The Group 1 Golden Rose is one of the most highly-anticipated feature races of the Spring Carnival and we will get a great look at several key prospects in Saturday’s Listed Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens. Godolphin colt Plague Stone returned to the races for an easy win in the Rosebud Prelude (1000m) a fortnight ago and has subsequently opened the clear $2.60 favourite in The Rosebud betting. Plague Stone has only made five appearances at the races since debuting in November and resumed this year for a close second behind subsequent Group 1 winner Written By in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield. He failed to make an impression in the Group 1 Blue Diamond (1200m), before continued on to a credible fifth placing in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) before returning to the paddock. He’s drawn well amongst this small field and will have the notable advantage of Hugh Bowman in the saddle on Saturday. Oxford Tycoon has made a good impression during his short racing career so far and is the sole occupant of the second line of The Rosebud betting at $4.20. The son of Written Tycoon debuted for a credible third in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1100m) in February before tiring late when fifth in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m). Having trialled well in the lead-up to his spring campaign, Oxford Tycoon easily broke his maiden over 1100m at Wyong first-up this time, beating his rivals by more than five lengths. Blake Shinn will retain the ride and the horse should be fighting out the finish, particularly in taking 3.5kgs from Plague Stone. The Chris Waller-trained Charge has continued to receive the greatest share of attention in The Rosebud betting and is $10 into $7 at the time of publish. The Zoustar colt showed fair ability during his first two racing preparations but was unable to break through for a maiden win through a total of four starts. He trialled extremely well in the lead-up to his current campaign, however and took up the running at Warwick Farm on August 1st; extending in the straight to find the line close to four lengths ahead of his rivals. This is obviously a noticeable step up in class but he’ll have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up hit out and will carry only 53kgs. Both Legend Of Condor ($8) and Sandbar ($7.50) have been charged with carrying 59kgs, but there has been some interest for both in The Rosebud betting and they are interestingly the only other runners currently available at odds of less-than $10. Legend Of Condor is a proven first-up performer and found excellent form amongst black type company last time in, eventually ending his campaign second in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m). Sandbar won the Lonhro Plate most notably in autumn; progressing to second in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) before ending his campaign a credible eighth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m).
Plague Stone has opened favourite in The Rosebud betting. Photo: Steve Hart