Sydney racing will be staged at Rosehill this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Heavy 8 on Thursday and with further showers forecast over the next couple of days, Rosehill will surely be racing on a rain-affected surface on raceday.
Melbourne will be racing at Sandown Hillside on Saturday and the track was rated a Good 3 on Thursday but with showers forecast for Melbourne, Sandown is likely to be racing on a Dead surface on raceday.
Aegean Sea can set punters on a winning course in the opening event at Rosehill (Sydney Race 1, 1100m). The Clarry Conners-trained filly won well in her debut run two weeks ago leading from start to finish. Sam Clipperton will employ the same tactic from barrier 7 and Aegean Sea will be the horse they all have to catch.
Form jockey Blake Shinn can ride another winner for Chris Waller on board You’ll Never in the ‘HQ Of Insurance Handicap’ (Sydney Race 5, 1400m). Shinn had ridden You’ll Never in a trial in October while race jockey Jason Collett had been ridden the gelding in his two race starts this preparation. Shinn will be back aboard the 5YO on Saturday. You’ll Never has a good record over 1400m with 2 wins & 4 placings from 8 starts over the trip. With natural leader Beauty’s Beast coming from barrier 7, the race will be run at a reasonable pace and that will ensure You’ll Never finishing the race strongly.
The Garry Frazer-trained veteran Scottish Border can take out the Horsepower Feeds & Supplements Handicap (Sydney Race 6, 1800m). The 8YO is slowly working towards another victory as he was only beaten by about one and a half lengths in his past two starts in Sydney. Up slightly in class but down in weight, Scottish Border can handle the anticipated wet condition and he has previously won at the 1800m trip. Champion jockey Hugh Bowman will be aboard the gelding and currently at $21.00 fixed odds, Scottish Border is at tremendous value.
Top weight Lord Of The Sky is the class horse in the Emma Booth Christmas Cup (Melbourne Race 6, 1000m) and he should salute accordingly. The 4YO was hit by virus last preparation when he was beaten as an odds-on favourite before his spell. Trainer Robbie Laing has reported that Lord Of The Sky has come back in magnificent order and is ready to win first up. The Danerich stallion has a great strike rate at 1000m winning 4 and a 2nd placing from 7 starts. From barrier 5, Vlad Duric will take Lord Of The Sky straight to the lead and he’ll prove hard to catch.
By Owens Wong, Editor
