2022 WJ McKell Cup Day Tips & Preview
Dr Drill will contest the McKell Cup. Photo: Steve Hart

2022 WJ McKell Cup Day Tips & Preview

The Listed WJ McKell Cup headlines another strong ten-race program at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The rail will be set out six metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.

You can find my complete 2022 McKell Cup Day Tips below.

ATC Bookmakers Recognition Day Handicap (1400m) – 11am
No. 1 Osipenko

Osipenko was an impressive winner on debut and can keep alive his unbeaten record at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Pierro colt showed ability at the trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the wall with a dominant win here earlier this month.

I’m only expecting him to improve for that effort, and he can win again.

Highway Handicap (1200m) – 11:35am
No. 16 Miss Kirribilli

Miss Kirribilli hasn’t returned a poor effort since debuting, and she can win this week’s Highway race.

The daughter of Your Song was a debut winner at Waggo back in April, and she was far from disgraced when second in Class 1 company second-up.

She responded with another lovely win out at Wagga last time, and she’s ready for a crack in town this week.

Midway Handicap (1500m) – 12:10pm
No. 1 French Bonnet

French Bonnet takes winning form into the third at Rosehill on Saturday and looks well placed to win again.

The Puissance De Lune mare has mixed her form a little this time, but her best efforts have been outstanding, and her performances here last time was one of the best of her career to date.

She’s rock-hard fit, gets some relief in the weights and will take beating.

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Furphy Handicap (1800m) – 12:45pm
No. 4 Karlstad

Karlstad was too good at the midweeks at his most recent appearance, and this looks a great opportunity for him to transition to Saturday metro company.

The Chris Waller-trained gelding finished third, beaten a length and a half in BM72 company when resuming, and he powered clear to win over 1550m last time out.

Fitter third-up, out to 1800m and under Hugh Bowman, he looks well placed to strike again.

Roger Norton Handicap (2000m) – 1:20pm
No. 8 Tinnie Winnie

Tinnie Winnie can continue her outstanding run of form through the fifth at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The daughter of So You Think went to the paddock after winning in BM64 company at Hawkesbury back in March, and picked up where she left off with a dominant win at Canterbury.

That performance was franked with another win in BM72 company last time out, and she can transition into Saturday company effectively in something like this.

NSW Bookmakers Co-Op Handicap (1100m) – 1:55pm
No. 14 Petulant

Petulant is another horse that hasn’t returned a poor effort in her career, and she can record another win at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The Starspangledbanner filly won two of three during her debut prep, finishing second on the other occasion, and she just found a decent one in Curtis Island a little too sharp when resuming this time.

She strips fitter, gets into this race well under William Pike and will take beating.

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Listed W.J. McKell Cup (2000m) – 2:30pm
No. 9 Welsh Legend

There is a case to be made for several gallopers in this year’s WJ McKell Cup field, and the value looks to lie with a horse like Welsh Legend.

Welsh Legend has been a great horse for the Waller stable throughout her career, and she has returned to the races is typically consistent form this time, winning at Flemington and placing in two other Saturday metro races.

She gets into this race well, will relish the conditions and we can have an each-way play at around the $11 mark.

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Warren Woodcock Senior Handicap (1500m) – 3:05pm
No. 7 Easifar

This is one of the most open races on the program and at publish, we’re faced with around $5 the field.

Easifar will take plenty of improvement into her second campaign start, and she looks a key winning chance at a lovely price ($10 at publish).

The Pride Of Dubai mare has returned some big efforts under the care of Chris Waller, and won the Listed Princess Stakes last year, most notably.

She kept her best work for last when first-up from a long break, and I think she’ll take big improvement for that hit-out.

Robert Patricks Handicap (1300m) – 3:45pm
No. 3 Lady Of Luxury

Lady Of Luxury is ready to win third-up at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Criterion mare raced home well to finish third, beaten a little more than a length at Rosehill when resuming this time, and she returned a similar performance to place behind the talented Niffler last time out.

Fitter third-up and back to 1300m, this looks the perfect race for her.

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Barry Cook Handicap (1300m) – 4:25pm
No. 3 Blaze A Trail

I’m going a Criterion double to end the day at Rosehill this week, and I have Blaze A Trail on top in the last.

Blaze A Trail went to the paddock after failing to beat a runner home here back in November, but he completed an ideal return with a smart win over the likes of Sig Positano at Caulfield last month.

He’ll relish a dry track and we can have an each-way play at around the $10 mark.