It’s Tancred Stakes day at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with virtually no rain forecast for Sydney leading up to the weekend, Rosehill will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
The Canberra-trained Almost Court can make it back to back black-typed victories in the Neville Sellwood Stakes (Sydney Race 2, 2000m). This 5YO gelding has been in good form winning 3 of his last 5 starts. And he won the Canberra Cup last start over this trip leading from start to finish. Winning jockey Christian Reith will once again be aboard the gelding on Saturday. From barrier 5, Reith will go straight to the lead and sit inside Arbeitsam. Almost Court will prove hard to catch over the Rosehill 2000m course.
Top 3YO Mongolian Marshal can continue his winning form in the Tulloch Stakes (Sydney Race 5, 2000m). This gelding has won his past 2 starts in New Zealand over a mile. Being by High Chaparral, stepping up to 2000m will certainly suit. From barrier 3, Craig Williams will settle mid-field on the fence and receives a cushy run in transit. Mongolian Marshal is a horse on the up and he will finish too powerfully for these lots.
The 2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin will have conditions to suit in the Tancred Stakes (Sydney Race 6, 2400m). The Liam Howley-trained gelding has slowly stepping up in distance and the 2400m on Saturday will certainly suit him better. Almandin was very unlucky last start in the Australian Cup having caught in a pocket in the last 500m and never had a chance to get out, eventually finishing just behind the placegetters. With the acceptance of Lasqueti Spirit, she will ensure a hot pace up front all the way and that will play into the hands of Almandin. The in-form Kerrin McEvoy will settle back in the field and Almandin will swoop strongly in the straight.
By Owens Wong, Editor
