The Rosebud Day is the focus at Rosehill this Saturday, with 10 races scheduled.
The Listed The Rosebud headlines the card and is an important lead-up towards the Group 1 Golden Rose.
The track is rated a Soft 6, and showers are possible. As a result, the track conditions are expected to remain in the soft range.
The rail is in the true position. On softer Rosehill surfaces, it can be important to monitor whether riders move away from the inside as the meeting develops.
The speed map, race shape and early positioning will all be key factors. Our race analysis assesses the key runners, main winning chances and betting opportunities across the card.
Here is the race-by-race preview for The Rosebud Day.
ATTRACTIVENESS (5) returned to winning form last start and looks well placed to remain competitive in this grade.
The Richard & Will Freedman-trained mare improved on a drier surface when taking out a similar Midway Handicap over 1400m at Rosehill. She settled midfield before working into the clear and finishing strongly to score by 1.15 lengths.
Her overall form this preparation is sound, including a first-up win.
Siena Grima’s claim means she carries only half a kilogram more than last start. With genuine speed expected, she should get the chance to settle just off the tempo and finish off again.
| 5. Attractiveness (2) J: Siena Grima 57.5kg x1351T: Richard & Will Freedman | |||
| At the latest run favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.2 len at this track on August 1 over 1400m in soft going defeating Krasina carrying 55kg at $3.20. Before that eased back early on 5th of 7 at this track on July 18 over 1500m, on a wet track; 5 len behind Arapawa with 55.5kg at $5. Talented mare who can win again. | |||
STEEL WILL (3) resumed with a dominant win over 1100m at Wyong and appears capable of taking the next step.
The Chris Waller-trained colt won by 6.27 lengths last start, which followed signs of ability during his first preparation.
On debut, he raced wide throughout but still fought on to finish third, beaten 1.63 lengths, behind subsequent black-type winner The Next Episode.
He should take fitness improvement second-up, and the rise to 1300m looks suitable. From a favourable draw, James McDonald should be able to place him prominently.
| 3. Steel Will (4) J: James McDonald 56kg 37×1T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; scored a big 6 len win at Wyong on August 2 over 1100m defeating Ghostbuster carrying 58kg at $1.45. Previously second-up 7th of 10 in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1100m, slow going 6 len behind Blue Door with 56.5kg at $7.50. Demolished the small field first-up and can go on with it here. | |||
VALEDOR (14) makes his first trip to town and brings a progressive profile into this Highway Handicap.
The Messara & Gavranich-trained gelding won impressively on debut before having genuine excuses second-up. He was severely hampered near the 500m after another runner contacted the inside rail and caused it to bounce back toward him.
He then returned to winning form over a mile at Scone, where he proved too strong by 1.7 lengths.
James McDonald taking the ride is a major positive, and the same trainer and jockey combination won a similar race last Saturday with Avista.
| 14. Valedor (9) J: James McDonald 55kg 151T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | |||
| At the latest run raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.75 len at Scone on July 31 over 1600m defeating Tacitly carrying 58kg at $3.80. The start before that 5th of 9 at Gunnedah on July 20 over 1400m, 1.75 len behind Meddlesome carrying 60.5kg at $1.55. Heading in the right direction and can measure up again. | |||
LEOVANNI (11) backs up quickly after a strong performance over a mile at Randwick.
The Cameron Crockett-trained mare finished second, beaten 1.36 lengths, behind The Mona Lisa, and that run suggested she is up to this level.
Her form before that was also strong, with consecutive Highway Handicap wins over 1800m and a mile.
She rises only 1kg to 53.5kg and should be suited by a race that does not appear to have a great deal of early speed. Alysha Collett can settle her in a forward position.
| 11. Leovanni (4) J: Alysha Collett 53.5kg 21112T: Cameron Crockett | |||
| At the latest run ran on from midfield; 2nd of 11 at Randwick on August 8 over 1600m, 1.4 len behind The Mona Lisa carrying 52.5kg at $6.50. Before that won by 0.8 len at Randwick on July 25 over 1800m in soft going defeating Maples with 55.5kg at $7. Keeps raising the bar and don’t dismiss. | |||
GLISSANDO (5) is still lightly raced but has shown enough to suggest she can measure up in metropolitan company.
The Chris Waller-trained mare was plain on debut but improved sharply second-up, leading throughout to win her Maiden at Kembla Grange.
She then backed that up at Canterbury, where she again went forward and proved too strong late over 1550m, winning by just under two lengths.
The wide draw creates some map pressure, but she has the early speed to cross and should give James McDonald the option to take up a prominent position.
| 5. Glissando (10) J: James McDonald 55.5kg 511T: Chris Waller | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run favourite; won by 2 len at Canterbury on August 5 over 1550m defeating Namaste carrying 58kg at $1.40. The run before that favourite; scored a big 3.5 len win at Kembla Grange on July 16 over 1300m defeating Divine Heights with 55kg at $1.95. Going well enough to give this a shake. | |||
FORMAL (12) had no luck over this course and distance last start and can improve with a clearer run.
The Nathan Doyle-trained gelding was held up and went to the line untested when finishing second last, which made the run better than it reads.
His previous start was encouraging, as he chased strongly to finish third, beaten just over half a length.
Although he has not won for some time, the booking of a senior jockey for the first time in nine months is a positive. Tyler Schiller should be able to give him an economical run from the low draw.
| 12. Formal (3) J: Tyler Schiller 55kg 34430T: Nathan Doyle | |||
| Last start ran second last of 13 at this track on August 1 over 1100m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Annie’s Rose carrying 53.5kg at $12. The run before that ran on from midfield; 3rd of 11 at this track on July 4 over 1100m, slow going 0.6 len behind Polyglot carrying 53.5kg at $8.50. | |||
HAWKER HALL (5) resumed with a strong on-speed win and looks suited rising to 1200m.
The Kris Lees-trained gelding led throughout over 1100m at Randwick last start and should take benefit from that run.
He won second-up last preparation at Rosehill, which is a positive reference for this setup.
The step to 1200m is suitable, as he won over this distance on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast. James McDonald knows him well and should be able to control the tempo.
| 5. Hawker Hall (2) J: James McDonald 58kg 138×1T: Kris Lees | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months won by a head at Randwick on July 25 over 1100m in soft going defeating Istolea Merc with 58.5kg at $6.50. Previously second-up won by a long-neck at this track on December 7 over 1100m defeating Crepe Myrtle carrying 53kg at $2.35. | |||
BLUE DOOR (6) resumes after winning the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes on debut.
The Bjorn Baker-trained filly raced outside the lead over this course and distance and finished strongly to defeat The Next Episode by a head.
That performance gives her a solid form base for The Rosebud.
She has also trialled well ahead of her return, working home under her own steam with Gangster Granny. Rachel King should be able to place her on speed from the outset.
| 6. Blue Door (5) J: Rachel King 56.5kg 1xT: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Resuming after a break; only one run when won by a head in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1100m on a soft track defeating The Next Episode with 54.5kg at $4.40. | |||
ATTICA (1) resumes as a gelding and appears to have trialled well leading into this preparation.
The Joe Pride-trained son of Lonhro has settled on speed in both trials and finished in the placings alongside quality horses such as Jimmysstar and Beiwacht.
He is the class runner in this field, having won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes.
He has also won first-up over this distance, which adds to his profile. The barrier is awkward, but if Adam Hyeronimus can find a workable position, his class can take him a long way.
| 1. Attica (9) J: Adam Hyeronimus 59kg 4380xT: Joseph Pride | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign 13th of 16 at Randwick in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m, soft track; 10 len behind Sheza Alibi with 50kg at $26. First up last campaign fourth of 7 at this track in the G2 Hobartvlle February 21 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Ninja carrying 56.5kg at $15. | |||
TARZING (10) can be forgiven for his latest run after having an unsuitable setup.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding was five weeks between runs, drew wide, was caught deep early and never looked comfortable behind a strong tempo before finishing sixth, beaten 3.32 lengths.
His previous run over this course and distance was much better, as he settled handy and finished strongly to win by just under a length.
There looks to be solid speed engaged again, but from a better barrier, James McDonald should be able to give him a more economical run.
| 10. Tarzing (6) J: James McDonald 58kg 3×316T: Chris Waller | |||
| Most recently 6th of 13 at this track on August 1 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Steel Strike carrying 58kg at $2.70. The start before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.8 len at this track on June 27 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Big Papa carrying 56kg at $3.60. Rates highly. Hard to go past in this suitable contest. | |||