The first big Group l of the season is the Golden Rose (1400m), regarded as one of the premier stallion making races. It comes around this Saturday at Rosehill with a firm deck on the cards. The rail is in the true position, and with a dry track, on speed will be no disadvantage given it’s the first meeting there in around two months.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2021 Golden Rose.
2021 Golden Rose Speed Map
In The Congo looks to be the sole early speed in the race so he leads comfortably to my eye, depending what Hilal does from the wide gate. Fascinating to see what McDonald does aboard Anamoe. In The Congo is drawn gate six, with Anamoe in eight. Does he try and get the cart across and get a spot one off? Tiger Of Malay will be handy from four, likewise Coastwatch from two. Captivant has the paint and will be three back at worst. Artorius drawn wide, he’ll be dragged back to last.
2021 Golden Rose Runner Preview
1. Anamoe: Was simply stunning what he did in the Run To The Rose considering he had a set back, one soft trial and was conceding weight. He made a mess of them and did it with plenty in reserve. Set weights, more upside than any other runner, proven big time performer over most of these and really, barring bad luck, I think $1.90 is a spoil. Barring track bias, I can see him starting $1.40/$1.50. He wins and wins comfortably IMO.
Odds: $1.90
2. Artorius: Was keen to give him a shout in this race but there are two negatives I feel. First, the form around him this prep, as a whole, I’m worried about, and last start at Flemington, he had every chance. But the killer for him is drawing wide. He’ll have to be dragged back to last and I can’t see him giving Anamoe a start and beating him.
Odds: $10.00
3. Captivant: I think he’s going really well this time in. Great return in the San Domenico, then in the Run To The Rose pulled up with breathing issues, so a total forgive. He’ll do no work from gate one, finally gets to a suitable trip and loves dry ground. I have him third pick behind the two mentioned above.
Odds: $27.00
4. Hilal: He might be a talented animal, but he’s still doing plenty wrong and the facts are he has only won a Kensington maiden. Close behind Artorius at Flemington in the race mentioned above when third. Just think he lacks the race sense and class to match it with Anamoe.
Odds: $51.00
5. In The Congo: He just looks perfectly set up here to run well, dare say top five, then freshen up and likely win the Coolmore Stud on Derby Day. 1400m isn’t his go, but potentially gets a soft lead with a gun front running hoop aboard and if this track is suiting leaders, he comes right into the mix as a knockout winning hope.
Odds: $7.00
6. Tiger Of Malay: Has done little wrong this time in for Team Freedman. Won the Up And Coming fresh before a narrow second to Giannis in the Dulcify. Lands in a good spot from the draw, fit, racing well…just not sure he has the turn of foot to put them away.
Odds: $19.00
7. Remarque: IMO, he is a pretender more so than a contender. He had his chance to beat Anamoe two weeks ago but couldn’t get past and in the end, Anamoe was drawing clear of him. Off that, I can’t see Remarque turning the tables, but Team Hawkes, a colt in a stallion making race, that is his saving grace.
Odds: $10.00
8. Giannis: Chris Waller is a trainer of habit. He follows his tried and proven formulas and that is what he is doing with this guy. The Autumn Sun won a 1500m lead up into winning the Golden Rose and that is what Giannis is trying to do. Strong win in the Dulcify beating Tiger Of Malay and loved the way he kept finding when required. If he is to threaten, he wants this to be a truly run 1500m.
Odds: $34.00
9: Royalzel: Lucky winner of the Midway two back, but proved that was no fluke with a gutsy third in the Dulcify, earning himself a crack at this race. Rough first four chance if it was a wet track, but a firm deck, drawn wide, he’ll struggle.
Odds: $61.00
10: Coastwatch: You keep listening to Waller and McDonald, they think this guy will be a star with time, Waller even saying he could be their Doncaster three year old for next season, which is a fair wrap this far out for a young horse who is yet to really prove himself. Tough winner of the Ming Dynasty but I can’t see that form being strong enough to win this.
Odds: $27.00
11. Moridian: Beautifully bred and given the ownership, have to have a throw at the stumps in a Group l. It was a solid win on the Kenso last Wednesday, and I think that race will produce winners, but it would be a major shock if this guy won. Looking elsewhere.
Odds: $61.00
12. Jamaea: Big call from the stable to come here. The fillies, as a whole, look awful, but she is the best of them I feel hence why she runs here. Big win from the back in the Furious and the thing going for her is that she has a turn of foot and gears, unlike some of these. That keeps her in the mix as a first four threat.
Odds: $19.00
13: Startantes: Fascinating for a couple of reasons this filly. First that the connections paid the late entry fee. And second of all, why are they coming here? Is she a companion for Rothfire? Because her form in Queensland is awful as a whole and off it, I couldn’t see her troubling these.
Odds: $34.00
2021 Golden Rose $100 Betting Strategy:
No need to overthink this race. Anamoe picks himself and all things being equal, he wins this, then the Caulfield Guineas, then is in with a shout in the Cox Plate. He is a star and the $1.90 I’m happy to lock in. $100 win on him.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $500
Group l Strategy Return: $310
