Despite the Sydney autumn carnivals now being a distant memory, we find a competitive card of racing at Rosehill this Saturday. The Lord Mayors Cup is the feature event of the program. With many runners contemplating a trip to the Brisbane winter carnivals, this event may provide a significant form guide for the upcoming months!
Rosehill Race 7
#6 Union Gap
Union Gap has made an impressive start to his racing career in Australia. The Redwood gelding has grown an extra leg since arriving from New Zealand, and he can continue on his winning ways Saturday. The step out to 2400m is advantageous, and the soft track conditions play in his favour. He looks well placed at Benchmark 78 level, and I expect him to go through his grades successfully over the coming months.
New Zealand visitor Achieve looks over the odds. The Pierro mare boasts impressive form across the ditch, and her best performance would see her figure in the finish. The versatile four-year-old will appreciate the sting out of the ground, and the 2400m looks ideal at this stage of her preparation. It may pay to watch for any significant market support.
Outlandos can bounce back here after a luckless campaign. The Dissident gelding has had genuine excuses at his latest outings, and he gets his chance to make amends meeting easier opposition. He is ready for the step out in the distance, and with better fortune in transit, he can make his presence felt when it matters. He is becoming expensive for punters to follow!
Suggested Bet: Union Gap @ $3.70
Rosehill RACE 8
#12 Substantial
Substantial is ready to peak! His run last start at Eagle Farm was outstanding behind a smart one; he looks well placed here stepping out to the 1500m. The Siyouni gelding has been crunched since markets opened, and I expect the flood of money to continue if the track shows any sign of being leaderish throughout the day. The former international looks to have this race at his mercy!
The people’s horse Democracy Manifest will start favourite despite failing last-start on a bottomless track. Barrier twenty-one could throw a spanner in the works for the well-backed commodity, and he would need to recapture his powerful turn of foot from earlier in his campaign if he is to figure. With the current conditions, I expect his quote to drift significantly, and I wonder if he will be close enough in the run to strike.
High Court looks over the odds after a consistent campaign. The Star Witness gelding was brave in defeat in the Tamworth Cup, and he should get the run of the race jumping from an inside barrier. He is rock-hard fit, and if the gaps appear at the right time, he could look the winner as the field enter the famous Rosehill straight. His record at the track and distance are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Substantial @ $5.00
Rosehill Race 9
#9 Wicklow
Wicklow was ultra-impressive, winning the Wagga Cup at his latest outing. The Twilight Son gelding stormed home from a minute back, and he covered more ground than the early settlers after jumping from barrier thirteen. The handicapper has somehow missed him here, and I expect him to go to another level with his exceptional soft track record. The wide barrier is his biggest obstacle.
Navajo Peak will start favourite after an impressive campaign to date. The Territories gelding produced an eye-catching run at Gosford, and he strips fitter for the day’s feature event. Barrier one will allow the four-year-old to sit closer to the speed, and if he runs out an assertive 2000m, he can figure in the shadows. I am unsure being hard up against the running rail will be the place to be late in the day.
Mount Popa looks over the odds. The class runner of the field has been building towards a peak run all preparation, and we saw glimpses of his best attacking the line late at Gosford. His best form reads incredibly well for this event, and if the rain continues, his price will disappear. The wide barrier and grandstand weight are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Wicklow @ $6.50
Rosehill Race 10
#10 Pretty Wild
Pretty Wild is starting to become expensive for punters to follow. The once ‘boom’ horse started her career in fine fashion and was targeted at lofty races. The Brazen Beau mare is better than her current form suggests, and she can bounce back on Saturday in a very winnable race. From a middle gate, she can sit midfield with cover, and if she is presented with her run at the right time, she can figure. She needs to recapture her mojo!
Anagain will start favourite after a handful of narrow misses. She was game in defeat behind a smart one at her latest outing, and she looks ready to peak over the six furlongs. From barrier thirteen, she will drift back, and if she can stay in touch with the leaders during the race’s early stages, she will loom in the shadows. Her winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Winning Verse is a must for all broader multiples and exotics. The Winning Rupert mare burnt the turf on top of the speed first-up at Gosford, and she is a winner second-up previously. From barrier eight, Kathy O’Hara will push the big girl forward, and if she catches her rivals napping midrace, the bird may have flown before the final furlong.
Suggested Bet: Pretty Wild @ $11.00
