This Saturday’s Sydney meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens. The course proper was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Rosehill will border on Good/Soft condition on raceday.
The Waller-trained Gresham had won his last two starts and is ready to continue his winning way in the Ascot Restaurant Sale Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1400m). The 3YO has been in good from this campaign having finished 3rd when 1st up at Warwick Farm on 9th May, followed by 2 subsequent victories over 1500m. Last start at Rosehill, Gresham carried 60kg leading from start to finish, blitzing the field by 2.3 lengths running his last 600m in 34.37secs. The gelding can handle any track conditions and has drawn perfectly in gate 5. Without a natural leader in the race, Blake Shinn could once again take up the leading role and Gresham could prove hard to catch.
Good mare So Splendid is resuming in the #Theraces Handicap after a four month break (Sydney Race 4, 1500m). The 4YO won her last race before her spell in January over 1800m and when a mare goes for a spell in top form, she usually comes back in top form. Waller has given her 2 soft trials in the lead-up to her 1st up run. So Splendid has pretty good 1st up record and she can handle any track condition. The in-form Kerrin McEvoy will be on board and from barrier 8, McEvoy will go forward and sit behind the leaders. So Splendid is capable of sprinting well fresh and take out this event.
Top weight Vaucluse Bay is the class horse in the race and he looks the one to beat in the Winter Racing Handicap (Sydney Race 5, 1800m). The 4YO gelding finished with 2 placings from his first 2 starts this preparation. Stepping up to 1800m 3rd up looks ideal. Up in weight but down in class on Saturday, and with form apprentice Lee Magorrian’s 2kg claim, Vaucluse Bay will only have to carry 59kg which could prove to be a winning weight. Nicely drawn in barrier 5, Magorrian will settle mid-field with plenty of cover. Watch Vaucluse Bay overpower this field in the run home. Currently at $7.00 in the fixed odds market, Vaucluse Bay represents a good value bet.
By Owens Wong, Editor
