The Theo Marks Stakes meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 3 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney over the next couple of days, Rosehill will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
The in-from Bjorn Baker stable has good colt Addictive Nature engaged in the Stan Fox Stakes and he is primed to take out this Group 2 event (Sydney Race 4, 1500m). The Savabeel 3YO has never been out of a placing in three career starts and he took out the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Handicap brilliantly a fortnight ago, leading from start to finish. Judging by his breeding, the step up to 1500m will suit Addictive Nature even better. Tim Clark has been ridden the colt throughout his career and he’ll be on board once again on Saturday. Clark will likely go forward and share the lead with Trapeze Artist and Addictive Nature could be hard to catch.
Egg Tart is a great mare and she had won 2 Group 1 Oaks last preparation, however 1st up over 1300m may be a bit short for her in the Theo Marks Stakes (Sydney Race 5, 1300m). The Ron Quinton-trained Dixie Blossoms has been a consistent performer, She had won the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes last preparation and she finished off the campaign with a grand 3rd in the Group 1 Queen of The Turf Stakes, beaten only 1 length by Foxplay. Race jockey Corey Brown has been on the 5YO in her 2 barrier trial victories in preparation for her return on Saturday. Dixie Blossoms has a pretty good 1st up record and she’s versatile enough to settle anywhere in transit so barrier 8 would not be a problem. Dixie Blossoms will be hard to hold out in the run home.
Team Snowden has tuned Pariah up well for The Run To The Rose on Saturday, a stepping stone to the Group 1 Golden Rose (Sydney Race 7, 1200m). This Blue Diamond runner-up has taken his good form to his 3YO season by winning the San Domenico Stakes 1st up. His main opposition, Menari, has drawn the outside gate (11) whereas Pariah is certain to get the run of the race from barrier 3 with Blake Shinn in the saddle once again after the pair combined successfully in the San Domenico Stakes. Stepping up to 1200m 2nd up is ideal. Shinn will settle the colt somewhere mid-field with plenty of cover and Pariah will be full of running in the straight.
By Owens Wong, Editor
