Rosehill Gardens and Moonee Valley will host the feature programs this Saturday. The Group 2 Run To The Rose is the main event in western Sydney, while the Group 2 Feehan Stakes will attract Melbourne locals to Moonee Ponds. Join our experts as they outline their best bets on a Super Saturday of racing!
Rosehill Race 6
#6 I Am Me
Rosehill RACE 7
#5 Encap
Encap is ready to peak. The Capitalist gelding is coming off a string of narrow defeats, and the 1400m looks perfect at this stage of his campaign. From barrier one, he can sit in the box seat, and if he sees clear air as they run for the judge, he will prove too strong late. The Gary Portelli polish should always be considered, and he has been well-specked since markets opened. His winning record is the primary concern.
Tom Kitten was a brilliant first-up winner. The Harry Angel colt stalked the speed and blew away his rivals late. The Godolphin star will appreciate the step out in distance, and if he can reproduce a similar turn of foot late, he can win again. The carpark draw is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Encap @ $4.20
Rosehill Race 8
#10 Nadal
Nadal breathtakingly broke his maiden last start. The Xtravagant colt produced blistering closing sectionals, breaking all on-course clocks. From barrier two, he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, he can circle the small field and win. He has plenty of upside and can cause a massive upset on Saturday. Over the odds!
Libertad could be the real deal. The Russian Revolution colt is undefeated and deserves his shot at this level. From barrier three, he will roll forward, and if he can run out an assertive 1200m, he can continue to build the picket fence next to his name. The early speed battle may decide his fate during the first furlong. Big watch!
Suggested Bet: Nadal @ $23.00
Rosehill Race 9
#9 Argentia
Argentia is flying for her new stable. Both runs of this preparation have turned heads, and the form behind Buenos Noches reads incredibly well for this event. The step out in distance is ideal, and I expect her to produce a peak run for the campaign on Saturday. From barrier nine, she will sit midfield with cover, and if Chad Schofield presses the go button at the right time, she can fight out the finish. Her recent winning record is the primary concern.
The freakish Group 1 winner, Kovalica, resumes. The Ocean Park gelding broke rivals’ hearts during the Brisbane winter, and he looks to have a big spring ahead of him. The Chris Waller polish will attract market support, and the inform Kerrin McEvoy will take the ride for the injured James McDonald. The 1300m is his biggest challenge. Watch for the big boy late!
Suggested Bet: Argentia @ $6.50
Moonee Valley Race 8
#2 Rothfire
Rothfire can resume a winner and upset the world’s best sprinter, Giga Kick. The Rothesay gelding has a disgustingly good first-up record, and his performances over the 1000m have been nearly perfect. He won this race in 2022, and if he produces his customary speed out of the gates on Saturday, he will be hard to toss in the 2023 edition. He will give a good sight!
Imperatriz was a brilliant Group 1 William Reid winner at the track during the autumn. The I Am Invincible mare is undefeated and fresh, and the tight-turning Moonee Valley circuit suits her racing style and pattern. A recent jump-out will have her cherry ripe for a first-up tilt, and she has been well-supported in the market since acceptances. I am unsure that 1000m is advantageous.
Suggested Bet: Rothfire @ $5.00
Moonee Valley Race 9
#11 Globe
Globe arrives at Moonee Valley with an air of expectation. The Charm Spirit gelding is undefeated after four career starts, and he has done everything right to date. He steps up to weight-for-age conditions on Saturday for the first time, and a recent barrier trial should have him in good shape for a forward showing. He looks an exciting prospect and has a big spring and future ahead of him. Hard to toss!
Tuvalu is ready to win. The Kermadec gelding caught the eye of punters first-up in a hot-form race, and he usually performs well second-up. His record at the mile is outrageous, and he has performed admirably at the track in previous campaigns. If Blake Shinn can get the big boy on the bunny from barrier thirteen, the race could be over a long way from home. His destiny could be decided during the early stages of the race.
Suggested Bet: Globe @ $2.90