race,’’ Baker enthused.

“He is fitter after a couple of runs back, he has no weight (53kg) and the blinkers go on. He hasn’t raced on a heavy track before but he handles soft conditions and I’m confident he’s in the mix.’’

It’s already been an important week for the Baker stable with classy mare Stefi Magnetica earning a start in the $20 million The TAB Everest, while stablemate Overpass is on the verge of selection for the big race.

• Stefi Magnetica earns shot at $20m The Everest

“Stefi Magnetica has come through her run in The Shorts (second to I Am Me) in great order and she will have a barrier trial before The Everest,’’ Baker said.

“Overpass will trial again next Friday and I’ve got my fingers crossed he gets picked up for The Everest, he’s on the cusp of getting in.

“He will be racing on Everest Day, there’s the Sydney Stakes if he missed out, but I can’t be any happier with how he has come up this spring.’’

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ROSEHILL BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Alabama State $4.40-$4. Unique Ambition $15-$9 with a bet of $1000 e/w at $9/$3
Race 2: Due Calzini $4.60-$5-$4.60, Straight Fire $26-$9
Race 3: Matusalem $6-$3.80, Campaldino $6-$5, First Light $11-$9
Race 4: Mare Of Mt Buller $8-$6.50, Lauding $11-$8.50
Race 5: Ikasara $6-$4.20 after a bet of $1015 e/w at $4.80/$1.65, Bodyguard $4.80-$4.60
Race 6: Tavi Time $11-$9.50, Konsana $15-$10
Race 7: Semana $3.60-$2.70
Race 8: Broadsiding $3.20-3.50-$3.30 with a bet of $2000 at $3.30, Emirate $19-$13
Race 9: Celestial Legend $6-$5
Race 10: Pharari $3.60-$2.60, Tanglewood $26-$12

• Professional punter James Molony reveals his race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill on Saturday

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EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 1,2,4,5
Race 4: 8,9,11,12
Race 5: 1,3,6
Race 6: 5,6,8,12

QUADDIE
Race 7: 2,4,6,7
Race 8: 1,2,3,4
Race 9: 1,8,14
Race 10: 3,4,8,11

• Golden Rose, Manikato Stakes tips, betting strategies from Racenet, Punters experts

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PRICE CHECK
Broadsiding (race 8) has been Golden Rose favourite in fixed odds markets for some weeks and is firm at the top of betting around $3.30 after steady support including a bet of $2000 at $3.30. Ikasara (race 5) has been the big firmer in the Heritage Stakes with his odds slashed from $6 to $4.20 after a bet of $1015 each way at $4.80.

MARKET MOVERS: STABLEMATES HEAVILY BACKED

Two horses from a Victorian stable have been the subject of heavy support, backed from $10 into $3.90 and $71 into $17 respectively. Check out all the big bets for Saturday's racing. 👇https://t.co/2aVgI5YYia

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) September 27, 2024

• Clinton Payne’s Golden Rose tips, runner-by-runner form assessment

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TRIAL POINTERS
Bodyguard (race 5), winner of the Maribyrnong Trial and Blue Diamond Prelude last season, showed with a brilliant barrier trial effort he was ready to sprint well fresh for his three-year-old return in the Heritage Stakes. The Peter Snowden-trained Bodyguard was ridden with intent in the Rosehill 1030m heat and put more than six lengths on his chasing rivals as he accelerated away in the sprint to the finish.

The spring shaping nicely for Bodyguard (3c I Am Invincible x Tumooh) based on this trial.

$1.4million colt. Had two first-up runs for wins in stakes races each time.@mmsnippets@jmeharron@[e-mail]/VoBuVnf4qI

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) September 16, 2024

• Ray & Duff’s Rosehill tips for Saturday: ‘I think she just wins’

Broadsiding (race 8), who won four races in succession including two at Group 1 level to close out his two-year-old season, resumes in the Golden Rose but has looked in good shape in two recent barrier trials. The Godolphin colt was particularly impressive zooming home to finish second in a Hawkesbury heat behind Alicia Roma nearly two weeks ago. Broadsiding has the natural talent and fitness levels to make history and create history by winning the Golden Rose first-up from a spell.

Broadsiding 👀

The Group 1 winning @godolphin colt and Golden Rose favourite charges into second in a 1000m trial at @hawkesburyrc on Tuesday behind the @beermitchell trained Alicia Roma with Lucky Bay in third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/DnWICw0d4W

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 16, 2024

• Tropical Squall to bounce back in Golden Pendant

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SECTIONAL STARS
Unusual Legacy (race 4) was having his second run back from a spell and could not have been more impressive scoring easily at Rosehill over 1800m two weeks ago. He sprinted his final 600m in 33.51s with a closing 200m of 11.16s as he put his rivals to the sword.

Unusual Legacy with a big run takes the third at Rosehill!@[e-mail]/couzdV0EfJ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 14, 2024

• Import passed fit to race in NSW … but not Victoria

Linebacker (race 8) resumed in the Run To The Rose and was a clear last into the straight but he stayed close to the rails before sprinting home his final 600m in a fast 32.93s to finish an eye-catching fourth. Gifted colt from the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable who will be very competitive in the Golden Rose.

TRAFFIC WARDEN wins the Run To The Rose!

That's five of the last six editions of the 3yo Group 2 to @godolphin as @ZacLloydx guides the colt over the top of Anode with Storm Boy in third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/87CbIORz8z

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 14, 2024

• Godolphin colts battle for stud future in Golden Rose

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BEST BET
Unusual Legacy (race 4) has been improved by two runs from a spell and was particularly impressive winning here two weeks ago, producing fast closing sectionals as he raced clear of his rivals. This is a slightly stronger race but the 1900m suits and he has won third-up previously. The only unknown is the rain-affected conditions but he has plenty of upside and is the one to beat.

"He will only get bigger and stronger"

- @CRDuckworth on Unusual Legacy, also hear from @KPMcEvoy after the win at Rosehill today!@cwallerracingpic.twitter.com/RoEemJPYum

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 14, 2024

• Rosehill Turf Talk: $17 Heritage hope ‘a total forgive first-up’

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VALUE
First Light (race 3) is working his way back into winning form and was doing his best work on the line when fourth to Matusalem over the Rosehill 2400m course two weeks ago. He is the type of horse who gets better the deeper he goes into a preparation and after three runs back from a spell, he should be at his peak. First Light has scored three of his four career wins at 2400m and he is particularly effective on rain-affected going. At $9, he’s a good gamble.

Matusalem makes it two Rosehill wins in a row, and it's a @KPMcEvoy - @cwallerracing race-to-race double 👏 pic.twitter.com/HHLcxUUVnC

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 14, 2024

• Bodyguard ready to confirm his Everest credentials

Originally published as Ray Thomas’ Rosehill Inside Mail plus tips, quaddie picks: Wet’s a worry for Bjorn Baker’s Bonita Queen