Rosehill Gardens will play host to Group 1 racing this Saturday with the Golden Rose set to headline a thrilling ten race program.
Just nine runners line up for this years edition of the $1m feature for the three year olds, with the lone filly Tempted poised to start favourite as she takes on the colts.
With a further four races to be run at stakes level, we’re set for a brilliant day of racing and you can find all of my detailed selections below in my Golden Rose Stakes Day preview.
MERIDIANA returns to the races.
The John Sargeant trained daughter of Preferment has shown plenty of talent in her four runs to date.
After a commanding debut victory, she quickly earned a shot at stakes company, stepping up to Listed grade for her next three outings.
She closed out the South Pacific Stakes with a strong fourth-place finish before heading to Brisbane, where she secured a credible third in the Princess Stakes.
She was spelled after struggling in the heavy 10 track conditions of the Gold Coast Bracelet, a race where she lost both front plates during the run.
Rejuvenated and prepared with two trials ahead of her comeback, she cruised comfortably to finish just behind Tempted in her latest hitout, looking primed and ready for her return to racing.
| 6. Meridiana (7) J: Josh Parr 58kg 1438x T: John Sargent |
POISEN POINT began her campaign with a promising performance in a Randwick Highway, and she appears well suited stepping up to 1500m this time around.
Raced back at the rear in the 1200m event, the Swiss Ace mare kept close to the rail working through the straight to secure a solid fourth placing.
She showed good promise last preparation, notching two wins and three placings from five starts.
Returning in good order, she looks primed to benefit from the step up in distance, especially with that first run under her belt.
With Zac Lloyd retaining the ride, if he can settle her nicely and find cover early from the wide draw, expect her to close off strongly.
| 8. Poisen Point (12) J: Zac Lloyd 55.5kg 123×4 T: Brett Robb |
JUJA KIBO returned to the winner’s circle last start and looks nicely positioned to make it back-to-back victories.
Stepping up to 2400m for the first time two runs ago, the former Irish galloper found himself caught too far off the pace, peaking late after a sustained, ground-covering run.
Last time out, he settled beautifully in second, travelling smoothly before unleashing a powerful turn of foot in the straight to pull clear by just under two lengths.
With three wins from his last four starts, he’s is clearly in peak form and appears primed for further improvement.
While he faces a big rise in grade, he does drop 4kgs from his previous run.
| 7. Juja Kibo (8) J: Andrew Adkins 55.5kg 31161 T: Ciaron Maher |
FLYING BANDIT finished off strongly in the mile resumption at Randwick and stepping up to this distance will suit him perfectly.
The Kerry Parker trained gelding has advanced through the grades with apparent ease, establishing himself as a rising star among smart stayers.
Last campaign, he notched his first stakes win in the Wagga Gold Cup, and there’s every reason to expect him to build on that success this time around.
With two wins from three second-up outings Flying Bandit is well placed here, especially with the drop in grade.
Braith Nock will take 2kg off his back and with clear running in the straight, he’s poised to power home strongly.
| 1. Flying Bandit (8) J: Braith Nock 62.5kg 417×6 T: Kerry Parker |
POINT AND SHOOT hasn’t featured in his two starts this preparation, but I’m confident he’ll bounce back strongly here.
The Blue Point gelding struggled through heavy ground on his return and after a slow start last time, faded late while chasing the field.
Since then, he’s returned to the trials and the way he finished off suggests he’s ready to fire.
He was in outstanding form last campaign, delivering back-to-back wins in commanding fashion.
Fit and ready, the step up to 1400m suits him perfectly, and with a draw that should secure the ideal run for Rachel King, he looks set to make an impact.
| 8. Point And Shoot (3) Scratched: | |||
Golden Slipper Stakes winner MARHOONA is set to return to the track.
The Snitzel filly’s debut campaign featured just three starts, yielding two victories and a strong second placing.
Her runner-up finish came in the Reisling Stakes, where only Golden Rose favourite Tempted managed to edge her out late.
Coming off two impressive trials in preparation for this comeback, she looks set to make an immediate impact.
Guided by Tommy Berry , she will break from gate four — a draw that should give her every chance to assert herself early.
| 4. Marhoona (4) J: Tommy Berry 58kg 121x T: Michael Freedman |
MANAAL returned to peak form with an authoritative victory in the Sheraco Stakes last start, and she looks well-placed to deliver a repeat performance.
The Michael Freedman trained daughter of Tassort was only plain when resuming in the Cockram Stakes at Caulfield, but back to Sydney and with the benefit of added fitness, she was simply too strong for her rivals last time out.
A proven Group 1 performer, having claimed the Sires Produce Stakes at two, Manaal has well and truly proven herself a top class mare.
The step up to 1400 metres looks ideal and while she will need to concede weight to her opponents, the low barrier draw should afford her a comfortable passage throughout the race.
| 1. Manaal (4) J: Tommy Berry 58kg 55×81 T: Michael Freedman |
TEMPTED was ultra impressive when making her return in the Run To The Rose and she looks every bit the one to beat as she once again takes on the boys.
The filly showcased her class with commanding wins in the Percy Sykes Stakes and the Reisling Stakes during the Autumn, while she was luckless in both the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper.
Now training under Ciaron Maher’s expert guidance, Godolphin’s daughter of Street Boss has come back in peak condition and I’m confident she’ll handle the step up to 1400 metres with ease.
| 9. Tempted (8) J: Ethan Brown 54.5kg 131×1 T: Ciaron Maher |
GRINGOTTS delivered a solid return in the Winx Stakes and with the extra fitness under his belt, he’s shaping up to be tough to beat in this race.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, the Per Incanto gelding appeared to peak late during his run through heavy conditions and has since returned to the trials.
Always brimming with talent, Gringotts elevated his game last preparation, stepping confidently into Group 1 company for the first time and showcasing his superiority under weight-for-age conditions in the George Ryder Stakes.
His second-up record is exceptional, the step up to 1500m suits him perfectly and he’ll relish the return to a fairer surface.
While the hefty weight he’s carrying is a slight concern, his class and proven ability should see him carry it with authority.
| 1. Gringotts (7) Scratched: | |||
ROSELYN’S STAR returned from a lengthy break with a promising effort over this course and distance, though he couldn’t quite finish off at his second run back.
After four weeks off, he returned to the trials and powered strongly through the line, comfortably winning his heat.
Lightly raced with just five starts under his belt, the son of Shaala showed significant promise during his initial campaign, notching a win and two runner-up finishes, including a solid performance in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes.
With his fitness building nicely, I’m confident he can deliver a much improved effort this time.
| 8. Roselyn’s Star (4) J: Zac Lloyd 57.5kg 12×46 T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton |