2026 Winter Stakes Day Tips & Preview (Rosehill) | Saturday 4 July

Zounaka mixed her form a little last time in, but after returning to action with an easy win on the Illawarra track at Kembla Grange in May, she was last seen finishing second behind an impressive Smashing Time over this route. Third up this week and with some relief in the weights, I think she’ll be tough to toss again.

Too Hot To Torque was only just denied in Class 1 company at Ballina when resuming and has since recorded consecutive victories at Port Macquarie at Murwillumbah. While this is another obvious rise in class, the horse steps out in peak order and the manner of his recent performances have suggested that it is well within his means as well.

He has made just one appearance competitively so far, but after showing some ability at the trials, Omolong couldn’t have been more impressive when striking over this trip at the midweeks last month. He’s open to improvement for that experience and on exposed form, he looks well placed to go on with it.

We’ve been with Big Red Tequila in each of her first two runs back this time, and after only being denied by a fit and formed Ice Kool first up at Randwick, she was just over half a length behind the same horse last time out. Getting slightly further out in trip to the 1100m this week suits, she’s open to further improvement and from the ideal barrier 5, she should get her chance to finally convert again.

Having ended his two-start debut prep with a dominant win in maiden company, Hello Captain picked up where he left off with a couple of sharp victories in midweek metro company. Having stepped up into Saturday metro grade last time out and ultimately finishing less than half a length behind the winner, I’m expecting him to be in peak order this week, and with in-form apprentice Siena Grima engaged, he’s my best bet on the program.

It has been a short while since Polyglot won a race, but after being held up for a run at a key moment when resuming at Randwick last month, he let down with a fine turn of foot to hit the line stylishly. He’s yet to miss placing in four previous second up attempts, and with the benefit of that first up hit-out under his belt, and from the good draw this week, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.

Mo Chroi made two appearances over in Ireland prior to his purchase and transferal to Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, breaking his maiden at Fairyhouse most notably. Having attracted support ahead of his Australian debut at Canterbury last month, he worked home well to win comfortably. With natural improvement for that run and getting further out in trip this week, he looks well placed again under Timmy Clark, but he will require some luck in the run from a potentially sticky draw.

Smashing Time was unlucky not only just be denied in BM64 company when resuming in April but hasn’t taken a backwards step since, winning Midway BM72 races at Gosford and here at Rosehill. This is another rise in class, but he too steps out this week in peak order, he gets into the race well under handicap conditions and from a nice low draw, he should get every chance to continue his positive progression.

Midnight Dynamite has been a strong and consistent performer throughout 20 starts since debuting, but he really has returned to action an improved horse this time in, winning three of four and only just missing on the other occasion. Having bounced back from that near miss with an easy win in the Listed Civic Stakes last time out, he’s a model of fitness and this race doesn’t look any harder.

Having only been denied by the likes of Surf’s Up and Damiean at his first run back a month ago, Tarzing enjoy plenty of improvement into a comfortable victory over this route last weekend, where he figured as out best bet on the program. Clearly, he loves the conditions at Rosehill and on the quick back up, I’m confident he can do the job again.