Saturday racing heads to Rosehill for the start of the new racing season. The thoroughbred horse’s birthday gives punters a fresh point to work from.
There are 10 races on the card. The rail goes out 7m from the 800m to the winning post and 6m for the remainder.
The track had a Soft 5 rating on Wednesday. Fine weather is forecast through to Saturday before late showers arrive on race day, so track conditions will be worth monitoring.
Rosehill can be a track where momentum, lanes and early race patterns tell a story. The first few races should give punters a good guide to how the meeting may unfold.
With plenty of depth across the card, we’ll work through the race analysis, identify the key runners and assess the main winning chances across all 10 races.
HELLOVA NATURE (1) is racing in a purple patch of form this preparation with three wins and three placings.
The Kristin Buchanan-trained gelding was expertly placed last start over 1350m at Doomben, where he settled midfield before letting down powerfully to put his rivals away and win by just over a length.
Two starts back in a similar class race to this, he charged late after being held up to finish just over half a length second to the very much in-form Cold Brew over 1300m here.
He’s drawn well for 3kg claimer Mollie Fitzgerald.
| 1. Hellova Nature (4) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 60kg 21121T: Kristen Buchanan | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently won by 1.1 len at Doomben Nmw July 11 over 1350m defeating Larrikin Rogue with 58.5kg at $10. Before that 2nd of 13 at this track Midway Bm72 on June 27 over 1300m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Cold Brew with 57.5kg at $41. Well drawn and another big run is in store. | |||
OH ARTHUR (12) did plenty wrong on debut at Grafton and was sent to the paddock to mature.
Following a year off the scene, he recently returned in emphatic style at Canterbury, where he showed a clean set of hooves to lead all the way for a 2.15 length victory in a $100k Super Maiden.
While he still wanted to do a few things wrong, there is no doubting his ability and he’ll be better for the experience.
Adrian Layt sticks and will make full use of the good gate to settle in a prominent position.
| 12. Oh Arthur (4) J: Adrian Layt 57.5kg 6×1T: Lucy Longmire | |||
| Second-up. First start 6th of 14 at Grafton Ctry Mdn-Sw on July 16 2025 over 1000m, 7 len behind Vivika carrying 57kg at $15. Went for a spell before returning won by 2.25 len at Canterbury Super Mdn July 8 over 1100m on a heavy track defeating Isawyou with 59kg at $26. Impressive winner first-up and stays in the mix. | |||
COLUMBUS (2) finished last preparation with a win and picked up at Newcastle last start where he left off.
The Les Bridge-trained gelding was held up, but let down powerfully once clear before driving away late to win the 1400m contest by 1.79 lengths.
He’s only lightly raced, so he has an abundance of upside and will strip fitter second-up.
James McDonald is a key booking and should give him a great run behind what looks a hot speed.
| 2. Columbus (6) J: James McDonald 58kg 321×1T: Les Bridge | |||
| Second run back. First-up after nine months favourite; won by 1.75 len at Newcastle Cg&E Bm64 July 14 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Roma Green with 60kg at $1.45. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 at Newcastle Mdn on October 2 over 1500m, long-neck behind Lady Pankhurst carrying 57.5kg at $1.75. Exciting gelding expected to go on with it this prep. | |||
KWIRKY SMILE (10) got up in the final stride when winning on debut before being sent for a spell.
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare didn’t have much luck first-up at Hawkesbury, where she raced wide throughout but battled on well to her credit.
She bounced back last start over this distance at Gosford, circling the field on the turn from last before dashing clear to win easily by 3.09 lengths.
This is harder, but she’ll carry just 52kg with Rachel King in the saddle.
| 10. Kwirky Smile (9) J: Rachel King 52kg 1×61T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming 6th of 9 at Hawkesbury Cl1 on July 2 over 1000m, slow going 3.5 len behind At Her Mercy with 55kg at $11. Second-up favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 3 len at Gosford F&M Cl1 July 18 over 1200m on a heavy track defeating Tennessee Dolly with 56.5kg at $2.90. Impressed last start. Nice mare who deserves her chance in this stronger contest, each way. | |||
ANYTHINK GOES (1) will appreciate dropping in class and rising in distance after giving a good account of himself over 1800m at Randwick last start, where he finished 6.29 lengths fourth.
Sly Boots was just ahead of him that day and subsequently won last Saturday.
The Matthew Smith-trained gelding proved too strong over this course and distance two starts ago when defeating Cormac T by just under a length.
He’s rock-hard fit and gets the services of Nash Rawiller.
| 1. Anythink Goes (7) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 37314T: Matthew Smith | |||
| At the latest run 4th of 11 at Randwick Bm88 on July 11 over 1800m, in the wet; 6 len behind Tazima carrying 54kg at $5.50. The race before that won by 0.5 len at this track Bm78 July 4 over 2000m on a soft track defeating Cormac T with 57kg at $18. Has a good record here and keep safe. | |||
You’d expect champion trainer Chris Waller to enter the right horse to win a race named in his honour, and that’s certainly the case with ENVIABLE (3).
The daughter of Frankel ticked off her maiden win last start when easily accounting for her rivals by 2.62 lengths over 1400m at Newcastle.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and boasts strong black-type form, having finished runner-up in the Group 2 Fillies Classic and fourth in the Group 1 Flight Stakes last preparation.
James McDonald pilots and should give his mount every chance with a sweet run just behind the lead.
| 3. Enviable (4) J: James McDonald 58.5kg 742×1T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after nine months favourite; came from midfield and won by 2.5 len at Newcastle Mdn-Sw July 14 over 1400m in soft going defeating Hellfighter carrying 57kg at $1.12. Previously second-up 3rd of 10 at Warwick Farm Super 3yo Mdn on September 3 over 1400m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Attica carrying 55kg at $14. Talented mare who will keep improving as she gets back out in trip. | |||
TARZING (8) was unlucky when returning to the races two starts ago over this course and distance, going to the line untested for a 1.84 length third.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding returned to the winner’s stall last start, again over this course and distance, where he settled handy before charging to the line to win by just under a length.
That was a month ago, so he’s been back to the trials to tune up and produced a pleasing piece of work.
With just five starts under his belt, he has plenty of upside and gets top jockey James McDonald to navigate the sticky gate.
| 8. Tarzing (12) J: James McDonald 58kg 13×31T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 8 at this track 3&4yo Bm72 on June 13 over 1400m, slow going 1.75 len behind Surf’s Up with 54.5kg at $4.20. Second run from a spell tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.8 len at this track 3&4yo Bm72 June 27 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Big Papa carrying 56kg at $3.60. Right in the mix again and can overcome the wide gate. | |||
RUN HARRY RUN (2) took some great jump out form to the races when he resumed in the Mildura Cup last start.
The Team Hayes-trained gelding raced outside the lead in the 1400m contest before proving too strong late to salute by a neck.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and has produced some good efforts at his second run back, including last preparation when finishing second in the Gold Bullion at Pakenham.
He’s drawn well and should be given a great run on speed by Nash Rawiller.
| 2. Run Harry Run (4) J: Nash Rawiller 58kg 240×1T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second-up. First-up after six months favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a long-neck at Mildura Mildura Cup July 17 over 1400m defeating Black Storm carrying 59kg at $3.70. Previously second-up 2nd of 11 at Pakenham Vgold Bullion on December 13 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Persian Spirit with 56.5kg at $7. Talented gelding who maps well. | |||
DARK GLITTER (6) will appreciate getting back onto a drier surface after finishing 2.39 lengths sixth on a heavy deck here last start.
The Mike Van Gestel-trained mare was very good the start prior when letting down powerfully to win by 1.21 lengths over 1200m here.
While she’s back up in class, she has competed well in stronger races than this, including at black-type level where she placed.
She gets in with just 54kg thanks to Shannen Llewellyn’s claim and maps to enjoy a nice run.
| 6. Dark Glitter (3) J: Shannen Llewellyn 57kg 06416T: Mick Van Gestel | |||
| Most recently 6th of 12 at this track Bm88 on July 18 over 1300m, in the wet; 2.5 len behind Romeo’s Choice with 58.5kg at $8. The race before that won by 1.2 len at this track Bm88 July 4 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Smashing Time carrying 56kg at $14. In great order and can return to form on the firmer surface. | |||
JARRITO (12) was a dominant first-up winner on the Kensington track before running well in a Midway, where she found the line strongly for a close fourth.
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare looks to have plenty of ability and demonstrated that last start over this distance at Warwick Farm, where she settled in the second pair before dashing clear to win by 2.69 lengths.
She’s at peak fitness and her form warrants another shot at Saturday company.
There looks to be good speed in the race, but from the low draw, Rachel King has options and should land in a prominent position regardless.
| 12. Jarrito (5) J: Rachel King 55.5kg 0x141T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.75 len at Warwick Farm Bm72 July 15 over 1100m defeating Capture Me carrying 56.5kg at $2.45. The start before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 12 at this track 3yo Bm72 on June 27 over 1100m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Lighthouse Lass with 55.5kg at $9. Cherry-ripe now and will take catching in this stronger contest. | |||
Rosehill Big Bets
Check out the big bets placed for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting as the new racing season gets underway.