Saturday racing heads to Rosehill for Winter Challenge Day, with a 10-race card headlined by the Listed Winter Challenge.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5, and with showers forecast on Friday and possibly Saturday, there’s every chance it remains in the Soft range.
The rail is out 4m, which should give every runner their chance, although conditions may play a role if more rain arrives.
There’s plenty to work through across a strong Rosehill program, so let’s get into the Winter Challenge preview and break down the card.
SEEIAYE (2) was very good last start over 1100m here when finishing a half-length second.
The Peter Snowden-trained gelding was asked to do a lot of work outside the lead so did well to fight on against the talented Omolong.
He’s at peak fitness now and he may not want to overdo with a visor replacing winkers.
Chad Schofield should be able to land in a prominent position.
| 2. Seeiaye (6) J: Chad Schofield 58.5kg 4×862 T: Peter Snowden |
MYRIAD (13) found the line strongly two starts ago over 1200m at Wyong to salute by just under half a length.
The Nathan Doyle-trained gelding stepped up to Midway class here last start and loomed as the winner in the straight when he hit the front, but his rivals fought back to nail him late, leaving him to finish third by a head.
He may have relaxed once he found the front, so winkers going on looks a positive gear change.
There looks to be good speed in the race, which should allow Tommy Berry to find a spot with cover.
| 13. Myriad (10) J: Tommy Berry 56kg x6813 T: Nathan Doyle |
KAKODA (12) was stiff not to win over this distance at Scone last start in a stronger race.
The Scott Singleton-trained filly encountered a chequered path in the run home and was held up before charging late to miss by a nose.
She impressed two starts ago at Tamworth when powering home to win the 1000m contest by a neck.
Mikayla Weir can stalk what looks a hot speed before pouncing late.
| 12. Kakoda (4) J: Mikayla Weir 55.5kg 1×712 T: Scott Singleton |
CHEVAL DE BOIS (6) was scratched from a winnable race at Kembla Grange in favour of this assignment, and that decision needs to be respected.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding produced a super performance over 1550m at Kensington last start, charging through the heavy conditions late to just miss running down Ballpark.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and meets Ballpark better at the weights.
Braith Nock can stalk the leaders before getting his mount to the outside in the straight.
| 9. Cheval De Bois (3) J: Braith Nock 54.5kg 10×42 T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
LE TROISIR (14) gives the impression he’s better equipped to step up to 2400m now than when he was based in Melbourne.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding settled a long way back over 2000m here last start before working home nicely to finish 2.42 lengths third.
Three starts ago, he proved too strong over 2200m at Warwick Farm, winning and defeating Cormac T in the process.
He once again draws wide, which will most likely see Zac Lloyd settle back, but with a light weight, he should be coming home hard behind a solid speed.
| 14. Le Troisir (9) J: Zac Lloyd 53.5kg 39143 T: Chris Waller |
SWORD OF LEGACY (3) appreciated the drop in class and showed what she can do from a good barrier when saluting over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly was heavily backed and delivered for punters, powering home to record a strong win.
She can be forgiven for her Listed Queensland Day Stakes failure two starts ago, where she raced keenly and was posted wide, while she also drew the car park in the Darby McCarthy three starts ago before going back, finding trouble, and charging late to finish just under a length third.
Dunn has gone to his top rider in Sydney, Nash Rawiller, with whom he shares a super winning strike-rate.
| 3. Sword Of Legacy (4) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 21301 T: Matthew Dunn |
ROSELYN’S STAR (4) returns to the races for the first time since finding the line strongly to win the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes over 1200m here.
The O’Shea & Charlton-trained gelding has looked good in two trials leading into this first-up assignment, working to the line well under his own steam to win before placing a close second.
He kicked off last preparation with a strong effort at the Gold Coast on Magic Millions Day, finishing second.
It’s a slightly tricky gate, but Zac Lloyd can use his speed to cross and find a prominent position.
| 4. Roselyn’s Star (5) J: Zac Lloyd 56.5kg 2231x T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton |
ELOUYOU (7) has been racing consistently in Melbourne and looks overdue for a win but finds herself in a wide-open handicap.
The Scott Cameron-trained mare was last seen being run down late over 1400m at Caulfield, finishing 2.21 lengths fourth in a stronger race.
She’s a previous Sydney winner, having scored over 1400m here in heavy conditions.
Wet tracks play into her hands, and while she’s drawn wide, Tommy Berry should be able to settle in a prominent position.
| 7. Elouyou (8) J: Tommy Berry 58kg x5334 T: Scott Cameron |
Bjorn Baker loves a Toyota Forklift, so it would be fitting if he won the Listed Winter Challenge.
I’m with one of his runners in the race, MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE (8), who worked home well despite a wide run last start in the Lister Stakes to finish 2.16 lengths third to General Salute and McHale.
He is better placed in this race than those two, and his previous form is superior, with two wins including the Listed Civic Stakes.
He’s rock-hard fit and maps to get a great run for Tommy Berry.
| 8. Midnight Dynamite (4) J: Tommy Berry 57kg 11213 T: Bjorn Baker |
COLUMBIA BLUE (12) impressed when resuming over 1100m here last start.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding was forced to work three-wide outside the lead and was entitled to turn it up late but kept charging to the line to miss the win by a nose.
He’ll have come on nicely since that run and is undefeated in two second-up races.
Scratchings have made his task easier from the wide gate and he gets the services of Nash Rawiller.
| 12. Columbia Blue (9) J: Nash Rawiller 57kg 116×2 T: Joseph Pride |