Things do not get any easier for the punters at Rosehill on Saturday when race eight on the card rolls around – a traditional lead-up race to the Doncaster Handicap – the Ajax Stakes. Eighteen runners will face the starter and it is $6.50 the field in early markets with Havana Rey and Lightinthenite holding the call.
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1. CARLTON HOUSE – J Bowman (3)
The Queen’s horse as arrived at the stables of Gai Waterhouse from England via Hong Kong. The 5yo has only had the ten starts thus far, the most recent being in the G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) where he finished sixth (beaten 4.8 lengths) behind California Memory. Has won fresh twice before on both occasions over 2000m, prefer to see him go around here.
Odds: $6.00
2. LAMASERY – P Robl (9)
A smart Commands gelding who put together a successful Spring Campaign last year which included a win in the G2 Hill Stakes (2000m). It was rounded out with a fifth behind Glencadam Gold in the G1 Metropolitan. Has had three barrier trials in preparation for his return and that was the case last campaign when he resumed with a fast finishing fourth (beaten 1.6 lengths) behind Pinwheel in the G2 Warwick Stakes. Could be finishing hard.
Odds: $17.00
3. VOILA ICI – L Nolen (2)
Moody runner who, when landing in Australia last Spring, showed plenty of promise at his early outings which included a second in the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) behind Ocean Park. However, once past the 2000m he’s form dropped off alarmingly and he was well beaten in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Drawn to go forward in two and tends to produce his best when ridden so.
Odds: $41.00
4. MONTON – C Reith (13)
Resumed from an eight week break but didn’t enjoy the heavy conditions of the Apollo Stakes and finished near twenty lengths from the winner. Back on firmer footing at his next start, the Ron Quinton trained galloper went within a whisker of claiming the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes, he was only caught on the line by a freakish performance from Shoot Out. Generally goes well this track and trip.
Odds: $15.00
5. SKYERUSH – B Shinn (1)
Jockey and Trainer Guy Walter have combined successfully in recent weeks and along with the G1 Coolmore Classic with Appearance last week, claimed the G3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) with this mare three weeks back. Led on the occasion and showed plenty of fight over the concluding stages to hold off Riva De Lago. Gets a nice run again from one and is genuine.
Odds: $15.00
6. TRIPLE ELEGANCE – J Cassidy (14)
After a dry spell, the 6yo by Mossman cracked it for his eighth career win when taking out the Magic Millions Cup on the Gold Coast in January. Trainer Chris Waller then freshened him up and he returned with a pleasing effort, finishing 2 ¼ lengths from Bello in the G3 Newmarket Handicap at Newcastle. Well beaten in this race last year and might have his work cut out for him from gate 14 this year.
Odds: $17.00
7. CENTENNIAL PARK – M Rodd (16)
Made connections wait 22 races before finally registering his eighth career win in the Listed Super Saturday Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last start. Was afforded every chance by Noel Callow on that occasion and got home by half a length. The win would have done wonders for his confidence but not prepared to include him here off that win and gate sixteen, despite his good record at this track.
Odds: $19.00
8. RAINBOW STYLING – J Ford (15)
Now an eight year old, this Zabeel gelding who is under the guidance of Team Hawkes, hasn’t been seen at the races since finishing seventh in the Canberra Cup (2000m) a year ago. It would be some effort indeed to produce him here first up, in a race of this quality, and be competitive.
Odds: $201.00
9. RIVA DE LAGO – (8)
Encosta de Lago gelding who won two BM 95 races here at Rosehill before being sent out a 4/1 chance in the G3 Liverpool City Cup at his most recent start. From the inside gate, he camped on the leader and eventual winner’s – Skyerush, back and had every possible chance to run the mare down but on the line, he had to settle for a head second. Does like it here at Rosehill and the pace in this race will suit. Only been over this trip once previously and that was for a second to Lightinthenite back in November ’11.
Odds: $8.50
10. HAVANA REY – G Schofield (12)
Won a Warwick Farm Open race before backing that up with an effortless victory on his favoured wet conditions, claiming a BM 95 by 2 ¼ lengths. He was then entered for the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes and ran a cracking race given the jump in grade, leading the field away and holding on for fifth, less the two lengths from winner Shoot Out. Drops 4.5kgs on that effort, just needs a touch of luck early from the his gate.
Odds: $6.50
11. LIGHTINTHENITE – J McDonald (6)
He resumed his last campaign with a head second to Rolling Pin in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle. Like he did then, trainer John O’Shea has given the son of Galileo two barrier trials for his return here with the most recent only a week ago where he wasn’t asked a great deal. Smart horse who is building an impressive record.
Odds: $7.00
12. STOUT HEARTED – N Berry (5)
The third of Chris Waller’s four entrants, this son of Dynaformer progressed from a mid-week Canterbury BM 75 to winning the G3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) in his first Australian campaign after arriving from Europe. Has won three of his five starts at Rosehill and obviously has his fair share of ability but just might need this run.
Odds: $26.00
13. WILLY JIMMY – R Quinn (17)
This 7yo from Guy Walter’s yard hasn’t been that far away in some handy races recently. He handled the muddy conditions better than most to finish fourth in the G2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) two starts back before getting back in a race controlled by the leader and finishing two lengths behind Puissance de Lune and Budriguez in the G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m). Going well but, as they turn for home, would think he’ll be close to last form his wide gate.
Odds: $26.00
14. BEATEN UP – (7)
If this race wasn’t hard enough, Chris Waller decides to debut his latest European galloper – Beaten Up. A lightly raced 5yo by Beat Hollow, he’s been given two trials in readiness for this and has been kept safe by bookmakers at $12.00 in early markets and rightly so. Anyone remember My Kingdom of Fife?
Odds: $17.00
15. FAMOUS SEAMUS – T Berry (10)
He had no luck when resuming from a spell in the G3 Liverpool City Cup where, from a wide barrier he was posted wide throughout. Draw better at his next start, The Nemarket Handicap at Newcastle and ran a cheeky race in front, holding on for third beaten ¾ lengths behind Bello and Laser Hawk. Capable of sitting on the pace of coming from behind but at Group 2 level, might just find one or two better.
Odds: $8.00
16. STRIKE THE STARS – C Williams (18)
Remarkably, he’s still searching for his second career win, with his maiden victory coming in the G3 Gloaming Stakes – eleven starts ago now. He also resumed in the G3 Liverpool City Cup and in a race dominated by those up front, he made good ground from last to finish three lengths from Skyerush. Will get back again from the widest gate.
Odds: $19.00
17. MAULES CREEK – J Collett (4)
Middle distance galloper from the Patinack Farm operation who when resuming in the G3 The Newmarket Handicap at Newcastle, couldn’t hold his position in the run home and weakened to finish then of thirteen behind Bello. Better for that hit-out but still not winning here.
Odds: $101.00
18. SCREAM MACHINE – K O’Hara (11)
Handy city galloper who had a tilt at the G3 Liverpool City Cup when resuming from a ten week freshen up but was well handled and would expect that to be the case again today.
Odds: $51.00
OVERVIEW
Havana Rey goes forward from twelve, Voila Ici from his inside draw and Famous Seamus with Skyerush handy. Honestly, where do you start? Only two of the eighteen are last start winners, seven are first up – one of them a complete unknown from the Europe and nine are between $6.50 and $15.00! Good luck! I’ve opted for Monton who at $13.00, I think represents good each way value. I’m hoping he can find some cover in the run and he’s last start was a ripper! Wider still, Lamasery is capable of producing fresh and his trainer is sticking with a formula that worked with a degree of success last campaign. This time around however, he has an extra 100m and they move prove vital. Skyerush, Havana Rey and Lightinthenite to round out trifecta placings.
