Race 1: Cabra-Vale Club Handicap (1300m) – Quackerjack
I expect support to come late for the three-year old just like it did at Randwick. Quackerjack ran a disappointing eighth over the same distance three week’s ago, but drew an unlucky wide draw jumping from barrier 11. He was held up in traffic down the straight after sitting well-off the speed on what was a tough ride for jockey Joshua Parr. Brenton Advulla saddles up this time around, and barrier 4 looks a lot more suitable right alongside race favourite Gem Song.
Bet Now: Rosehill Race 1
Race 2: Highway Handicap (1500m) – Rapture Miss (Each Way)
Was well back three week’s ago at Randwick, but did well to run home from dead last to finish sixth. Rapture Miss is up in trip here, but barrier 8 should suit her since she’s developed a bit of a reputation as a swooper. Unfamiliar with the Rosehill track, it’s doubtful she wins it, but has impressively placed in nearly 73% of her nine starts. Always looks impressive first-up, as we saw back in August during her win at Moruya.
Bet Now: Rosehill Race 2
Race 3: Gloaming Stakes (1800m) – No Bet
It’s a small edition of the Gloaming Stakes this year with just six final acceptances. Five of the six runners are at short-ish odds, but this race is one to watch for punters after last year’s winner Ace High went on to win the Group 1 Spring Stakes (2000m) at Randwick a fortnight later. Race favourite Tarka looks the horse to beat this time around remaining undefeated in his last three starts, although I could make a case for Thinkin’ Big given he knows this track and has a handy record first-up. Since none of these three-year olds are familiar with the 1800m journey however, it figures as one to watch and not much more.
Bet Now: Rosehill Race 3
Race 4: JRA Trophy (2400m) – Miss Admiration
Still looking for her second career win after winning over 2000m at Ballarat back in March. Miss Admiration finished third and fifth in her last too starts, which probably doesn’t thrill punters, but she ran home hard on both occasions. It will take a mighty effort to run down Sin To Win second-up, although Mick Price’s four-year old looked up to the task at Caulfield over 1700m earlier this month. She had plenty of work to do sitting third from last down the straight to storm down the outside and nearly pinch a place. That same turn of foot should be on display this weekend.
Bet Now: Rosehill Race 4
Race 5: Shannon Stakes (1500m) – Noire
It’s another small field but this one is really a two horse race between Noire and Youngstar for mind. Chris Waller’s talented duo are likely to finish first and second, and it turns out, it’s a bit of a coin flip calling a winner. I like Noire based on her run in the Sheraco Stakes a fortnight ago. She finished second behind Invincibella, but her late sectionals were the best of the day. There’s also a strong 2-1 second-up record to her name and she’s showed back in June she can handle 1500m and beyond.
Bet Now: Rosehill Race 5
Race 6: Golden Pendant (1400m) – Dixie Blossoms
Dixie Blossoms looked like one worth a black book after her third-place run in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 1. The six-year old sat mid-field early on jumping from barrier 5 and was nudged on the final turn by eventual race-winner Comin’ Through. I thought she did a great job of responding well though, and her run three-wide down the straight to lose by a head was impressive. It’s another tough field with Daysee Doom and Champagne Cuddles drawing favourable barriers, while Invincibella will be tough to beat down the straight. But Dixie Blossoms showed plenty of class last start and is as good a chance as anyone.
Bet Now: Rosehill Race 6
Race 7: Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) – The Autumn Sun
Take your pick in this one. There’s a handful of runners you could make a case for, but The Autumn Sun was so unlucky in the Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) two week’s ago that he simply has to bounce back. Down in trip should help, and barrier 10 might actually prove handy since it gives him plenty of room to avoid the traffic jam he ran into at Rosehill last time out. Graff’s sectionals are as impressive as ever, but it remains to be seen how he handles the dry surface this prep.
Bet Now: Rosehill Race 7
Race 8: Gow-Gates Handicap (1400m) – Fierce Impact
I’d feel a little more confident in this tip if the Japanese import was jumping from an inside draw, but barrier 10 isn’t the end of the world for Fierce Impact. He’s first-up on Saturday and well-suited to this distance, which could be said for plenty of other runners in the field. Fortunately Matthew Smith’s five-year old is the freshest of the bunch, especially compared to race favourite The Avenger, who has been up for a while. Fierce Impact is also helped out with a light 54kg’s.
Bet Now: Rosehill Race 8
Race 9: Fuden Handicap (2000m) – Quick Defence (each way)
Really challenged The Lord Mayor over the same distance at Randwick earlier in September and was unlucky not to win. There was no shame in running second though, especially after storming down the outside and swooping in late down the straight. The two meet again on Saturday, and it’s likely we see Quick Defence race home from a similar position jumping from barrier 14. This race is very open though, so I’m not confident backing him on the nose after drifting in the market all week.
