Australia Racing Preview for 3/21/2014

Big say ahead here at Rosehill Gardens with some serious Graded Stakes races and 2 huge Grade 1’s in the COOLMORE CLASSIC and the RANVET STAKES. It is sure to be a magnificent day of racing so let’s try and line our pockets with some dollars!

ROSEHILL GARDENS – AUS A

RACE 1 – GRADE 3 BACARDI UNTAMEABLE STAKES 1100m of $150000 (AUS)

The first is loaded up with good speed runners. That has FLAMBERGE settling off the pace a bit but he brings along G1 form to this and the pressure could allow him to possibly have last crack. Remember this is Rosehill 1100m though. THAT'S A GOOD IDEA gets Schofield senior back aboard and this looks very suitable. SENTA DA NOCHE is an interesting runner off a year break.

SELECTIONS – FLAMBERGE / THAT’S A GOOD IDEA / SENTA DA NOCHE

RACE 3 – GRADE 2 THE OTHER WOMAN TODMAN STAKES 1200m of $300000 (AUS)

RACE 3 – GRADE 2 THE OTHER WOMAN TODMAN STAKES 1200m of $300000 (AUS)

 

Decent test of the Earthquake form here, very helpfully prior to her going around in the next. JABALI has

come in 2nd to some good galloper so far and his trial at Randwick earlier in the week was fine. The horse that has beaten him furthest so far is RISEN FROM DOUBT, albeit that it is a dubious form reference from last October. RISEN FROM DOUBT was backed to beat Mossfun in the Silver Slipper and was not helped by the soft that day. Nor was UNENCUMBERED and his trial since has been impressive. They look the key trio and expect one of them to salute.

SELECTIONS – RISEN FROM DOUBT / JABALI / UNENCUMBERED

RACE 4 – GRADE 2 PARRAMATTA LEAGUES CLUB REISLING STAKES 1200m of $300000 (AUS)

EARTHQUAKE has shown herself to be at the top of the 2YO tree. She put down very fast 1000m time on debut before proving with her two Caulfield runs she is a cut above. She peaks in a fortnight of course but that is likely no impediment to winning this on the way through. MOSSFUN is Slipper second elect and like the top weight, yet to taste defeat. Outside barrier doesn't seem a problem as she'll just roll across as she did last start. She has the advantage of two appearances here while EARTHQUAKE is Rosehill first time. CLIFTON RED is untapped and hence unknown, she is the upset.

SELECTIONS – EARTHQUAKE / MOSSFUN / CLIFTON RED

RACE 5 – GRADE 3 MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS SKY HIGH STAKES 1900m of $150000 (AUS)

Backing the G1 form here and that has PRINCE CHERI and LET'S MAKE A DEAL the two top rated. Both beaten about 3L by seriously high grade gallopers at their most recent runs and both likely significantly fitter for those outings. Lean to CHERI as he is a home track horse 2 from 2 here. JULIENAS won this race last year and did so 2nd-up after only an average return. He couldn't get near the front at Canberra and would expect him to go much better with that one under his belt. ENTIRELY PLATINUM on the up but less than sure about him.

SELECTIONS – PRINCE CHERI / LETS MAKE A DEAL / BRIGANTIN

RACE 6 – GRADE 2 HYLAND RACE COLOURS AJAX STAKES 1500m of $175000 (AUS)

Fantastic race. MESSENE has put together a formidable record so far and his win at Canberra was full of merit, holding on after early work. He has run into only one of today's opposition before and that is MOURO. That was only a field of five and MESSENE led and dominated. He does meet MOURO 4 kilos better from that (for a 1.5L margin). The other well weighted horse her is ECUADOR. Only once has he finished out of the quinella and that was a 1L defeat in the Epsom.

SELECTIONS – MESSENE / MOURO / ECUADOR

RACE 7 – GRADE 1 COOLMORE CLASSIC 1500m of $600000 (AUS)

No Red Tracer on a 7 day back-up so weights go up here and a 53.5kg limit applies. Tricky draw for CATKINS. I guess she wants to get involved in the front half as well but is a serious chance of ending up wide no cover (and now under 58 kilos). DEAR DEMI meets CATKINS 2.5 kilos better off from the Wiggle run, is going to be naturally fitter, and her 2nd-up run last prep could barely be better form (.8L 3rd to It's a Dundeel/Atlantic Jewel). Damien Oliver first time is an added bonus. Wary of Waller's three - yes, even ARINOSA.

SELECTIONS – DEAR DEMI / CATKINS / A TIME FOR JULIA

RACE 8 – GRADE 1 RANVET STAKES 2000m of $500000 (AUS)

Wonderful race. CARLTON HOUSE assumes the lead with no pressure applied. Stablemate FIORENTE is a curious galloper in so far that his record out here is exemplary and he has managed to do it all without ever settling close to the front. That is unusual for a Waterhouse trained horse to say the last but things are working so why change. He has only ever had one run in Sydney (1.8L 3rd to All Too Hard in G1 1400m, off his initial Melbourne Cup). The gate here means he needn't get TOO far back from the leader and he'll be closing with strength. HAWKSPUR and IT’S A DUNDEEL high level threats.

SELECTIONS – FIORENTE / IT’S A DUNDEEL / HAWKSPUR

RACE 9 – GRADE 2 CELLARBRATIONS PHAR LAP STAKES 1500m of $175000 (AUS)

Cracking 3YO contest closes the show. 8 males, 6 fillies. Pace on offer from the Waterhouse trio and I fancy SOLICIT might take a little trail here today. I'm throwing at the stumps on two horses that rise several levels from last start wins. HIGH TEC and ROCK STURDY are still in their first preps and are up against some G1 performers here but they do both have a certain something. Could easily switch my way of thinking as there is proven quality elsewhere and if proceedings to date indicate the

inside is not ideal keep in mind they are drawn 1-2.

SELECTIONS – SOLICIT / HIGH TEC / ROCK STURDY