This Saturday’s Winter Cup meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens. The course proper was rated a Heavy 9 on Thursday and with further showers in Sydney over the next couple of days, Rosehill will be racing on a Heavy track on raceday.
Godolphin-owned Andermatt looks the horse they have to beat in the opening event at Rosehill (Sydney Race 1, 1100m). This Snitzel colt won on debut at Kembla over 1000m before his close 2nd over this track & trip on a Heavy 8 track a fortnight ago. Andermatt obviously can handle the anticipated Heavy condition and champion hoop Hugh Bowman retains the ride. There’s an interesting gear change as James Cummings decided to put a Cross-Over Nose Band on the 2YO. Andermatt looks pretty hard to beat.
Top weight Bound To win is going to show that she is the best horse in the Yes Yes Yes New To Coolmore Handicap (Sydney Race 3, 1500m). This Team Snowden-trained filly is in-form and can handle any track conditions. She had won two races in a row including her last start victory over 1400m here at Rosehill on a Heavy 8 track. Even fitter 4th up and she will run out the 1500m strongly. With pretty good pace in the race, Tommy Berry is likely to settle mid-field and Bound To Win looks set to make it three straight wins.
The Waller-trained The Lord Mayor will get his chance to breakthrough for a win in the Winter Cup (Sydney Race 4, 2400m). The 5YO has slowly worked his way back into form as the gelding finished 3rd last start in The Lord Mayors Cup. He’s rock hard fit being 4th up and stepping up to 2400m will suit. He can handle the wet condition and Hugh Bowman returns on board on Saturday. The smaller field will also suit as Bowman will once again drop back in the field and put The Lord Mayor to sleep. Down the long Randwick straight, The Lord Mayor will be hard to hold out in the run home.
By Owens Wong, Editor
