The Run To The Rose meeting will be held at Rosehill this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Heavy 8 on Thursday and with overcast weather forecast for Sydney over the next couple of days, Rosehill could border on Soft/Heavy condition on raceday.
The Memsie Stakes meeting will be held at Caulfield on Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 3 on Thursday and the Group 1 meeting is likely to be held on a Good track on raceday.
Top weight Soviet Courage could make it four wins on the trot by taking out the opening event at Rosehill (Sydney Race 1, 2400m). The Waller-trained 5YO has won his last two starts over this track & trip with both victories coming on Heavy track. The gelding has never missed a place over 2400m and he has an imposing record on Heavy track with 3 wins & a placing from 4 attempts. From barrier 4, Angland will settle the gelding just behind the leaders and even with 59.5kg, Soviet Courage is the horse to beat.
Big Brown 3YO Wudang Mountain looks a good chance in the McGrath Estate Agents Handicap (Sydney Race 3, 1400m). The colt won well 1st up on a Heavy track with Bowman on top and he wasn’t disgraced last start finishing 4th behind the promising Kimberley Star. Waller has kept the 3YO ticking with a barrier trial last week and with Bowman back on board, Wudang Mountain is looking to return to the winner’s stall on Saturday. Currently at $7.00 fixed odds, Wudang Mountain represents a value bet.
Waller can combine with Bowman once again to take out the MTA NSW Run To The Rose with the very much in-form Japonisme (Sydney Race 5, 1200m). The Choisir 3YO has been unbeaten this preparation winning all his 4 starts, culminating to his last start victory over the Golden Slipper winner Vancouver in the San Domenico Stakes. Japonisme is versatile, in-from, can handle any track condition and there is no reason why he cannot make it five wins on the trot. Waller has set the gelding for the Golden Rose and Japonisme can make a big statement towards the Group 1 race by taking out the Run To The Rose on Saturday.
Lightly raced 4YO Hi World could be the one to beat in the NZ Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (Melbourne Race 8, 1400m). Hi World was in brilliant form winning 3 races in a row before his spell. And he has never missed place 1st up from 3 attempts. Unlike some of his main oppositions like Volkstok’N’Barrell and Weary who have drawn wide, Hi World has drawn the rail and Kerrin McEvoy is likely to push forward to share the lead and he could be the one they all have to catch. Currently at $10.00 fixed odds, Hi World is a value bet in an open race.
By Owens Wong, Editor
