Tips and race-by-race guide for Rosehill on Sunday

Race 1 – 12.15PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1500 METRES)

3. Satness has not done a lot wrong in two runs back. The seven-year-old was narrowly beaten first up in Midway company despite being sent around at $41 over 1300m. The Robert and Luke Price-trained gelding then stuck towards the inside of the Kembla Grange track late in The Gong meeting, which was a disadvantage. Jockey Brock Ryan had little choice having drawn barrier one. There was merit to that performance despite the four-length margin. He comes back slightly in grade again, looks to peak now third up and maps to get favours on the speed. It’s probably fair to question the desire of 12. Trafalgar Square, as evidenced by her strike rate, but she sets up well here. Her two most recent runs have been rock solid, the latest a third behind The Blade. Gets out to 1500m now, draws well and can be saved for the last crack. Less time for her to think about it! 7. Callistemon made late ground when fourth at Kembla Grange first up in Midway company. Three wins from 23 starts, so she’s no world beater, but is a deserved favourite. 2. Tameloa has been freshened six weeks since overachieving in the Spring Champion as a $201 chance. Respect 1. Peace Officer back in grade.
How to play it: Satness each way.

Step Aside’s (right) form tapered off last campaign following this win at Randwick in April, but the Chris Waller-trained gelding has won three from six first up.Credit: Getty Images

Race 2 – 12.50PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1800 METRES)

2. Natoya kept finding the line in testing conditions at Kembla Grange last start. She did not look comfortable but never shirked her task. Bestower franked the form line by winning as favourite on Wednesday at Warwick Farm. The inside draw on Sunday could prove significant as it looks a tactical race on paper. Expect Josh Parr to look to have the four-year-old mare closer in the run. The John Sargent-trained mare fronts up for her sixth run of her first Australian preparation, but still looks to be improving. There was not a lot between Natoya and 5. Horizons in Midway company recently. The biggest asset Horizons looks to possess here is her tactical speed. She maps to get control in front and is most effective when dictating. She fought hard to hold off Inspired Legend at Canterbury last start. 4. Full Hao is racing well without winning. The blinkers go on for the first time and will perhaps help her find that extra length or two. Against her is the map. Could settle last. 1. Eclair Encore comes back to three- and four-year-old company, and the extra trip is no issue.
How to play it: Natoya to win.

Race 3 – 1.25PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1500 METRES)

Good luck here, punters. This is a lottery. Even more so when it comes to Highway Handicaps. Went wide looking for a roughie and found 11. Highly Tempted. Of course, his strike rate of one win from 17 starts is a concern, but the four-year-old ran so well in a much deeper Highway than this behind Lunaite and Madrina that she garners respect at odds. Since then, she was OK at Newcastle behind Viktor. The 1500m looks fine for the son of Sooboog given what he did over a mile last campaign. 7. Stormbringer has hit the ground for trainer Matt Dale this preparation, winning two from three, the latest a TAB Federal in Canberra. Looks one-paced, but he’ll take up a position and run another honest race. The gelding is now eligible for Highways after three runs. Have found it pays to score up Highway runners with that profile, as it suggests it’s a target race. 2. Zucchero is a lightly raced Dundeel five-year-old that resumes as a winner at Scone. There will be improvement to come off that performance and second up 1500m looks ideal.
How to play it: Highly Tempted each way.

Race 4 – 2PM VINNIE @ YARRAMAN PARK HANDICAP (1500 METRES)

2. Dark Simba was not suited first up at Caulfield. The race turned into a sprint home and he was forced to settle a long way back from a wide draw. That was in stronger grade than this. Despite finishing sixth, his last 400m split was the 10th quickest across the CF Orr Stakes meeting where five of the races were group races. The Hayes stable looked to have found a perfect race for this four-year-old back in grade. It’s a very winnable assignment on paper. He handles wet or dry tracks, maps to be closer and ripped through the grades last campaign. 5. Swift Legendbeat home 8. Willie Oppa at Canterbury last start. Both runs have merit. There looks to be too big of a price discrepancy between the pair, especially given the barriers on Sunday. Willie Oppa was only first up with Chris Waller scratching the four-year-old from a winnable race at Gosford on Thursday. Swift Legend is talented and chasing three straight. The barrier doesn’t help. 9. Mortal Halo could not reel in the leader and eventual winner, Ivan’s Hero, at this track and over this trip second up, but beat the rest easily. He won his maiden in good style at Scone first up.
How to play it: Dark Simba to win.

Race 5 – 2.35PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

9. Plaintiff looks up to winning better races than this. She perhaps isn’t alone in that regard as this looks a race worth following on paper as it features several promising three-year-olds. This race 12 months ago was, in fact, won by Private Harry. Plaintiff’s win on debut was better than the length margin suggests. She showed a brilliant turn of foot in a sprint home, which was backed up on the clock, landing good late bets in the process. The Zoustar filly broke 33 seconds for her last 600m split. Maps to give away a head start, but is as exciting as any runner here. Tim Clark left nothing to chance aboard 7. Supermassive last start and expect the same on Sunday. The niggle is staying at 1200m third up given the son of Snitzel profiles to get out over further in time, but he’ll be difficult to chase down if he finds the front as he did at Canterbury to break his maiden. 4. Nitro won from a seemingly impossible spot at Warwick Farm on debut before settling too far back at Rosehill last start. His lack of tactical speed will catch up with him in better company. Gets blinkers first time. 6. United States attacked the line like a coming winner first up and Swordplay has since won via that race.

How to play it: Plaintiff to win.

Race 6 – 3.10PM CATANACH’S JEWELLERS HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

6. Hawker Hall was brave first up at Kembla Grange on a deteriorating track as rain fell throughout the meeting. Throw into the mix that he was eye-balled throughout by Cassiel. He kicked like the winner only for Spywire to chase him down late. The winner had to run sharp closing splits to catch him, and they beat the rest by three lengths. The Kris Lees-trained speedster may have been flattered by the ability to handle wet ground, but he’s equally effective on dry tracks. Looks the leader again. 7. Crepe Myrtle has put two together in easier grade and first up she ran second to the flying Lyles. The Godolphin mare gets her chance to measure up in Saturday company now, but she’s hardly put a foot wrong since being transferred to Joe Pride. There may be more talented mares in training than 4. Dollar Magic, but there would be fewer that are more genuine. She’s had five runs over the Rosehill 1100m for five minor placings. She goes into everything. 5. Hanau has a pattern of improving second up, but expect a forward showing fresh having won a recent trial.
How to play it: Hawker Hall to win.

Race 7 – 3.45PM CHANDON HANDICAP (1300 METRES)

3. Flying Thinker was beaten near seven lengths at Kembla Grange first up, but she had excuses. The five-year-old fired up in behind the speed when unable to dictate and as a result, blew out badly late. One of her most impressive performances came at Rosehill, beating the boys. You have to take her on trust, but she is better than what she showed two weeks ago. Comeback kid Sam Clipperton combines with her second up. Expect his instructions to be positive from the outset. If she can find the front, and a rhythm, a sharp form reversal isn’t beyond her. 8. Super Bright can be a dangerous mare on her day. She didn’t get a lot of luck first up at Canterbury, but that appears to be the best way to ride her. Blowout chance at odds. 13. Bella Corazon kept closing when third to Weeping Woman at Kembla Grange first up, which was an on-speed dominated race. Half sister to Winx 7. Wings Of Desire has found a new home with Grahame Begg and returned a winner in Melbourne despite covering ground.
How to play it: Flying Thinker to win.

Race 8 – 4.20PM TAB HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

2. Whinchat is a high-cruising style of horse that likes to get his rivals chasing. First things first, and that is he needs to jump on terms. He misses the kick occasionally, which puts him out of play. Has a great Rosehill record and looks set to hit the ground running fresh. 9. Mickey’s Medal got a long way back at Canberra first up, loomed to win but peaked on his run when second to the race-fit Kintyre. He can settle closer, strips fitter and he too loves Rosehill. If the leaders overdo it in front, look for 1. West Of Africa to be rattling home at double-figure odds. He’s an honest type whose natural style is to get back in the field during the run, but can unleash great splits when things pan out his way. 5. Mare of Mt Buller made up ground first up at Newcastle, will be improved and has a good second-up record.
How to play it: Winchat each way.

Race 9 – 5PM CAPTIVANT @ KIA ORA HANDICAP (2000 METRES)

We must forgive 4. Hurstville Zagreb for failing at Kembla Grange last start. He didn’t look at all comfortable in the shifty ground. The four-year-old had excuses the start prior, too, settling outside the speed in a race set up for the closers. He’ll appreciate getting back on top of the ground on Sunday. If he can carve across from the draw and do his own thing in front, they will be doing well to chase him down. We saw that three starts back at Warwick Farm. Early pressure is key to his chance. 10. United Kingdom has the right form lines to be competitive here, beating home Hurstville Zagreb two weeks ago. He draws inside so needs the breaks to fall his way given his pattern. 2. Belle Detelle gets a pass mark for her effort last Saturday. She’s now out to 2000m and on the quick back-up. Looks to be building towards another win, but it’s time for her to deliver now. 5. King Pedro was sent around $1.24 at Gosford last start, and it turned out to be over the odds. Gains confidence from that.
How to play it: Hurstville Zagreb to win.

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Race 10 – 5.40PM THE INGLIS INFLUENCE HANDICAP (1300 METRES)

3. Step Aside’s form tapered off last campaign, but the Chris Waller-trained gelding has always been a good fresh performer, winning three from six first up. First up last time in he held off King Of Roseau. The six-year-old also races well at his home track, Rosehill. Love the soft gate, too. It gives apprentice Siena Grima, who is now on loan to Waller, the chance to do no work early. When ridden to come through the field, he can produce a brilliant turn of foot at this level. 10. Bartolf ran on well at Rosehill last start from well back, with the drop back from 1300m to 1200m counting against him there. A dry track appears imperative to him producing his best, hence he was scratched from Kembla Grange. 17. Theblade got control at this track and over this trip last start, so may have been flattered, but he won with authority. How much work he is forced to do early from the wide draw will decide his fate. 2. Tuned does not draw well either, but the gelding operation has done the trick this time back.
How to play it: Step Aside to win.

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

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