The Rosebud Day brings a strong 10-race card to Rosehill this Saturday.
The Listed The Rosebud headlines the program and shapes as an important lead-up towards the Group 1 Golden Rose.
The track is rated a Soft 6, and showers are possible. That should keep the track conditions in the soft range for most of the afternoon.
The rail is in the true position. On a soft Rosehill deck, finding the right part of the straight could be just as important as the map.
That puts the speed map, race shape and early positioning firmly in play. Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities.
Here is our race-by-race preview for The Rosebud Day.
ATTRACTIVENESS (5) looks a strong chance to go back-to-back after winning a similar Midway Handicap here last start.
The Richard & Will Freedman-trained mare enjoyed getting onto a drier surface over 1400m, settling midfield before forcing clear and charging home to score by 1.15 lengths.
She has been racing well this preparation, including a first-up win, and Siena Grima’s claim means she carries only half a kilogram more.
There should be enough speed on to let her settle just behind them and build into the race late.
| 5. Attractiveness (2) J: Siena Grima 57.5kg x1351T: Richard & Will Freedman | |||
| At the latest run favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.2 len at this track on August 1 over 1400m in soft going defeating Krasina carrying 55kg at $3.20. Before that eased back early on 5th of 7 at this track on July 18 over 1500m, on a wet track; 5 len behind Arapawa with 55.5kg at $5. Talented mare who can win again. | |||
STEEL WILL (3) was dominant first-up and can take another step here.
The Chris Waller-trained colt resumed over 1100m at Wyong and put them away by 6.27 lengths, which was exactly the return punters wanted to see.
He had shown ability in his first preparation, including a debut third behind subsequent black-type winner The Next Episode after racing wide throughout.
He strips fitter, rises in distance and maps to land in a good spot for James McDonald.
| 3. Steel Will (4) J: James McDonald 56kg 37×1T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; scored a big 6 len win at Wyong on August 2 over 1100m defeating Ghostbuster carrying 58kg at $1.45. Previously second-up 7th of 10 in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1100m, slow going 6 len behind Blue Door with 56.5kg at $7.50. Demolished the small field first-up and can go on with it here. | |||
VALEDOR (14) comes to town with a big opinion and looks the right horse to follow in this Highway.
The Messara & Gavranich-trained gelding bolted in on debut before having no luck second-up, where he was badly hampered near the 500m after another runner hit the inside rail and caused it to bounce back toward him.
He made amends last start at Scone, stepping to the mile and winning by 1.7 lengths with plenty in hand.
James McDonald going on is the big push, and this has a similar feel to Avista’s win for the same trainer and jockey combination last Saturday.
| 14. Valedor (9) J: James McDonald 55kg 151T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | |||
| At the latest run raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.75 len at Scone on July 31 over 1600m defeating Tacitly carrying 58kg at $3.80. The start before that 5th of 9 at Gunnedah on July 20 over 1400m, 1.75 len behind Meddlesome carrying 60.5kg at $1.55. Heading in the right direction and can measure up again. | |||
LEOVANNI (11) is backing up quickly and looks well placed to run another big race.
The Cameron Crockett-trained mare chased strongly over a mile at Randwick last start to finish second, beaten 1.36 lengths, behind The Mona Lisa.
That confirmed she can handle this grade, and her previous form was excellent with back-to-back Highway wins over 1800m and a mile.
She only rises 1kg to 53.5kg, and with limited speed engaged, Alysha Collett should be able to put her in the right spot.
| 11. Leovanni (4) J: Alysha Collett 53.5kg 21112T: Cameron Crockett | |||
| At the latest run ran on from midfield; 2nd of 11 at Randwick on August 8 over 1600m, 1.4 len behind The Mona Lisa carrying 52.5kg at $6.50. Before that won by 0.8 len at Randwick on July 25 over 1800m in soft going defeating Maples with 55.5kg at $7. Keeps raising the bar and don’t dismiss. | |||
GLISSANDO (5) has upside and the racing pattern to make her hard to catch again.
The Chris Waller-trained mare was fair on debut but has gone to another level since, leading throughout to win her Maiden at Kembla Grange before doing the same at Canterbury.
Last start, she went straight to the front over 1550m and kept finding late to win by just under two lengths.
The wide gate is the query, but she has the speed to cross, and James McDonald should be positive early.
| 5. Glissando (10) J: James McDonald 55.5kg 511T: Chris Waller | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run favourite; won by 2 len at Canterbury on August 5 over 1550m defeating Namaste carrying 58kg at $1.40. The run before that favourite; scored a big 3.5 len win at Kembla Grange on July 16 over 1300m defeating Divine Heights with 55kg at $1.95. Going well enough to give this a shake. | |||
FORMAL (12) is worth another chance after going to the line with plenty to offer last start.
The Nathan Doyle-trained gelding never saw daylight over this course and distance and finished second last, but he was full of running and untested.
His previous run was much better on paper, as he chased strongly to finish third, beaten just over half a length.
He has not won for a while, but the senior jockey booking is key. Tyler Schiller goes on for the first time in nine months and can give him the soft run from the low draw.
| 12. Formal (3) J: Tyler Schiller 55kg 34430T: Nathan Doyle | |||
| Last start ran second last of 13 at this track on August 1 over 1100m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Annie’s Rose carrying 53.5kg at $12. The run before that ran on from midfield; 3rd of 11 at this track on July 4 over 1100m, slow going 0.6 len behind Polyglot carrying 53.5kg at $8.50. | |||
HAWKER HALL (5) can roll forward and give them something to chase again.
The Kris Lees-trained gelding resumed with an all-the-way win over 1100m at Randwick and should take improvement from that run.
He won second-up last preparation at Rosehill, and the rise to 1200m suits given he won over this distance on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast.
James McDonald gets on well with him, and if he controls the race in front, they may struggle to get past.
| 5. Hawker Hall (2) J: James McDonald 58kg 138×1T: Kris Lees | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months won by a head at Randwick on July 25 over 1100m in soft going defeating Istolea Merc with 58.5kg at $6.50. Previously second-up won by a long-neck at this track on December 7 over 1100m defeating Crepe Myrtle carrying 53kg at $2.35. | |||
BLUE DOOR (6) resumes with the right form and the right map for The Rosebud.
The Bjorn Baker-trained filly won the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes on debut, sitting outside the lead over this course and distance before lifting late to beat The Next Episode by a head.
That is strong enough form for this Listed assignment.
Her trial was sharp, and she worked home under her own steam with Gangster Granny. Rachel King should be able to land on speed and make her presence felt.
| 6. Blue Door (5) J: Rachel King 56.5kg 1xT: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Resuming after a break; only one run when won by a head in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1100m on a soft track defeating The Next Episode with 54.5kg at $4.40. | |||
ATTICA (1) resumes as a gelding and looks ready to fire fresh.
The Joe Pride-trained son of Lonhro has trialled very well, racing on speed and placing in both heats alongside quality types like Jimmysstar and Beiwacht.
He is clearly the class runner, having won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, and he has already won first-up over this distance.
The barrier is sticky, but if Adam Hyeronimus can find a spot, his class can take care of the rest.
| 1. Attica (9) J: Adam Hyeronimus 59kg 4380xT: Joseph Pride | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign 13th of 16 at Randwick in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m, soft track; 10 len behind Sheza Alibi with 50kg at $26. First up last campaign fourth of 7 at this track in the G2 Hobartvlle February 21 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Ninja carrying 56.5kg at $15. | |||
TARZING (10) can bounce back with a much better setup this time.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding had excuses last start. He was five weeks between runs, drew wide, got caught deep early and never looked comfortable behind a hot speed before finishing sixth, beaten 3.32 lengths.
His previous course and distance win was excellent, settling handy before charging to the line to score by just under a length.
There should be plenty of pressure up front again, but from a better barrier, James McDonald can give him the right run.
| 10. Tarzing (6) J: James McDonald 58kg 3×316T: Chris Waller | |||
| Most recently 6th of 13 at this track on August 1 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Steel Strike carrying 58kg at $2.70. The start before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.8 len at this track on June 27 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Big Papa carrying 56kg at $3.60. Rates highly. Hard to go past in this suitable contest. | |||
Rosehill Big Bets
Check out the big bets placed for Saturday’s The Rosebud meeting at Roseh.