The Rosebud meeting will be held at Rosehill this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Rosehill will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Vaucluse Bay has been in terrific form and he can continue on his winning way in the Fairfield RSL Club Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 2000m). The 4YO gelding has won his last 2 starts with the later over this track & trip a fortnight ago. Vaucluse Bay has an affinity with his home track having never been beaten winning both starts at Rosehill. The in-form Corey Brown will once again be aboard the gelding. From barrier 5, Brown can settle the 4YO just behind the pace and Vaucluse Bay is set to make it a hat-trick of wins on Saturday.
The Godolphin-owned gelding Badajoz has been racing consistently this preparation and is primed to take out the Dooleys Handicap (Sydney Race 4, 1100m). The 5YO has started off the campaign with two 2nds before victory over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast. Last start, he put up a grand effort to finish 5th in the Ramornie Handicap beaten only 1.7 lengths coming off from barrier 14. He also has a terrific record over 1100m having only missed a place once from 10 starts at the trip, amongst them 3 wins and 6 placings. James Cummings has kept Badajoz up to the mark by giving him an easy 900m trial 10 days ago. Interestingly Cummings is taking the Tongue Tie off for the first time on Saturday. Badajoz is currently at reasonable odds at $5.50 in the fixed odds market.
The Team Waterhouse-trained Siege of Quebec is looking to maintain his unbeaten record when contesting The Rosebud on Saturday (Sydney Race 6, 1100m). The late maturing colt only started his career on 27th June but has won 2 from 2 since. Dropping back to 1100m may not be ideal but with 4 weeks between runs, Siege of Quebec should sprint well fresh. He is well weighted with only half a kilo above the limit at 54.5kg. From the inside gate (1), Tim Clark will take the 3YO straight to the front and Siege of Quebec will prove hard to catch.
By Owens Wong, Editor
