Winter feature racing continues with the running of the Listed WJ McKell Cup at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday, June 27th.
The weather has been vastly improved in Sydney this week and we’ve subsequently landed on a Soft (5) at publish, while the rail will be set out six metres around the entire course.
Check out this week’s Rosehill tip sheet below.
She Swings finished second, beaten half a length here when resuming before a rare flat effort last time out. I’m happy to put a line through that most recent effort, and with only 53.5kgs in tow, she can fight out the finish again.
| 14. She Swings (7) J: Alysha Collett 53.5kg 24×25T: David Pfieffer | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 7 at this track Midway Bm72 on May 30 over 1100m, on a wet track; 0.5 len behind All The Way Mae carrying 53kg at $14. Second run from a spell got back early 5th of 8 at this track Midway Bm72 on June 13 over 1200m, slow going 4 len behind Smashing Time carrying 54kg at $4. Frustrating mare expected to go close over this trip. | |||
Having stripped fitter with a couple of fair efforts first and second up this time, Saintly Sands returned to winning form with a dominant performance in Class 1 company before repeating the dose in BM58 company at Scone last time out. She steps out this week in peak order, and while she will need some luck in the ride from a potentially sticky draw, she’ll relish a soft track.
| 12. Saintly Sands (13) J: Alysha Collett 56kg x3511T: Rodney Northam | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.75 len at Scone Bm58 June 9 over 1700m on a soft track defeating Ocean Tsunami with 57kg at $2.60. Before that favourite; ran on strongly from last on the turn and won by 5 len at Warren Cl1-Sw June 1 over 1600m in soft going defeating Exorbitant Miss carrying 54kg at $3.40. Going well and looks up to this tougher contest. | |||
Having returned to action with a competitive performance to fill the minors here at Rosehill, beaten only a length and a half by the likes of Couples Retreat and Confidentiality last month, Benevac progressed to an agonizingly close miss in another BM72 sprint here last time out. Fitter third-up, this is a great opportunity for him to go one better.
| 3. Benevac (10) J: Adam Hyeronimus 58.5kg 40×32T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming 3rd of 11 at this track 3&4yo Bm72 on May 30 over 1100m, on heavy track; 1.5 len behind Couples Retreat carrying 57kg at $26. Second run from a spell 2nd of 13 at this track 3&4yo Bm72 on June 13 over 1100m, on a slow track; nose behind Shropshire Lad with 57kg at $9.50. Fitter now and making headway. Doesn’t have to improve much to win this. | |||
Tarzing is yet to turn in a poor performance in four appearances since debuting, winning two of three starts during his debut prep, while he returned to action earlier this month to fill the minors behind Surf’s Up over this route. Having won his only other second up assignment so far, he was also competitive on a soft track and has drawn ideally this week under the in-form Siena Grima.
| 6. Tarzing (5) J: Siena Grima 58kg 113×3T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months ran on strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 8 at this track 3&4yo Bm72 on June 13 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Surf’s Up carrying 54.5kg at $4.20. Previously second-up won by 0.5 len at Geelong Bm66 January 14 over 1312m defeating Grande Terre carrying 58.5kg at $4.40. Back in good shape and is among the chances. | |||
Surf’s Up has continued to improve with each start since resuming, culminating in a strong effort to beat some classy opposition right here at this track and distance last time out. She clearly loves the Rosehill conditions; she steps out this week in peak order and has options in the run from the rails draw.
| 1. Surf’s Up (1) J: Siena Grima 59.5kg x4231T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Most recently favourite; won by 1.4 len at this track 3&4yo Bm72 June 13 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Damien carrying 56kg at $3.10. Before that made significant ground from the rear of the field 3rd of 15 at Randwick F&M Bm78 on May 23 over 1400m, slow going 0.9 len behind Declichy Boulevard with 56.5kg at $5. Hard to ignore her latest win, keep safe. | |||
After dusting off the cobwebs with a decent performance to finish seventh, albeit only beaten a length at Randwick when resuming in April, King Pedro has since finished the runner up in races at Gosford and back here at Rosehill, finding form around some credible opposition. His latest run over the 2000m looked to be one of a horse crying out for further, he gets the mile and a half this time, and a substantial drop in the weights into this contest also enhances his claims.
| 9. King Pedro (2) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 54.5kg 2×722T: Tom Charlton | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run 2nd of 9 at this track Bm78 on June 13 over 2000m, on a slow track; nose behind Nobler carrying 57.5kg at $4.40. Before that ran on from midfield; 2nd of 16 at Gosford Bm78 on May 9 over 2100m, neck behind Monopolistic carrying 58.5kg at $12. Proven at the trip and due for a change of luck. | |||
All three of his performances have been full of merit this time in, and Hovland was rewarded for his consistency and improving form when kicking clear to win in BM72 company at Warwick Farm earlier this month. Having won multiple times on soft going, the 1800m looks ideal at this point of his preparation, and it looks a great opportunity for him to transition back into Saturday metro company.
| 9. Hovland (4) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 57.5kg 6×231T: Tom Charlton | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start favourite; won by 0.8 len at Warwick Farm Bm72 June 3 over 1600m in soft going defeating Elle Hudson with 59.5kg at $2.50. The race before that 3rd of 8 at Warwick Farm Bm72 on May 20 over 1600m, on heavy track; 2.75 len behind Superfabulistic with 59.5kg at $4.80. Leading player proven at the trip. | |||
While yet to strike in four runs back from a spell, Zaphod has undoubtedly improve for each of them, and after only just being denied in a Gosford Gold Cup two runs back, he again filled the minors behind the likes of Portland in the Lord Mayors Cup over this route last month. He’s been kept fresh, kept under virtually identical conditions and with even luck in the run, this looks his opportunity to strike.
| 6. Zaphod (1) J: Andrew Gibbons 55kg x4723T: Kris Lees | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start 3rd of 18 at this track in the LR Mayors Cup on May 30 over 2000m, on a wet track; 0.5 len behind Portland with 53.5kg at $21. The run before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 13 at Gosford in the LR Gosfordcup on May 9 over 2100m, 1.0 len behind Asterix carrying 53kg at $13. Doesn’t have to improve much to win this. | |||
Ready To Shine has been a model of consistency this time in and has finished worse than second just once in his last five trips to the races, winning a couple of midweek metro contests at Warwick Farm most notably. He was freshened before returning to only just miss in BM88 company at Canterbury earlier this month, and with natural improvement for that effort, I think he can turn in a cheeky performance in something like this at nice odds.
| 8. Ready To Shine (14) J: Siena Grima 58.5kg 15212T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 2nd of 14 at Canterbury Bm88 on June 8 over 1100m, 1.2 len behind Istolea Merc carrying 54kg at $6. Before that ran on from midfield and won by 1.75 len at Warwick Farm Cg&E Bm72 April 15 over 1200m defeating Swift Legend carrying 59kg at $7. In career best form and stays in the mix. | |||
Mr Chaplin returned to action with a fine performance to win, and something like this looks a nice next point of call for him. While he mixed his form during his last prep in the UK, Mr Chaplin did manage to strike over a mile at Newmarket most notably, while his first run in Australia when hitting the line to win at Randwick earlier this month was obviously impressive. He strips fitter and can make it two on the bounce.
| 10. Mr Chaplin (3) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 56.5kg 158×1T: Tom Charlton | |||
| Second run back. First-up after eight months won by a neck at Randwick Bm78 June 6 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Invader Zim carrying 59kg at $5. Previously second-up 19th of 30 at Ascot BRITANNIA STAKES on June 19 2025 over 1609m, 8 len behind Arabian Story with 59.5kg at $67. | |||
Best – Race 9 No. 11 Surf’s Up
Next Best – Race 1 No. 1 Friendly Fire
Value – Race 7 No. 8 Snack Bar