Winners For Saturday’s Sydney Meeting At Rosehill (Sat, 8th Dec)

This Saturday’s Sydney meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with mainly fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Rosehill will be racing on a Good track on raceday.

The promising colt Baller is looking for his third win in his first preparation in the Membership Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1400m). The Team Cummings-trained 3YO won on his debut six weeks ago before finishing 4th over Saturday’s track & trip. Baller returned to the winner’s circle last start over 1250m on the 22nd November. He’ll be at his peak fitness 4th up and is ready to run out a strong 1400m. Gun jockey Tommy Berry will once again be in the saddle. It’s likely Berry will go to the front and control the pace from barrier 5 and Baller will be hard to catch.

English import Abdon is stepping up to a more suitable distance in the Summer Racing Handicap (Sydney Race 4, 2000m) and he’s ready to break through for his first Australia victory. The 6YO has been racing consistently in his second Australian preparation finishing 2nd twice in his past 4 starts. He was just nosed out by Our Century last start in the November Topaz at Rosehill over 1900m. A significant gear change on Saturday with Abdon wearing tongue tie for the first time. The in-form James McDonald will take over the rein on Saturday. Abdon will show his class over 2000m on Saturday despite his 60kg impost.

The ATC Tipping Competition Handicap looks to be a suitable race for Team Snowden-trained Smartedge (Sydney Race 5, 1400m). This Smart Missile 4YO resumed with a good 4th, after having to ease off heels in the straight, here at Rosehill (1300m) a fortnight ago. Stepping up to 1400m 2nd up looks ideal. Being a backmarker, the anticipated good pace in the race will suit Smartedge. With a patient rider like Kerrin McEvoy on board, Smartedge will finish off strongly and run over the top of this field.

By Owens Wong, Editor

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