Sydney metro racing heads to Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
RACE 1
It would be unfair and unwise to compare Celestial Legend with Classique Legend beyond the fact that they are the same colour and have the same owner/same trainer. Classique Legend, you may recall, debuted like a world-beater one day on the Kensington track. Wow. As for Celestial Legend, he was pretty fantastic himself when a closing second to the $3 million sale-topper Kandsinky Abstract at the midweeks. Galano, a grandson of the Hong Kong Derby winner Elegant Fashion, has trialled up well and a desirable draw. Griff is overs at $26.
Bet: Celestial Legend to win.
RACE 2
Poseidon Ruler has been going great guns this preparation. Literally each one of his four runs has been better than the last. Take April 29 for example. He drew 15 of 16, was 14th at the turn yet finished fifth, four lengths off Wrathful, which makes that race better than most Midways. Mayrose finished third in the Wrathful Midway so kudos to her for holding her form after her $26 win in the Randwick Midway on April 15. Burning Need was huge first-up. Eye See Things is attractively weighted.
Bet: Poseidon Ruler to win.
RACE 3
Swift Charm is talented and untapped. The Brett Dodson-trained five-year-old has won three of his five starts and was deadset the run of the race in his two defeats. One thing about him is that when he wins, he wins like the proverbial ‘good horse’. This is his first real test but let’s just say, he’s done all his homework and is pretty smart. Antonio Giovanni used to call Rosehill home when he was with Chris Waller. This half-brother to Press Statement and Pressday is out at Gulgong these days. If something ambushes them late at big odds, it might be him.
Bet: Swift Charm to win, Antonio Giovanni to place.
Shalailed returns as a gelding.
RACE 4
Apparently, those closest to Battleton, and a few jockeys who have sat on him, have a favourable opinion of the son of Zoustar. At this point in time, he hasn’t reached any lofty heights but there have been glimpses. Runner-up to Mazu in the Brian Crowley, second to Kiss Sum in the Gunsynd, third in the Fred Best. That’s good form and the trial was a ripper. Shalailed is back as a gelding on the weekend. Very reliable. Robusto is set for his best campaign yet. The camp would have to be pleased with the first-up fifth to Flag of Honour.
Bet: Battleton each-way.
RACE 5
Tradition is a son of Frankel. Actually, he is in-bred 3×3 to Sadler’s Wells. ‘Dour’ is the word that comes to mind with this horse. He’s not slow by any means but from here on, we probably will only see his best when he gets to 2000m and more. You’d imagine he peaks here third-up. Smartawi won the MTC Guineas Prelude on April 23 then came out and won the actual Guineas there on May 5. Hard to find fault with a horse on a hat-trick but the wide draw and the big weight don’t make it easy. Get the impression Fun Sunday wants the 2000m now.
Bet: Tradition to win.
RACE 6
Peshmerga was foaled in Germany; that’s where our own Counterattack is these days. Peshmerga won on debut over 1900m at Chantilly in February 2022. Her other European win was in a Listed race in Germany. Fast forward to more recent times, the now Robert Quinn-trained mare trialled brilliantly prior to her ‘fading’ fourth here behind weekend rival Money From The Sky. Don’t think she will ‘fade’ this time. Vandelay Style is a genuine lightweight chance here from the ace draw.
Bet: Peshmerga to win, Vandelay Style to place.
RACE 7
Demarcay hasn’t set the world on fire in his three Australian runs, which, for the record are ‘7, 8 and a 9′. But I thought that there was at least some merit in all of them. Having watched him closely, it does seem clear he is just a rolled-gold 2400m horse. Waller has him fourth-up (fit) now, Brett Prebble (tick). Outlandos is getting punished for past performances with big weights. It can’t be easy for a horse to lump 60kg over a mile and a half. Still, he did it honourably at Gosford last start over 2100m. Credit Crunch will stay all day and is the ‘lightweight’chance’ IMO.
Bet: Demarcay to win, Credit Crunch to place.
Outlandos is better weighted for his assignment at Rosehill on Saturday.
RACE 8
Tony Be is not everyone’s cup of tea. It wouldn’t be going too far to say that he is rather one-dimensional. You could nearly say he was a tease. But, when races are run to suit him and he gets the perfectly-timed ride on a fair track, he can be quite barnstorming. Deficit was very good in those back-to-back runs at the Gold Coast on January 7; he picked up $345,000 when he won the TAB Wave. Loving the trials and loving him 1500m first-up at home. Mach Schnell beat two home first-up here but he went as well as most of those who finished in front of him.
Bet: Tony Be to win, quinella 13,19
RACE 9
Bois D’Argent came to Australia with some very good form in France — he was a Listed winner at Longchamp for one. The Annabel Neasham-trained grey picked up $71,500 at his first Australian start when an eye-catching third in the $500,000 Rosehill Cup. Third-up now, got to be peaking. Wicklow only won the Wagga Cup by an inch but he came from a mile back (as is his custom). Just needs that same ride, albeit in a stronger race this time. Navajo Peak has finished first or second at 11 of his 15 runs.
Bet: Bois D’Argent to win.
RACE 10
Note to self. Back Brett Prebble in the Jockeys Challenge. Anagain was kept safe in the betting around the $10 mark when she and Prebble crossed the line in second behind the noted muddie Cruel Summer in that 1200m Bm72 here on April 29. Always been handy and has some depth to her form. Miss Hellfire ran better than a 7th of 12 last start at Canterbury. Barrier 1 on Saturday is hugely significant. The best Vienna Princess would be on the podium.
Bet: Anagain to win., Brett Prebble to win the TAB Jockeys Challenge.