The 2021 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival is almost upon as we look ahead to a massive day of racing at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Group 2 Expressway Stakes headlines the nine-race card with several familiar names like Ole Kirk, Savatiano and Kolding stepping out in the feature.
We’ve analysed each and every field and our best bets can be found below!
Toro Toro stuck on well for third last time out over the 1200m at Randwick after jumping awkwardly before settling on the speed.
Tom Sherry’s apprentice claim has been put to good use and the pair are likely to make their own luck up front if they can offset the wide draw.
Proven Class is another one suited to the wide gate.
She swooped in late for second over the track and trip here a fortnight ago and can go one better this time with a kg off.
The mare by Smart Missile likes racing with some sting out of the track, a welcome sign with the chance of rain about.
Mallory returns to the races for her second career start after finishing runner-up to the impressive Enthaar in last year’s Gimcrack Stakes over the 1000m at Randwick.
Jason Collett sticks aboard and there’s certainly lots to like about their chances following a decent trial two weeks ago at this venue.
Vianello won well on debut at Newcastle over shorter and showed a real turn of foot in the closing stages when third on Boxing Day over this same trip at Randwick.
The Godolphin filly looked in great order during last week’s hit-out and she’s likely to track the speed with Kerrin McEvoy booked for the first time.
Total Babe is another who impressed in a recent trial beating home She’s All Class, who went on to grab a place in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic a fortnight ago.
That load pf form is tough to knock, especially considering she ran third in the aforementioned Enthaar race back in October.
Tim Clark has been in strong form of late and they should be settling somewhere towards the front.
Good race between the 3YO’s with a case to be made for more than a handful.
Home Affairs has opened the favourite following a comfortable two-length trial win a couple of weeks ago. He hinted at something special kicking clear in the closing stages and looks up to this with James McDonald booked to ride.
Construct has made only the one start to date, but it was a good one finishing second to the impressive Shaquero in the Group 3 Breeders Plate last year.
The son of I Am Invincible has trialled just as impressively in the leadup to this and is a major play from the low draw.
Ready Availabull is next best at odds. He won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at Ballarat on debut and was a recent Randwick trial winner. The wide draw looks the only query.
Vadiyann has been charged with the top weight coming off a narrow second last start over the track and distance behind Saturday’s rival Harpo Marx.
He led for most of the way that day and was unlucky to be gunned down right on the line, so it’s likely we see Sam Clipperton employ similar tactics.
Word For Word is better than her last start suggests when ninth over the 1800m third-up from a spell.
She just missed out over the mile two runs back and there’s plenty to suggest she wants further now.
The mare by So You Think won over this track and trip to close out her winter prep and has drawn plenty of favours here with James McDonald steering. She’s capable of bouncing back and is worth a look at odds.
No. 2 Word For Word
Oscar Zulu strips fitter for his second-up assignment when third at Eagle Farm in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate.
The three-year-old kept finding in the late stages of that race and he’ll only find this easier down in class from a much kinder barrier.
Stablemate Starla has found the placings in each of her four runs this time in work and is well-deserving of another win.
She hasn’t carried 60kg before but can’t be underestimated with James McDonald in the saddle for the first time.
Dual acceptor Ulysses is racing on the short backup after finishing runner-up to Le Lude over this same trip at Randwick last week.
He’s placed before when racing on short rest and you can almost bank on another honest performance after the way he hit the line last week.
Juventus finished second to Ulysses last time out and meets him slightly better at the weights for a second crack.
The blinkers go on this time from the wide draw and the fact Hugh Bowman is back in the saddle can only be seen as a plus.
Canasta raced on speed first-up where he finished off for fifth over a touch shorter.
He’s a proven second-up performer and looks the rightful favourite in this field with a few scratchings expected.
Last year’s winner Standout is back to defend his crown and he has to be respected in this small field with a solid first-up record to his name.
Savatiano resumes from a spell after winning the Group 2 Hot Danish at this venue last year.
The Street Cry mare has won five of her eight starts fresh and gets the added benefit of no weight and a low draw in her favour.
Ole Kirk is as dangerous as they come and it is no surprise to find him shortening in the market.
The Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas winner has found the money in seven of his eight career starts, while he also clocked the fastest final 600m split over this track and trip in last year’s Run to the Rose.
Tommy Berry rode three winners at Randwick last Saturday and continued that strong form at Warwick Farm earlier in the week. He knows this horse inside and out and looks tough to beat from the inside draw.
Difficult to get a feel for this race with Ulysses and Starspanged Rodeo accepting earlier in the day.
If Ulysses winds up here, I think he’ll be hard to beat, but if not, it does look a nice race for Frosty Rocks in his return to Sydney.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding was far from disgraced in the Magic Millions Open on the Gold Coast running on for fourth over further.
He’s found the money in both starts over this track and distance previously and the step back to the 1500m looks a big tick.
Masked Crusader returns to the races hoping to reward punters’ patience after a luckless Spring prep.
He won his trial well a fortnight ago and tends to do his best racing fresh, but whether he needs the run remains to be seen.
Big Parade scored by three lengths over this track and trip in a much easier race two runs back.
He doesn’t win out of turn, but his last start third to King Of Hastings reads well for this despite the wide draw.
Mo’s Crown is capable if James McDonald can offset the awkward gate. He’s been the model of consistency over the last 12 months and absolutely loves the 1200m.