The path to the 2026 Golden Rose Stakes continues to take shape at Rosehill this Saturday with the traditional lead-up, the Group 2 Run to the Rose, headlining the 10-race card.
A quality crop of three-year-olds have accepted for the 1200m feature, complemented by open editions of both the Sheraco and Theo Marks Stakes.
The forecast calls for a chance of showers earlier in the week, but we should be racing on a Good 4 if the rain stays away.
With plenty to dissect, you can find our form analysis, top tips, and betting strategy across the 10 races at Rosehill in our 2026 Run To The Rose Day Preview right here!
The wide gate could be to XTREME’S (9) advantage given his racing pattern.
The son to Exceedance likes to get back and run on, which he did only two weeks ago in a similar Highway race over the track/trip to charge home late into third.
He does have the tendency to overrace, but Kerrin McEvoy is a key change in the irons on Saturday and one that could prove the difference.
| 9. Xtreme (10) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 56kg 12×23T: Paul Snowden | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 2nd of 16 in a Highway-C3 at this track on August 15 over 1300m, on a slow track; neck behind Lyon carrying 55kg at $15. Second-up ran on from midfield; 3rd of 16 in a Highway-C2 at this track on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 1.75 len behind Zalique carrying 58kg at $5.50. Racing well. Key jockey change and a win looks imminent. | |||
ANNIE’S ROSE (2) has big claims given she’s a perfect two-from-two here at Rosehill.
A daughter to Sepoy, she came and won a BM78 over 100m shorter here two back, before finding herself too far back to score in her latest assignment at Randwick from a slightly tricky gate.
Her overall record over 1200m isn’t much chop, but she’s drawn to get the gun run along the rail with the claim helping her out at the weights.
| 2. Annie’s Rose (1) J: Anna Roper 58.5kg 10×17T: Kristen Buchanan | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up won by 0.9 len in a Bm78 at this track on August 1 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Kimberley Secrets carrying 54.5kg at $11. Last start got back early 7th of 13 in a Bm78 at Randwick on August 22 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Sovereign Hill with 57kg at $21. Willing to forgive the last run, can atone in this class. | |||
FOIRE DE TRONE (2) gets James McDonald in the saddle now looking to make it three on the trot.
She was incredibly brave all the way to the line at Randwick two weeks ago, stoking up three-wide at the bend to kick clear when it mattered for a narrow victory.
So far, she’s handled every step up in grade in her stride, and with her runs spaced, she should still have the legs to compete here with the potential for another wet track suiting.
| 2. Foire De Trone (5) Scratched: | |||
ANTHRACITE (10) has come up trumps with gate 2 and maps to find the box seat early.
He’s been incredibly consistent without winning recently, last seen leading for most of the way over 2000m before a promising horse in the form Aethelwulf got the better of him.
The step back in distance is a plus and he should benefit from a kinder tempo this time around with a few others likely to land on the speed.
| 10. Anthracite (2) J: Andrew Adkins 52kg x3432T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start rolled along in front before being edged out 2nd of 9 in a Bm78 at this track on August 29 over 2000m, 2.25 len behind Aethelwulf with 55kg at $7.50. The race before that made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 12 in a Bm78 at Randwick on August 22 over 1600m, on a slow track; 2 len behind King Of The Sea with 54.5kg at $15. Working up to a win. Sure to be in the thick of things again with map favours. | |||
CHISPA (7) has missed the money only twice from seven runs, one of those being in the Queensland Oaks earlier in the year where she copped some interference and was found to have some issues post-race.
Whether 1500m is a little too sharp for her fresh is the question, but she’s no doubt a mare with talent, even her trials have only been average leading in.
Barrier 2 gives her every shot to get right back in the run and potentially cause a bit of a late upset under James McDonald working home off the speed.
| 7. Chispa (2) J: James McDonald 57.5kg 4126xT: Chris Waller | |||
| She is resuming after a three-and-a-half months break. Finished off last campaign sixth of 18 at Eagle Farm in the G1 Qld Oaks June 6 over 2200m, 4 len behind Fireball Miss with 56.5kg at $7.50. On debut second of 7 at Beaumont (Newcastle) Mdn February 2 over 1200m, soft track; 0.5 len behind Good’n’you with 56.5kg at $5. Look for her late, don’t dismiss. | |||
GENESIS RUNNER (9) should be settling somewhere close to the front half of the field, and if all falls his way, he’ll be very hard to hold out.
The Freedman-trained colt was runner-up here over a touch shorter in behind Plagiarism last month, giving good chase in the end to rattle off a slick final 200m sectional in the process.
Previously, he won his maiden on a very wet track at Newcastle and if there is any chance of rain on Saturday, he’ll be even better suited.
| 9. Genesis Runner (3) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 53kg 41×2T: Richard & Will Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after two months sat on the pace when 2nd of 10 in the G3 Up and Coming Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1300m, 0.7 len behind Plagiarism carrying 53kg at $4.40. Previously second-up won by 2.25 len in a 2yo Hcp at Newcastle on June 27 over 1300m in the wet defeating Street Jewel carrying 56.5kg at $2.05. Genuine contender who gets map favours. | |||
APOCALYPTIC (3) has earned a mulligan based on some of her previous results.
She was sent around in the Toy Show Quality first-up at Randwick over 1100m two weeks ago where not a great deal went to plan, landing too far back in the field after being bumped out of the gates.
In saying that, she was strong down the straight on her way to grabbing third and was brilliant second-up this time last year when she came out won the Tea Rose Stakes by a good margin.
Potentially benefiting from the inside gate this time, she should be closer in the run and much more like the mare we came to know last spring.
| 3. Apocalyptic (1) J: Tommy Berry 58kg x24x3T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months 3rd of 7 in the G3 Toy Show Quality at Randwick on August 22 over 1100m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Prima Bella carrying 58.5kg at $2.50. Previously second-up 4th of 8 in the G1 Surround Stakes at Randwick on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 5 len behind Tempted with 56kg at $5. Sound return and proven at this level. | |||
UNDER FOCUS (12) might be over the odds I feel in this year’s Run To The Rose.
She was the run of the race for mine in The Rosebud two weeks ago in behind Chilly Girl, making up a mountain of ground from a very tricky alley down the outside part of the straight to smoke the line late for sixth.
This is just her second run back and I love that she’s had a trial between runs. We got a good look at her turn of foot earlier in the year when she won her maiden at Kensington, so on potential, she measures up.
| 12. Under Focus (5) J: Dylan Gibbons 55kg 213×6T: Kris Lees | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 6th of 13 in a LR The Rosebud at this track on August 15 over 1100m, slow going 3 len behind Chilly Girl carrying 57kg at $9. Previously second-up won by 1.5 len in a 2yo C&G Osc at Randwick Kensington on March 25 over 1100m in soft going defeating Drumfire with 57.5kg at $4.40. Gets a better set up for this and worth thought. | |||
SKYHOOK (6) appears forward enough to run a huge race here on return.
It’s been a few months since he went around at Eagle Farm to claim the Gunsynd Classic over the mile, and I felt there was a lot to like about his recent trial win despite the fact he’s untried over the 1300m trip.
Kerrin McEvoy returning to the saddle is a big plus though and you know he’ll appreciate any cut in the ground. Against an average field, he looks very well-placed.
| 6. Skyhook (14) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 56kg 6121xT: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | |||
| Entire returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation post a big 3.5 len win. Eagle Farm G3 Gunsynd June 13 over 1600m on heavy track defeating Within The Law carrying 57kg at $3.10. When resuming last campaign fourth of 14 at this track in the LR Darbymunro March 21 over 1200m, soft track; 1.1 len behind Beskar carrying 58.5kg at $3.10. Looks set for a strong return to racing despite drawing out. | |||
PILLOW FLIGHT (11) made a bad habit of finishing runner-up last time in work, but she could be a decent value play at double-figure odds based on some of her recent trials.
The Zoustar mare split the talented Sass Appeal and Salty Pearl last time out at Flemington, and now goes around the blinkers off looking to add to a growing first-up record.
The 1200m trip is short of her best, but her recent trials suggest she’s forward enough and ready to run another honest race under Rachel King.
| 11. Pillow Fight (8) J: Rachel King 53kg 7222xT: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Resuming after a break of six months. Finished off last preparation second of 8 at Flemington in the G2 Kewney March 7 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Sass Appeal with 56.5kg at $14. When resuming last campaign second last of 7 at Gosford in the LR Gosf Gneas December 28 over 1200m, 6 len behind Caffe Florian with 54kg at $31. Can surprise some of her more fancied rivals after the two trials. | |||
