A winter staying test is the headline act at Rosehill this Saturday, with the Listed WJ McKell Cup anchoring a 10-race program.
Conditions look set to be a key talking point, with the track rated a Soft 5 at the time of writing and showers forecast both in the lead-up and on race day.
There is plenty of recent history in this year’s McKell Cup field, with 2024 winner Golden Path back to defend his crown. Glory Daze and Touristic, who finished third and fourth respectively last year, also return looking to improve on those efforts.
With conditions worth monitoring and a full card to work through, my Rosehill preview and WJ McKell Cup Day selections are below.
Deary me, this is a tough way to start the day at Rosehill.
JUST IN TIME (3) has the outside barrier to contend with but there’s plenty of positives to consider him at the generous price.
The Jason Deamer-trained gelding resumes here on the back of two trials and does his best work fresh, having won three of four first-up races.
He loves this distance and soft going so gets conditions to suit.
If jockey Adam Hyeronimus gets some luck from the car park draw, then he should make his presence felt.
| 3. Just In Time (16) J: Adam Hyeronimus 60kg 1663xT: Jason Deamer | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation third of 10 at Hawkesbury Provmid Champ March 7 over 1400m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Matcha Latte with 55.5kg at $6.50. Previous preparation first-up won by 0.5 len Canterbury 5yo+ Bm72 January 1 over 1250m slow track defeating Fine Vintage with 59kg at $4. Might be better off following this run. | |||
RED RAGS TO BULLS (7) caught the eye last start in a similar Highway Handicap over 1400m here.
The Jeremy Gask-trained mare drew the outside barrier and settled a long last before flashing home at a rate of knots to finish 2.58 lengths fifth.
Her last win came a year ago over this course and distance where she found the line powerfully to salute by half a length.
Siena Grima, who claims 2kg, knows this girl well and will likely get back in the run but if she gets clear air in the straight then she will take some holding out.
| 7. Red Rags To Bulls (11) J: Siena Grima 57kg 72345T: Jeremy Gask | |||
| Last start 5th of 14 at this track Highway-C3 on June 13 over 1400m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Hollywood Gold carrying 55kg at $6.50. The start before that 4th of 15 at this track Highway-C3 Sw on May 30 over 1500m, on heavy track; 4.5 len behind Moon Sweeper with 55kg at $6.50. Back marker expected to be in the finish. | |||
BENEVAC (3) looks close to a win following two very good runs to start this preparation.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding was forced to settle a long way back to prevent being caugh wide first-up over this course and distance but to his credit he found the line well to finish 1.58 lengths third.
There was plenty of merit in his last start performance givne he raced keenly as the jockey tried unsuccessfully to find cover, but despite racing wide he charged home to finish a head second.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and while he’s drawn out again, there does look good speed drawn under him so Adam Hyeronimus should be able to slide across and find a spot.
| 3. Benevac (10) J: Adam Hyeronimus 58.5kg 40×32T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming 3rd of 11 at this track 3&4yo Bm72 on May 30 over 1100m, on heavy track; 1.5 len behind Couples Retreat carrying 57kg at $26. Second run from a spell 2nd of 13 at this track 3&4yo Bm72 on June 13 over 1100m, on a slow track; nose behind Shropshire Lad with 57kg at $9.50. Fitter now and making headway. Doesn’t have to improve much to win this. | |||
TARZING (6) was unlucky when returning to the races last start over this course and distance.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding was restrained after copping a bump early and then ran into traffic issues in the straight and went to the line untested for a 1.84 length third.
He’ll be better for the outing and won his only previous second-up race.
With just four starts under her belt, he has plenty of upside and is drawn well for 2kg claimer Siena Grima.
| 6. Tarzing (5) J: Siena Grima 58kg 113×3T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months ran on strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 8 at this track 3&4yo Bm72 on June 13 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Surf’s Up carrying 54.5kg at $4.20. Previously second-up won by 0.5 len at Geelong Bm66 January 14 over 1312m defeating Grande Terre carrying 58.5kg at $4.40. Back in good shape and is among the top chances. | |||
SURF’S UP (1) had been building to a win and was rewarded last start with a victory over this course and distance.
The Chris Waller-trained mare appreciated the drop in class and a positive ride by Siena Grima and I’d suggest similar tactics will be employed here from barrier 1.
Her prior form was very good, finding the line strongly with a big weight three starts ago at Warwick Farm to miss the win by a head.
She drew the car park two starts ago over this distance at Randwick and proved costly as she worked home well to finish just under a length third in a stronger race.
While back up in class, she looks well placed to go back-to-back.
| 1. Surf’s Up (1) J: Siena Grima 59.5kg x4231T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Most recently favourite; won by 1.4 len at this track 3&4yo Bm72 June 13 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Damien carrying 56kg at $3.10. Before that made significant ground from the rear of the field 3rd of 15 at Randwick F&M Bm78 on May 23 over 1400m, slow going 0.9 len behind Declichy Boulevard with 56.5kg at $5. Hard to ignore her latest win, keep safe. | |||
KING PEDRO (9) was stiff not to win over 2000m here last start.
The Tom Charlton-trained gelding settled near the rear of the field before looming large in the straight, only for his momentum to be checked by the eventual winner. He rallied strongly, but ultimately missed victory by a nose.
That followed an excellent second-up run where he finished a neck second over 2100m at Gosford.
He rises in class but drops 5kg to just 54.5kg and will strip fitter given he was five weeks between runs.
| 9. King Pedro (2) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 54.5kg 2×722T: Tom Charlton | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run 2nd of 9 at this track Bm78 on June 13 over 2000m, on a slow track; nose behind Nobler carrying 57.5kg at $4.40. Before that ran on from midfield; 2nd of 16 at Gosford Bm78 on May 9 over 2100m, neck behind Monopolistic carrying 58.5kg at $12. Proven at the trip and due for a change of luck. | |||
HOVLAND (9) started this preparation in good style with back-to-back placings over a mile at Warwick Farm.
It was third times the charm for the Tom Charlton-trained gelding last start when returning to that same course and distance and letting down powerfully to win by just under a length.
He’s at peak fitness and will appreciate the rise in distance given he won his only previous race over it at Hawkesbury by 2.42 lengths.
He’s up in class but draws to get a nice run for Kerrin McEvoy.
| 9. Hovland (4) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 57.5kg 6×231T: Tom Charlton | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start favourite; won by 0.8 len at Warwick Farm Bm72 June 3 over 1600m in soft going defeating Elle Hudson with 59.5kg at $2.50. The race before that 3rd of 8 at Warwick Farm Bm72 on May 20 over 1600m, on heavy track; 2.75 len behind Superfabulistic with 59.5kg at $4.80. Leading player proven at the trip. | |||
GOD’S WINDOW (4) is racing in great form and looks well placed in the Listed WJ McKell Cup.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding loved the wet track two starts ago at Randwick when charging home to win by whisker.
He worked home strongly along the fence last start to finish just over a half-length second.
To help him handle the rise from a mile to 2000m, he’s had a trial where he produced a pleasing piece of work.
Any give in the track will be to his advantage.
| 4. God’s Window (7) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 55kg 5×412T: Chris Waller | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 2nd of 12 at Randwick Racing2win on June 6 over 1600m, slow going 0.7 len behind Formal Display with 54.5kg at $4.40. The start before that won by a nose at Randwick Bm94 May 23 over 1600m in the wet defeating Ruby Flyer with 55kg at $5.50. Went close last time. Back in good order and shapes as the main danger. | |||
SANCTIFIED (14) has been racing in consistent form this preparation, never finishing outside the top three.
The Ryan & Alexiou-trained gelding impressed two starts ago in the heavy conditions at Warwick Farm when storming home down the outside to win over 1300m by a half-length.
He was very good in this grade race last start here over 1300m where settled further forward than normal and fought on well for a 2.14 length third.
He’s rock hard fit and maps to get a great run from the low draw.
| 14. Sanctified (2) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 56kg x3213T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start raced on the pace when 3rd of 13 at this track Cg&E Bm78 on June 13 over 1300m, slow going 2 len behind Big Papa carrying 56kg at $9.50. Before that won by 0.5 len at Warwick Farm Bm72 May 20 over 1300m in heavy going defeating Supermassive carrying 58.5kg at $6. Maps well and can put these away. | |||
MR CHAPLIN (10) impressed in his Australian debut with a win over 1400m at Randwick.
The Tom Charlton-trained gelding was held up for a good part of the straight, but let down strongly to claim the race by a neck.
He’ll be better for the outing and is a previous second-up winner.
Kerin McEvoy will give him every chance from the good draw by settling in a prominent position.
| 10. Mr Chaplin (3) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 56.5kg 158×1T: Tom Charlton | |||
| Second run back. First-up after eight months won by a neck at Randwick Bm78 June 6 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Invader Zim carrying 59kg at $5. Previously second-up 19th of 30 at Ascot BRITANNIA STAKES on June 19 2025 over 1609m, 8 len behind Arabian Story with 59.5kg at $67. Tough Australian debut and can win again. | |||