Race-by-race tips and previews for Rosehill on Saturday

1 month ago 12

By Ray Hickson

January 29, 2026 — 5.00pm

Race 1: 12:35PM TAB HIGHWAY PLATE (1500M)

The early market really latched on to 18. Regal Problem to the point she’s probably a bit too short but no doubt the horse to beat on her excellent fresh effort. It was in trying conditions and she was on the back foot out, struck some trouble mid-race and still ran on pretty well. She will need to get things right in another big field but hard to deny her chances. 12. Hannah’s Bridge is another promising mare who has won her past two. She’s finished nicely from just off the pace in both of them. It’ll be interesting to see how she measures up. 14. Roses Imminente hasn’t had the greatest preparation, she was scratched at the barriers from a Highway between her good fourth at Randwick and her last start at Rosehill two weeks ago. Happy enough to forgive that. Capable of running well. 17. Tom Vegas was placed in a Highway over this track and distance in September and started favourite first-up at Dubbo behind Hannah’s Bridge. Blinkers on and a chance.
How to play it: Regal Problem WIN.

They will be off and racing at Rosehill on Saturday.

Race 2: 1:10PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1350M)

13. Attractiveness is eligible for easier races but has found a Midway that looks within her reach with the light weight and soft barrier. Dominant in her maiden win, probably just left a bit exposed early when run down on the line last time at Gosford. Lands right behind the speed and should have the chance to make a play for the win. 2. Alabama State is always around the mark at this level but just doesn’t get the best of luck at times. Again hampered by the outside gate so it’ll require some James McDonald magic but he’s more than good enough to be in the finish. 3. Cryptonic wasn’t disgraced when striking a wet track at Rosehill two weeks ago. Rain during a race isn’t ideal and there’s every chance he can bounce back with the inside gate and dry track. 6. Danish Prince proved disappointing when in the market in a Midway a month ago but did bounce back to a degree at Newcastle. On pacer who can give a sight.
How to play it: Attractiveness WIN.

Race 3: 1:45PM ARROWFIELD CANONBURY STAKES (1100M)

Mulled over this race quite a bit, and came up with 4. Eviction Notice who resumes since the Breeders’ Plate where he led as a $3.30 chance and compounded. Likely just found the occasion too much and his two trials since have been a lot more controlled. Probable leader and if he gets it right could give them something to chase down. 1. Incognito is one of the early Slipper favourites and he won that Breeders’ Plate, as a $5 chance. Two trials back have been solid, the latest against older Group class horses, and his price tells you he’s got the score on the board. Hard to beat. 5. Written In Munny wanted the race over in 200m at his only start, going out way too hard and weakening. A couple of significant gear changes so he’s worth another chance. 8. Hidrix ($1.7m full brother to Apocalyptic) and 7. Confederation ($650,000 yearling) are on debut for the Chris Waller stable and have both trialled okay without being completely exposed. Market a pointer.
How to play it: Eviction Notice WIN.

Race 4: 2:20PM WIDDEN STAKES (1100M)

Whether the form around 1. Pearl Of Dubai’s debut is strong remains to be seen but in isolation her run was full of promise. She was exposed throughout and kept coming to the line beaten under half a length by Thrill Hunter. There’s nothing wrong with how she’s worked home in her couple of trials and she can be hard to hold off at each-way odds. 6. Chilly Girl is a well-bred filly on debut and has shown speed in both her trials, winning the latest quite well at Rosehill. Imagine she uses the draw to be prominent and has a case on what we’ve seen. 9. Miss Scandal has a few raps on her and that’s likely because she’s been held together in her trials, one a close second to Incognito and the other a third to the unraced Home And Dry. She’s well fancied and have to respect her. 2. Hardanger has the blinkers on after her debut third behind Warwoven. You’d think she will be pleased with 1100m given how well she ran on late in that race and is one of the chances.
How to play it: Pearl Of Dubai EACH-WAY.

Race 5: 2:55PM PETALUMA HANDICAP (1350M)

5. Interjection ran a very nice race last week especially considering he had little chance the way the day panned out and he found himself in another postcode before running into fourth behind Althoff. Huge barrier turnaround for him, he was impressive winning prior to that and just needs to bring it to Rosehill to go close. 2. Yoshinobu is another whose barrier fortunes have changed, he found himself near last when resuming on the Gold Coast a few weeks ago and did a good job to fill fifth. Was a winner over 1200m here in July, draws one and is a good chance. 10. Sovereign Hill, also engaged Canterbury Friday night, was too good for a small field when resuming at night two weeks ago. Lightly raced and always shown promise, definite chance if he’s here. 3. Little Beginning has been game at his past two for seconds behind Interjection and Althoff and that sort of form has to be respected. Goes forward from the wide gate and can give cheek.
How to play it: Interjection WIN.

Race 6: 3:30PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1500M)

7. Cross Tasman picks himself and the market is onto it as he chases four straight wins. The past couple have been dominant, one on good ground and the latest on heavy, he has tactical nous and with the step up in class he’s able to get down in the weights. Hard to go past. 4. Cavalier Charles is a very honest performer and if you take out the favourite this is no harder than when he chased home Whinchat at Wyong a few weeks ago. Drops a couple of grades and should run well again. 10. Amplify has been kept fresh since she produced an amazing finish to reel in Alabama Fox when resuming at Randwick over a month ago. An extra 100m helps, whether she wants a bit further we’ll know shortly. 3. Just Party always in the mix, he’s racing consistently without winning, he is a lot better on top of the ground compared to last start on the heavy so that’s a plus.
How to play it: Cross Tasman WIN.

Race 7: 4:05PM PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1200M)

4. Roselyn’s Star is well-placed to go one better than first-up when chasing home Hawker Hall at the Gold Coast two weeks back. The winner was never challenged, so it was a great effort for this gelding to make up the ground he did late. Smaller field, draws to be wherever he wants off the pace and is comfortably the one to beat. 3. Eye Of The Fire has come back in great form and that was evidenced by how he performed on a heavy track second-up when bumping into the promising Bev’s Nine. It backed up his first-up win and he’s sure to run well again. 8. Iron Man has reacted well to a stable change with wins at Coffs Harbour and Gosford in December. He’s proven in this sort of race and, has a handy record at the track and with his newfound confidence, he is worth including.
How to play it: Roselyn’s Star WIN.

Race 8: 4:45PM JRA PLATE (1200M)

There looks to be competition up front which might play into the hands of a stalker so 7. Fire Star fits that bill well. He didn’t run out the 1400m at Randwick last week after being exposed a bit early, he loomed up to challenge but his run ended as the leader kicked in. Won three from four at the track, gets that soft run and looks a danger in what is an open race. 4. Willaidow won this last year when first-up from a break and there’s nothing in his trials to suggest he’s not back in good order. Will bounce right on speed from the draw and McDonald has a good record on him so that booking is significant. 2. The Instructor made the promising King’s Secret work very hard to beat him first-up at Canterbury, didn’t run up to expectation in the Magic Millions Sprint. Tough competitor who could bounce back. 1. Zarastro was only beaten narrowly by Joliestar at Group 1 level in the winter which is strong form. Hasn’t raced in Sydney for over three years, trialled well in his latest hit-out and could give cheek.
How to play it: Fire Star WIN.

Willaidow, left, gets the nose down to beat Iowna Merc in the Southern Cross Stakes in February last year.

Race 9: 5:20PM SPELLING AT COOLMORE MT WHITE HANDICAP (2000M)

7. Willie Oppa has put it all together with wins at two of his last three starts and this doesn’t look to be any harder. The race did work out well for him at Kensington last time and he has a trickier draw to contend with but with a little bit of luck and a good ride, expect it to hold his form. 2. Cormac T appeals as a big improver second-up. Usually lifts with a run under his belt. He’ll be fitter, the 2000m is a much better trip and he’ll get an economical run from the draw. Go well. 8. Existential Bob was solid in the market but had a tough run when circling the field and hitting the lead a long way out behind Willie Oppa at Kensington. His previous form suggested he was working up to a win. Probably has to push forward from the gate but happy to give him another chance. 5. Harlow Mist found herself in front and was untroubled in leading all the way at Kensington over 1800m. Like to see her put two big runs together and she’ll have the chance to do that.
How to play it: Willie Oppa WIN.

Race 10: 5:55PM KIA ORA BLOODLINES TO HEADLINES HANDICAP (1200M)

11. Zumbo was confidently supported two weeks ago on a wet track and she fought hard before going down in a blanket finish. Looks to get a nice run, last time confirmed she’s up to this sort of level and a more consistent surface helps. Has to run well. Can’t let 12. Better Late go around without keeping him safe. Good gate and he isn’t out of it. 3. Eagle Express is an interesting runner from the Chris Waller stable, has been racing honestly in Victoria and resumes with a couple of jump outs under her belt. It’s a very winnable race and the market will give us a guide to how she measures up. 6. Sequista fought it out to score narrowly at Wyong to consolidate her development this time in. Can be in the finish again. 4. Stormland impressed in a small field at Canterbury and if he lines up instead of Friday night he’s a definite chance too.
How to play it: Zumbo EACH-WAY.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au