The Listed January Cup headlines another quality ten-race program at Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The generally overcast conditions in the greater Sydney metropolitan area this week have seen the track rated in the Soft 5 range (at publish), while the rail will be left in the true position around the entire course.
You can find my complete 2023 January Cup Day Tips below.
Highway races are Pokerjack’s bread and butter, and he’s the one for me in the first at Rosehill this week.
The Casino Prince gelding has won two of his last five starts, both Highway sprints, and he has been freshened since finishing midfield in a BM72 contest at Canterbury.
He looks to have a lot of these rivals covered for class and he gets some relief in the weights under Amy McLucas.
Resonator has improved for two starts back from a spell and is ready to win at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Brazen Beau gelding was well beaten by Hell I Am in the Wyong Magic Millions Open race back in December, but worked home well to finish third, beaten only a head in BM72 company last time.
Fitter third-up, I think that this looks the perfect race for him.
True Crime will make his eagerly awaited return to the races in the third on January Cup Day, and I think that he can win.
The Kim Waugh-trained gelding was a strong and consistent performer during his debut prep, winning on debut at Gosford, and adding another impressive victory to his resume at Randwick.
He was last seen finishing off the pace of Manzoice here at Rosehill back in September, and that form was obviously well and truly franked when he won the Derby.
I’m happy to stick with Baranof in this week’s Midway race.
Baranof has returned several lovely performances this time in, and he recorded an easy win in BM64 company at Hawksbury two back.
His fifth placing in BM72 company at Randwick last time was better than that result suggested – he was only a length and a half behind the winner, and he takes his place this week in peak order.
Josh Parr looks the perfect fit for this horse, and they’re drawn to receive every chance.
Ausbred Flirt’s rise through the grades this time in has been impressive, and she strikes another winnable race at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Maurice mare recorded the second win of her career over 1500m at Kembla Grange back in November, and franked that performance with a bullish five-length victory in BM68 company.
She was unlucky not to win a similar contest over a mile at Randwick last time out, and I am confident that the small drop in trip back to 1500m this week will prove the difference in winning.
Raging Bull boasts a competitive fresh record and will make his return on January Cup Day.
The Bull Point gelding returned some lovely performances in tougher races than this one last year, and returned a winner over 1800m here at Rosehill in August; the only one of his seven starts not contested in black type company.
He’s had the benefit of a trial in the lead up to his return and has options from an inside draw.
Spirit Ridge is the one for me in this year’s January Cup.
Spirit Ridge has been a great horse throughout his racing tenure, and a move to Annabel Neasham’s stable this time looks to have breathed life into his career.
He finished down the order in the Group 2 Ingham first-up from a spell, but took plenty of improvement into the Summer Cup last time out, finishing just over a length fourth.
Fitter third-up and at the 2000m, I think that this is an ideal feature race for him.
Estadio Mestalla has hit the ground running in Australia and looks the one to beat again in the eight on January Cup Day.
The Galileo Gold gelding was a dominant winner first-up here at Rosehill back in November, and despite failing to beat a runner home second-up, he responded with another smart win under James McDonald here last time out.
He doesn’t lose a lot with Nash Rawiller jumping into this saddle this week, and I am expecting him to be in peak order.
Logan Street Lion gets another chance to win in Sydney this week.
The Tavistock gelding has been a strong and consistent performer this time in, and stamped himself as one to follow when winning in Saturday company in Brisbane first-up in November.
He has continued to strip fitter, culminating in a close-up second in his return south a fortnight ago, and I am confident that this is his chance to go one better.
Pizarro resumes in the last at Rosehill on Saturday, and it looks a nice launchpad for him.
The All Too Hard gelding has recorded three wins and a further five minors from his eight career starts, all similar races to this one.
He’s had the benefit of a trial leading up to his return and is drawn to receive a lovely run under Tommy Berry.