You can almost set your watch the the Sydney weather this time of year and we may be in for another bog track on Saturday. Never fear however, I’ve taken the weather into account and have come up with my best plays for Tancred Stakes Day at Rosehill.
The Todman Stakes seems the right form line heading into this contest and Bellevue Hill was only run down late by Yes Yes Yes in that race. That horse went on to run well in the Golden Slipper and the Pierro colt can kick start the day with a win in the first.
Was very good behind Red Cardinal in the Sky High Stakes on a heavy track last time out. That horse is a live chance in the Tancred this afternoon so I like those form lines.
Cossetot should be plenty fit for this contest and has been racing consistently in this grade. I have him mapped as being on the speed from a good barrier and he will give the favourite, Madison County something to run down.
Princess Posh was enormous late when winning the Newcastle Newmarket to beat Savatiano in the final bound. She also got through the heavy going well to storm home for third in the Coolmore Classic at this track and distance two weeks ago. I thought Invincible Gem was also worth a small each way bet in this as well.
Estijaab’s run behind Ball Of Muscle and Redzel was full of merit and she was not far away running fifth. She has handled rain effected going in the past however has never raced on a heavy track.
Verry Elleegant is a class animal and she looks the pick of a very talented bunch of three year old fillies. Her win in the Phar Lap was full of merit and it was good to see her get through the heavy going. She should be winning this and I have her going on to win the Oaks as well.
Very tough to back against Avilius in the feature race of the afternoon. His win in the Ranvet Stakes last Saturday was very dominant and he sprinted very quickly when asked for an effort. his resume since arriving in Australian is phenomenal and this is far from the best quality Tancred Stakes ever assembled. he is short but I think he has the measure of this lot.
Mask Of Time showed an enormous amount of fight in the latter stages of the Group 2 Ajax Stakes at this track and distance last start to run a very close second. It took a good one in Fifty Stars to beat him that day and he is the horse to beat in the Doncaster for mine. He loves the heavy going and if he can pinch some cheap ones in front, he will be tough to get passed again.
Mahalangur was very impressive first-up chasing Star of the Seas and I think the lightly raced four year old has a bright future. He gets in well at the weights here and he looks well placed. I think he will progress to a better grade of racing than this.