
Rosehill Gardens and Caulfield host the feature programs this Saturday. The Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes is the main event in the western suburbs of Sydney, while the Group 1 Underwood Stakes will attract Melbourne locals to the heath. Join our experts as they outline their best bets on a Super Saturday of racing!
Rosehill Race 6
#1 Atishu
Rosehill RACE 7
#7 Waterford
Waterford made an impressive return to racing behind the talented Golden Mile. The Awtaad gelding will appreciate the step out to 1500m, and his second-up record is near perfect. The current track conditions play into his favour, and with even luck in transit, I expect him to prove too strong late for his more experienced rivals. His autumn preparation was pleasing, and if he stays sound, he can take his career to the next level during the spring.
Williamsburg showed an impressive turn of foot first-up from a spell. The Snitzel entire is a winner second-up in a previous campaign, and he deserves his shot at this level. He strips fitter after his recent outing, and I suspect this race has been a long-range target. The enigmatic four-year-old has plenty of upside, and if he can continue to improve and progress in his races, he can spoil the party for the well-supported favourite. His inconsistency is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Waterford @ $2.90
Rosehill Race 8
#4 King Colorado
King Colorado impressed first-up from a spell against the older horses. The Kingman colt was blocked for a run at a crucial stage and finished the race under a stranglehold. The lightly raced three-year-old oozes talent, and if he had seen daylight earlier fresh, he would have figured in the finish. His trial since was mind-blowing, and I can’t wait to see him storm home on Saturday. From barrier nine, he can sit midfield with cover, and if Jason Collett presses the ‘go’ button at the right time, he will be winning. Big watch!
Cylinder will start favourite after an impressive second-up victory in the Run To The Rose. The Exceed And Excel colt won from an impossible position, and am I expecting a peak performance for the preparation third-up from a spell. From the middle draw, he can roll forward and sit outside of the lead, and if he doesn’t leave the kettle on during the early stages of the race, he may prove hard to run down. Too consistent to dismiss!
Suggested Bet: King Colorado @ $6.00
Caulfield Race 7
#2 Veight
Veight was too slick first-up over 1200m. The Grunt colt will appreciate the step out to 1400m, and he should get the run of the race from the perfect inside draw. The McEvoy camp has a high opinion of the talented three-year-old, and only a bottomless track in the autumn lowered his colours. He will figure in the finish if the gaps appear as they run for home. I am slightly concerned the form around his fresh victory may not stand the test of time.
Steparty is a freak. The undefeated Artie Schiller colt was an arrogant winner fresh in a hot field, and he had to do it the hard way, facing the breeze throughout. The seven furlongs won’t be an issue, and he strips fitter from his Moonee Valley victory. From barrier eight, he needs to be positive out of the barriers and find the bunny, and if he crosses successfully early, it could be all over bar the shouting. A flat second-up run and a challenging passage are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Veight @ $4.00
Caulfield Race 8
#5 Goldman
Goldman can win despite jumping from another suburb. The Melbourne Cup-bound Verdi gelding was okay fresh without threatening, and I expect a dramatic improvement on Saturday based on his second-up record. He is undefeated at the trip, and the flood of early money indicates a bold performance is on the card. If he can find a spot in the running line, or preferably pilot the field, he will give a good sight on straightening.
Floating Artist will have supporters after a last-start romp at Moonee Valley. The Nathaniel gelding will benefit from the victory, and he finds his pet distance. The forever young eight-year-old looks destined to feature in some of our time-honoured events during the spring, and he is simply too tough and gritty to dismiss here. The wide gate is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Goldman @ $7.50
Caulfield Race 9
#9 Right You Are
Right You Are is a super honest customer. The So You Think gelding was good first-up behind a rock-hard fit opponent, and the step out to 1800m is ideal at this stage of his preparation. The consistent seven-year-old deserves his shot at Group 1 glory, and he should enjoy a soft run in transit from a perfect inside draw. If his more fancied opponents go to war during the early-speed battle, he could be Johnny on the spot late. Over the odds!
Attrition is ready to win. Both runs of this preparation have been full of merit, and he has been screaming out for the longer trip all campaign. From barrier fifteen, he can sit midfield with some cover, and if he makes his run at the right time, he can gobble up his rivals late. I suspect this race has been pencilled in for some time, and the early market support should have his supporters and owners up and about. Watch for him late.
Suggested Bet: Right You Are @ $21.00