Rosehill hosts a full ten-race program this Saturday with Winter Cup Day headlined by the Group feature, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, formerly known as the Winter Cup, one of the standout staying tests of the Sydney winter.
The race has developed a fascinating recent history, with the Waterhouse and Bott stable claiming three of the past five editions, though they will not be represented this year, leaving the door open for new challengers.
Chris Waller, who has taken out three of the past six runnings, does hold a hand once again and looks poised to play a major role in shaping the finish.
With fine weather forecast, Rosehill should present in ideal order, setting the stage for genuinely run races and giving every runner their chance across what shapes as a competitive and high quality card.
FRIENDLY FIRE (1) looks tough to beat in the opening race at Rosehill and the market hasn’t missed him.
The Gary Portelli-trained gelding was slow away on debut at Wagga before finding the line powerfully to finish 1.3 lengths second with a gap to third.
He went one better last start when fighting like a tiger to salute narrowly over 1200m at Randwick.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and Siena Grima’s 2kg claim comes in handy.
| 1. Friendly Fire (4) J: Siena Grima 59kg 21T: Gary Portelli |
SMASHING TIME (1) won a Midway Handicap similar to this over 1200m at Gosford last start.
The Robert & Luke Price-trained gelding made short work of the wide draw to cross and lead before fighting strongly to win by just under a length.
That followed a neck second when resuming at Kembla Grange, so he’s come back this preparation in good form.
He’s armed with early speed so can take advantage of the good barrier and will carry 1kg less than last start thanks to Molly Fitzgerald’s claim.
| 1. Smashing Time (3) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 60kg 70×21T: Robert & Luke Price |
I nearly said, “leave me out of it” as this is an open Highway Handicap, but I’m not a coward and think CONCOCTION (3) has the right formula to challenge.
The Stirling Oswald-trained gelding opened his campaign with a win at Armidale before racing flat second-up with a large impost.
He recorded the fastest closing sectionals of the race last start when finishing fourth to runaway winner Midnight Dynamite in a significantly stronger class race at Eagle Farm.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Ash Morgan settle off before launching.
| 3. Concoction (6) J: Ashley Morgan 59kg 0x164T: Stirling Osland |
NOBLER (5) is racing in a rich vein of form and is chasing his third consecutive win.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding found the line strongly on ANZAC Day to defeat Brisbane Cup favourite Bella Montagna and win by a neck.
He impressed last start over a mile at Gosford when settling a distant last before rocketing home to salute by just under a half-length.
This is his first Australian start over 2000m but he did win and place over similar distance in Ireland and the way he finds the line suggests he won’t have a problem.
A recent trial will have fitted him nicely.
| 5. Nobler (2) J: Siena Grima 59kg x2611T: Chris Waller |
SURF’S UP (6) looks close to a win after filling the placings at her past two races.
The Chris Waller-trained mare found the line strongly with a big weight two starts ago at Warwick Farm to miss the win by a head.
She drew the car park last start over this distance at Randwick and proved costly as she worked home well to finish just under a length third in a stronger race.
Siena Grima, who claims 2kg, will give her every chance from the low draw.
| 6. Surf’s Up (2) J: Siena Grima 58kg 8×423T: Chris Waller |
ROYAL FLARE (7) looks to be a talented type who has only tasted defeat on one occasion in three races.
The Brendan McCarthy-trained gelding returned for his second preparation last start at Caulfield Heath where he was sent out as a $1.30 favourite and didn’t disappoint, proving too strong over 1200m.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and while this is his toughest assignment to date, it must be respected that his trainer has brought him north from his Victorian base.
There looks to be good speed in the race which includes him, but Regan Bayliss will have options to either lead or take a sit from the good gate.
| 7. Royal Flare (5) J: Regan Bayliss 59kg 12×1T: Brendan McCarthy |
LIGHTNING GLORY (7) debut in October last year with a 3.72 length Maiden win at Newcastle and hasn’t looked back, winning four of six starts.
The Nathan Doyle-trained gelding has been in outstanding form this preparation, winning all three starts. He may have produced his best performance last time out, stepping up to his toughest assignment yet and showing great toughness to hold off the fast-finishing Nitro, scoring by a neck.
He’s been back to the trials since his last win and produced a slick piece of work to suggest he’s ready for this rise in class.
Shannen Llewellyn, who claims 3kg, has built a good rapport with him and should land in a prominent position.
| 7. Lightning Glory (8) J: Shannen Llewellyn 59kg 3×111T: Nathan Doyle |
MAISON LOUIS (2) can be forgiven for his failure in the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup last start when settling a long way back and held up in the straight.
The Tom Charlton-trained gelding will also appreciate returning to a dry track.
Two starts back he made good ground in the run home to finish 2.75 lengths fourth in the Listed Gosford Gold Cup.
The only previous time he raced over this distance he won the Group 1 Queensland Derby which was almost a year to the day ago.
| 2. Maison Louis (2) J: Andrew Adkins 58.5kg 6×640T: Tom Charlton |
LA BASILIQUE (7) didn’t have the clearest of paths last start in the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes at Scone but her form prior was excellent.
The Chris Waller-trained filly will appreciate the drop in class and won back-to-back races prior to that to start her preparation.
She will appreciate the rise to 1300m and won her only previous start over the distance.
A recent trial where she flashed home late will have tuned her up nicely.
| 7. La Basilique (10) J: Andrew Adkins 58kg 1×110T: Chris Waller |
SEVEN’S (12) returns from Queensland in good form and finds a suitable race.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding had no luck first-up at the Gold Coast, racing wide throughout and understandably weakened to finish 2.8 lengths fourth.
She found the front last start over 1600m at Doomben but was picked off in the closing stages to finish a half-length second. The form from that race has stacked up with the fourth placed horse subsequently winning impressively.
Braith Nock, who claims 1.5kg, can give her every chance from the good draw with an on pace run.
| 12. Seven’s (4) J: Braith Nock 58kg 47×42T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |