2026 Run To The Rose Day Tips & Preview (Rosehill) | Saturday 12 September

Having settled at the tail of the field in the 1200m contest last Saturday, Wayburn mustered a smart turn of foot to run on late but ultimately had too much work to do – finishing two lengths sixth. Prior to that run, he was a strong and consistent performer in three other Highway races, winning once over 1200m here and finishing the runner up at the two other appearances. With natural improvement, Mollie Fitzgerald’s claim and getting out to the 1400m, he looks well placed this time.

Better Late has returned in excellent order, finishing second over 1200m at Gosford before producing a dominant 2.39-length win over the same trip at Beaumont last start. He rises in class here, but draws nicely in barrier four and is expected to roll forward, while Tim Clark is an ideal booking given his strength riding up on the pace.

Foire De Trone has been in excellent form this preparation, winning over 2100m at Sandown back in June before finishing fourth in a strong BM78 over 2000m at Caulfield. She bounced back impressively two back before again outstaying her rivals to win over 2400m at Randwick last time out, and now gets barrier five with James McDonald taking the ride.

Star Vega resumed with a solid effort over 1600m in Listed company at Hawkesbury and should take good improvement from that first-up run. He steps up to 1800m second-up, with 60kg to contend with, but he is drawn well and his previous form in similar races suggests he’s well placed again.

Chispa enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence last preparation, highlighted by a strong win over 1800m at Kensington before finishing second in the Group 2 The Roses over 2000m. She then tackled Group 1 company in the Queensland Oaks and wasn’t disgraced, and with James McDonald back aboard, this looks a suitable race to kick off another campaign.

Cormier and Stormy Marco bring strong Group 1 form into this contest, having finished second and third respectively in the JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm before spelling. Cormier draws barrier five and carries 60kg, while Stormy Marco gets the advantage of barrier two with James McDonald aboard, setting up an intriguing rematch between the pair. I’m Ya Huckleberry was only just denied in Group 3 company on debut last year and returned to action for a dominant win in maiden company at Wyong. While this is a clear rise in class, he has a key fitness edge over several other leading contenders and takes plenty of weight as well.

Lady Shenandoah resumed with a fourth in the Group 1 Winx Stakes over 1400m and has an excellent Rosehill record, while Lazzura gets the better draw in barrier five with James McDonald and boasts a strong fresh record. Solely on her fresh performance in the Winx Stakes and natural improvement, I’ve got Lady Shenandoah on top.

Tron Bolt won three consecutive races, including the Group 1 JJ Atkins before going for a break, while Fireball also boasts a Group 1 victory having saluted in the Champagne Stakes in April. Berzelius, Music Time and Warwoven all step out second up and open to improvement, while St Gottard puts an unbeaten record on the line first up under James McDonald. Tron Bolt has reportedly furnished into a stronger horse and with some lofty targets set this time, he’s the one for me this week.

Skyhook resumes off a strong preparation that included wins in the Hawkesbury Guineas and the Gunsynd Classic, and he looks well placed with 56kg despite drawing the outside barrier. Midnight In Tokyo has been in outstanding form, winning four of her last five starts, and brings a rating of 107 into this while carrying just 56kg. Estadio Mestalla has plenty of quality and boasts an excellent Rosehill record, although he has to overcome barrier 12 with 58.5kg. Given how he ended his last preparation, Skyhook certainly looks up to winning something like this fresh.

Eagle Express returned with an impressive win and gets a major advantage from the rails draw, with Zac Lloyd retaining the ride, and the horse should only improve for that fresh effort. Having finished off the pace at his first run back, Sovereign Hill enjoyed strong improvement into an eye-catching victory over 1200m at Randwick last time out. Theblade ended his last prep in winning form and gets Tyler Schiller from Barrier 5, but Eagle Express looks the one to beat after his first-up win.