Some outstanding horse have won the Tooheys New Golden Rose (1400m) since its conception. The likes of Paratroopers, boom youngster Court Command, the wonderful mare Forensics and one of the best gallopers Sydney has seen for a while in Denman greeted the judge in 2009. Toorak Toff took it out last year. But who will stand up in the 2011 edition? Smart Missile. Does he just turn up and go to the winners stall? Or will Helmet race truly and cause an upset? Can the untapped runners, Manawanui and Aeronautical, produce something special for the battler? Or will Foxwedge get revenge and turn the tables in his favour? Here is my runner by runner preview.
1 – Helmet
The best horse in the race in terms of class given he is a two time group one winner. Looked to have condition on him first up but he still ran a cracking race for third behind Smart Missile and Foxwedge. He’ll sit on the speed, should control the race and prove hard to hold out, even though he is ugly to watch in the run.
2 – Smart Missile
The boom youngster of Australian racing. He has race three times for three wins and is the only horse to have lowered the colours of Sepoy. How he won the Run To The Rose still amazes me. Only the great horses can do what he did to win that race. From the barrier Bossy can do whatever he likes. Given Helmet does look to get an easy lead, He might sit outside that horse and those two could dominate from the front. He needs to stand up and win this to assure he is the second best three year old in Australia behind Sepoy and I think he will.
3 – Foxwedge
He is a real professional but he just seems to bump into special horses in the big races. Looked home and hosed last start but no horse could have held off Smart Missile and his finishing burst. He’ll get the charmed run from barrier one and looks a major player for trainer John O’Shea and whiz kid James McDonald.
4 – Manawanui
Four starts for three wins and a third. Trialled well leading up to last start, but I was a bit cautious about that trial form and didn’t think he could win. Well, he proved me wrong in a big way when he gave his rivals a spanking in the Up & Coming. Plenty of upside about him, he looks to be a good one, and he’ll get the soft run. Knockout horse for me.
5 – Aeronautical
At his first two starts, he looked ok. Nothing special, just a horse with a touch of ability. His last two runs indicate he is going to be a star. Produced a powerful finishing burst to win two starts back then he toyed with his rivals in The Rosebud five weeks ago. Probably the thing against him is fitness, but having said that, the small field helps his cause. Gee I like him as a horse. He can certainly win with the right run.
6 – Flight Of Pegasus
Got to be in it to win it. Good luck to the connections, but it’ll be a massive boilover if he was to win.
Selections:
Smart Missile has to go on top. The stuff he has done on the race track so far has been unbelievable and I think a Bossy special will get this bloke home. Foxwedge for second. Ultra consistent colt who is never far away from the action and that won’t change here. Helmet for third. The blinkers going on for the first time is a key gear change that may spark this wonderful colt into action. Manawanui and Aeronautical to fight out fourth and fifth with Flight To Pegasus getting $10,000 for coming sixth and last.
View the Golden Rose Odds
Written by Adam Page
