A tidy little six-race card rolls into Rosehill Gardens on Wednesday — the perfect warm-up before Golden Eagle Day at Randwick on Saturday.
The forecast suggests a bit of rain might be about, but that won’t dampen what looks an entertaining afternoon of racing. Our best of the day? A sharp Waller-trained gelding lining up in Race 4 who looks ready to peak.
With the Bendigo Cup also taking centre stage down south, here’s our race-by-race look at Rosehill — who we like, why, and where the value might be hiding.
YATTAZOU (12) looks a genuine winning hope to kick things off.
The Zoustar filly took nice improvement from her first-up run, finishing strongly into fourth at Warwick Farm a fortnight ago after being held up and forced to switch across heels at the 200m. That was the same race as her key rival Peace Bird, and she arguably should’ve finished closer.
She drops in with just 54.5kg, draws perfectly again, and now has two solid runs under her belt — including track experience here first-up. With even luck in transit, she’s ready to hit her straps.
| 12. Yattazou (3) J: Tim Clark 54.5kg 5×64T: Chris Waller |
THEBUDGIESMUGLA (4) is one to keep very safe after an eye-catching Australian debut at Hawkesbury a fortnight back.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Kiwi import was excellent there over 2000m — posted wide throughout, but still balanced up in the straight and let down with purpose late to grab second, less than a length off Format. He meets that runner 1kg better this time, which could prove telling.
Dylan Gibbons sticks, which is a big tick, and a bit of rain around would only help his cause — both his New Zealand wins at Te Rapa and Ellerslie came on soft ground. With natural improvement second-up, he’s right in the mix.
| 4. Thebudgiesmugla (3) J: Dylan Gibbons 57kg 1x1x2T: Bjorn Baker |
SILVANITO (8) can be a hard one to catch, but he’s as honest as they come and deserves plenty of respect — especially with a perfect four-from-four placing record here at Rosehill.
Nathan Doyle has him humming along nicely this prep, now rock-hard fit after three runs in. His latest at the Kensington track over 1400m was full of merit — settled midfield, stuck on gamely, and really found the line over the last 50m to grab third.
The small rise in trip looks ideal, and with Jason Collett jumping aboard from a soft draw, he gets every chance to finally break through.
| 8. Silvanito (5) J: Jason Collett 56.5kg 0x253T: Nathan Doyle |
You’d expect the Chris Waller-trained UNLIMITED (2) to have plenty of admirers here.
Also entered for Saturday’s Gold Cup, the Irish import gets James McDonald back on board — the pair last teamed up for a win at Canterbury just over a year ago. His latest effort, a clear second to Gilded Water at Caulfield a fortnight back, reads exceptionally well given that horse went on to finish runner-up in the Ladbrokes Geelong Cup.
From barrier 5, he maps beautifully, and the slight drop in grade looks a big plus. If he turns up in the same form, he’s going to take a stack of beating.
| 2. Unlimited (5) J: James McDonald 58kg 06312T: Chris Waller |
Keen to see NINETTE (8) back in action.
The Zoustar mare showed her ability last prep when breaking her maiden in style at Wyong, sitting on speed from a wide draw and powering through heavy rain to score by over a length. It was a tough, professional win that hinted at better things to come.
Her recent Rosehill trial was another tick — travelled comfortably on the speed and wasn’t asked for much until late, finding the line under her own steam. Tyler Schiller sticks, which is a big plus, and with a bit of tempo expected up front, this looks a very winnable kick-off point to her campaign.
| 8. Ninette (6) J: Tyler Schiller 56kg 21xT: M, W & J Hawkes |
The draw hasn’t done her any favours, but FLEETING SPIRIT (7) still looks one of the key players for the Ryan and Alexiou yard.
She was a touch stiff last time out on the Kensington track — buried away on the fence with nowhere to go before finally seeing daylight late, charging home to grab third and arguably should’ve won.
With two solid runs over 1200m now under her belt, she’s rock-hard fit and ready for this step up in trip. If she gets a cleaner run in transit, she’s right in the finish.
| 7. Fleeting Spirit (12) Scratched: | |||