We’re back out to Rosehill Gardens in Sydney’s west on Saturday for a ten-race metropolitan program that is headlined by the Listed Winter Challenge.
The weather has improved in Sydney this week and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (5) range, while the rail will be set out four metres around the entire course.
Check out this week’s Rosehill tip sheet below, including 2026 Winter Challenge best bets.
Internal Affairs improved for two runs during his debut prep, including a second placing in the Inglis Nursery, while he returned to action to get up at shorts odds at Hawkesbury last month. With natural improvement, this is a great opportunity for him to go on with it.
| 1. Internal Affairs (9) J: Tyler Schiller 58.5kg 42×1T: Brad Widdup | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months favourite; won by 0.7 len at Hawkesbury Mdn-Sw June 23 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Hy carrying 56.5kg at $1.75. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 at Randwick in the LR Nursery on December 13 over 1000m, 1.2 len behind Where’s The Circus carrying 56kg at $2.70. | |||
Nullarbor Jane has won two of four back from a break but undoubtedly produced a career-best performance so far to get up over 1200m here last time out. In peak order, the small rise in trip should be fine and with some luck in the run from the wide alley, she can be in the finish again.
| 7. Nullarbor Jane (17) J: Anna Roper 57kg x3171T: John Sargent | |||
| Last start won by a nose at this track Midway Bm72(71) July 4 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Last Druid carrying 53kg at $6. The start before that did the work up front then tired 7th of 10 at Warwick Farm 3&4yo Bm64 on June 3 over 1100m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Mrs Maree with 57kg at $7. | |||
We haven’t seen Ready To Rush at the races since November, but she was almost faultless during her debut prep, winning two of three starts, including a Class 1 sprint over 1100m, while she only just denied on the other occasion. This is the hardest task she’s been set so far, but she has reportedly furnished into a strong horse, and she has drawn ideally into the race with a nice low weight.
| 13. Ready To Rush (4) J: Rachel King 55.5kg 121xT: Matthew Dale | |||
| Resuming. Not seen since winning by 0.7 len Gundagai Cl1 November 14 over 1100m defeating Paparazzo carrying 56kg at $3.70. On debut won by 0.5 len Cootamundra Mdn October 5 over 1100m defeating Will One carrying 57kg at $3.20. | |||
Ballpark stripped fitter with a couple of fair efforts first and second up this time before returning to winning form with an eye-catching performance to get up in BM64 company at Canterbury. Having franked that by repeating the effort at the same grade at Randwick-Kensington last time out, he’s earned a crack at Saturday metro company and looks to get ideal conditions on a rain-affected track this week, while the booking of Nash further enhances his claims.
| 1. Ballpark (2) J: Nash Rawiller 58kg x5711T: Chris Waller | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. At the latest run favourite; won by a nose at Randwick Kensington 3&4yo Bm64 July 1 over 1550m in the wet defeating Cheval De Bois carrying 60.5kg at $2.60. The race before that favourite; won by 0.6 len at Canterbury 3&4yo Bm64 June 8 over 1550m in soft going defeating Lipstick carrying 58.5kg at $11. | |||
Le Troisir was a sharp winner over 2200m at Warwick Farm back in June, and after finishing on the placegetters’ heels following a tough run at Canterbury, he was again good through the line to fill the minors over the 2000m here last time out. That looked to be the run of a horse crying out for further, which he gets here, while he is treated very favourably under handicap conditions once again.
| 14. Le Troisir (10) J: Zac Lloyd 53.5kg 39143T: Chris Waller | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently 3rd of 17 at this track Bm78 on July 4 over 2000m, slow going 2.5 len behind Anythink Goes carrying 53.5kg at $7. The race before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 9 at Canterbury Bm72 on June 17 over 1900m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Think I Will with 57.5kg at $4.20. | |||
Sword Of Legacy has turned in some fine performances north of the border this time in, and after breaking her maiden at Eagle Farn back in May, she hit the line behind Earn To Burn in the Darby McCarthy Stakes on Doomben Cup Day. While nothing went right for her in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes at Eagle Farm, she returned to winning form with an eye-catching performance at the same track last time out, looking the winner a long way from home. In peak order, something like this looks the next logical target for her.
| 3. Sword Of Legacy (4) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 21301T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Dual acceptor. Most recently favourite; won by 0.7 len at Eagle Farm 3yo Qlty June 27 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Propaganda carrying 57.5kg at $2.20. Before that 14th of 17 at Eagle Farm in the LR Qld Day on June 6 over 1200m, 5 len behind Earn To Burn carrying 55kg at $26. An inside gate is a big advantage. | |||
Having won two of three races during his debut preparation, with the only miss coming in strong featured company, Ice Kool returned to action with an easy win in BM78 company ay Randwick before repeating the dose at the same track and trip last time out. He’s around a month between starts but has been kept up to the mark with a trial, and I am eager to stay with him until he gives me a reason not to.
| 10. Ice Kool (8) J: Jay Ford 52.5kg 17×11T: David Pfieffer | |||
| Third-up today. First-up favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 2.25 len at Randwick Bm78 June 6 over 1000m on a soft track defeating Big Red Tequila carrying 56.5kg at $2.30. Second-up favourite; won by 0.5 len at Randwick Bm78 June 20 over 1000m in soft going defeating Petticoat with 60kg at $1.50. | |||
Gatsby’s has always been a horse with ability, but it’s fair to say he’s been a hard one to catch during his nineteen trips to the races so far, winning only three times. That said, he’s a horse that has tended to produce his best performances earlier in his preparations, and he returned to action to finish on the placegetters’ heels here at Rosehill a fortnight ago. With natural improvement this week, and appropriate luck in the run, something like this does look within his ability.
| 9. Gatsby’s (16) J: Chad Schofield 57.5kg 124×4T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 4th of 12 at this track Bm88 on July 4 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Dark Glitter carrying 57.5kg at $5.50. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by 0.9 len at Randwick Cg&E Bm78 January 24 over 1200m defeating Bundeena carrying 60kg at $6. | |||
McHale doesn’t win out of turn, but after returned to action with a credible performance to finish fifth behind the likes of Midnight Dynamite in the Civic Stakes last month, he was flying home when second in the Winter Stakes here last time out. Fitter third up and out to the 1500m this week, the wide draw isn’t too much of a concern as he’ll likely settle off the pace regardless and with a clear crack at them late, he should prove difficult to hold out again.
| 10. Mchale (16) J: Zac Lloyd 56kg 56×52T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming 5th of 15 at Randwick in the LR Civic Stakes on June 20 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Midnight Dynamite carrying 55.5kg at $11. Last start made significant ground from the rear of the field 2nd of 12 at this track in the LR Winter Stk on July 4 over 1400m, slow going 1.0 len behind General Salute carrying 55.5kg at $10. | |||
Columbia Blue has been tasked with overcoming a wide alley, but he has been a model of consistency in seven starts since debuting, winning three times and finishing the runner up on as many occasions. Having only just been denied by Polyglot in his first run back this year a fortnight ago, he’s unbeaten at this point of his preparation and will take plenty of beating again.
| 12. Columbia Blue (16) J: Nash Rawiller 57kg 116×2T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 11 at this track Cg&E Bm78 on July 4 over 1100m, slow going nose behind Polyglot carrying 56kg at $4.60. Previously second-up ran on from midfield and won by a long-neck at Canterbury Cg&E Bm72 December 12 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Benevac carrying 54.5kg at $3.30. | |||
Best – Race 7 No. 10 Ice Kool
Next Best – Race 1 No. 1 Internal Affairs
Value – Race 9 No. 10 McHale