Punters will not have to wait until the last race to witness the feature of the day at Rosehill this Saturday. Fourteen 3yo’s will line up for a tilt at the $125,000 prize-money of the Run to the Roses and to stake their claim for the G1 Golden Rose to be run at Rosehill in a fortnight’s time. Peter Snowden has won this race four times for Darley since its inception in 2003 and has a good chance of making it five with Sidestep this year, the early favourite at $4.00.
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1. SIDESTEP – (6)
Winner of the Pago Pago last season before running a terrific race in the Golden Slipper, racing on his third consecutive Saturday, when second to Overreach. He returned to racing with a luckless fourth behind Va Pensiero in the San Domenico Stakes a fortnight ago. Will, or should, get a lovely run from this gate and his chance to atone for last start.
Odds: $4.40
2. CRITERION – (13)
Winner of the Black Opal and Todman Stakes as a two year old, this David Payne trained galloper will have his first start since running sixth (beaten 2.1 lengths) behind Guelph in the G1 Champagne Stakes (1600m). He’s been prepped for his return with three barrier trials so would expect he’s ready to go however, from the second to widest gate, he’ll be giving some smart gallopers a start as they straighten.
Odds: $21.00
3. ZOUSTAR – J Cassidy (8)
Went from a maiden at Canterbury, to winning at Hawkesbury, to the G2 Sire’s Produce and then within a head of completing a winning quadrella when second to Romantic Touch in the G1 JJ Atkins (1600m). He’s had two trials since the JJ Atkins for a nose second in the first and then kept quiet in the second. Obviously has a tonne of ability and wouldn’t think he has gone backward over the short break. He’s a big threat.
Odds: $5.00
4. VA PENSIERO – (10)
Jumped from a wide gate when resuming in the San Domenico Stakes a fortnight ago but was hunted forward to sit on the speed. The son of Stratum then proceeded to find plenty in the run to the line and held all challenges at bay to win by ¾ of a length. Would imagine he goes forward again today – his better runs have been from this position, but he meets a field of far more depth here.
Odds: $17.00
5. EUROZONE – J Bowman (9)
A promising son of Northern Meteor who for his trainers Bart and James Cummings, has yet to be defeated in three starts. He was off a five week break when lining up in the Listed The Rosebud at Randwick three weeks ago and on a day when not many did, he was able to lead and hold off all challenges to record a 1 ¼ length win. It was a strong win last start and have the expectation that he’ll be better again ridden with a sit.
Odds: $9.00
6. DISSIDENT – T Clark (2)
He ran, and ran well, in the Blue Diamond series of races for his Trainer Peter Moody earlier this year. A big raw type of horse, he made his return in the Listed Rosebud and settled at the tail of the field before saving ground on the turn and running second to Eurozone. He was being safely held by Eurozone on the line last start and not quite sure if an inside gate will be as beneficial to him as it would to others.
Odds: $17.00
7. MARSEILLE ROULETTE – K O’Hara (3)
Jumped from gate 12 in a field of 14 on debut, scooted over to lead and was never headed in a Rosehill Open race. The son of Zizou two subsequent runs however, in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude and Warwick Farm Open, where he again tried to lead all the way, failed to produce the same results and he was well beaten in both. He’s had two trials and from gate three will no doubt lead or be in a forward position but yet to prove himself at this level.
Odds: $26.00
8. WINDJAMMER – G Schofield (4)
After competing well in some of the leading 2yo races last autumn, this Bjorn Baker trained galloper broke his maiden status when retuning to racing earlier this month in a BM 72 race under 59kgs. He then ran very well in the San Domenico, finishing within a length of the winner Va Pensiero. Likes to get back and run on in his races and the trip and tempo of this race should suit. Off his last run, his current quote of $13.00 holds plenty of attraction.
Odds: $13.00
9. EQUATOR – A Hyeronimus (1)
Gai Waterhouse runner who won a Kembla maiden on debut, backed that up with a win at Canterbury before taking on the best of the season in the G1 Champagne Stakes at only his third start. Sent out in the Champagne at 20/1 the son of Northern Meteor sat on the speed and fought on bravely to run third, only a neck away from winner Guelph. If he’s continued to improve over the break at the rate he did in his first prep, then the $17.00 could be well overs.
Odds: $15.00
10. INTO THE RED – J Parr (12)
Queensland trainer Kelso Wood brings this Not A Single Doubt colt down after a comfortable 2 ½ length win in Open company at Eagle Farm. Has been drawn the ‘visitor’s gate’ and from their in this grade, the challenge will be too great.
Odds: $17.00
11. NAPAYSHINI – T Bell (11)
Lined up for his third race start after a six month spell at Gosford a fortnight ago and under 59.5kgs, recorded an impressive 5 ½ length win. That was in maiden class and whilst it is obvious he has more than his share of ability, a race like this appears to be too soon in his career however, the market is taking no chances and kept him safe at $10.00
Odds: $8.00
12 .CLUSTER – P Robl (14)
Made is debut at Canterbury as a 40/1 shot back in April and after finishing mid-field behind Zoustar, was immediately spelled. The Anthony Cummings trained galloper must have shown something over the break because he resumed in the San Domenico Stakes a fortnight ago at a starting price of 12/1 and ran second, beaten ¾ of a length behind Va Pensiero. That was a good effort and will no doubt have improved off of that run but enough to counter for the widest draw?
Odds: $15.00
13. IKE’S LEGACY – B Shinn (7)
By Redoute’s Choice out of well performed mare Ike’s Dream, this David Vandyke runner has only had the one start thus far. That was a winning effort in restricted grade race at Warwick Farm on heavy ground back in June. Would think there’s too many questions to be answered yet from that run but the market it taking no chances and posted him a $7.00 chance.
Odds: $7.00
14. SPURRENDOUS – B Avdulla (5)
From the tail of the field, arrived right on the line to score on debut at Newcastle back in March and then went straight in the Group 2 Moet and Chandon Stakes. Sent out a 100/1, she held of the others to claim third behind Overreach and Villa Verde who were some six lengths clear of her. Spelled since then and, as in the Moet and Chandon, hasn’t been given an easy task.
Odds: $51.00
OVERVIEW
Marseille Roulette leads away from its draw with stable-mate Equator and Va Pensiero from wider out both handy. Sidestep gets the run from his draw. He should be placed to advantage throughout and arguably should’ve won the San Domenico Stakes first up. If he had, we would be able to secure the $4.40 on offer. Very wary of Zoustar. What he did in four starts earlier this year was outstanding and would think we’re yet to see the best of him. Things didn’t go all Windjammer’s way in the San Domenico and he’s capable of finishing well for a place at value. Don’t know if they’ll be so keen to lead on Eurozone here but that shouldn’t harm his chances. He was strong at the end of his last start and with something to chase, may be stronger again.
- SIDESTEP
- ZOUSTAR
- EUROZONE
- WINDJAMMER
