From Brad Widdup
Horse: High Dandy
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 4, Tulloch Stakes) High Dandy led and showed superior stamina to score by almost five lengths over 1600m at Wyong, earning himself a shot at the Tulloch Stakes and possibly the Derby. This time of year these races are here, they’re only once a year and you’ve got to have a bit of a go. He’s going to be a nice horse for us, and the sire is going super, Ace High.
Horse: Piplup
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 7, Vinery Stud Stakes) I am hoping to see the filly doing her best work late when she takes on the likes of Orchestral and Zardozi on Saturday and if she is, Piplup will continue on towards the ATC Australian Oaks. You want to go and watch her maiden win. You don’t see it very often, she came from the tail of the field, circled them and it was her first run at 2000 and second run of her preparation. I haven’t had a filly like this since I’ve started training. She appears to be a real stayer.
From Team Snowden
Horse: Queen Of Dragons
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 7, Vinery Stud Stakes) Queen Of Dragons brought up her second career win, and first at Stakes level, when she took out the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic on March 15. She won with authority and she’s done everything right since the run. It will be her first time at 2000 metres but she ran over 1800 at Flemington (last spring) and got beaten half-a-head so I’m pretty confident she will get the trip. She was pretty dominant the other day. She was on the pace, pulled a bit and raced a bit fresh but she hung tough and won well. She was the last one to pull up after the race so it was positive signs going forward. Maybe now she’s a bit older and a bit stronger we can really find out what sort of ability she does have. I reckon 2000 metres will be her right trip.
From John O’Shea
Horse: Linebacker
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 3, The Baillieu) Linebacker’s only appearance was a four-length maiden win at Hawkesbury in February. Linebacker had been given a quiet time since his win, kept up to the mark with a recent barrier trial win on 18th March. We’ve been trying to duck and weave. He had a week in the paddock and then a bit of steady time out at our farm at Hawkesbury. We gave him a trial so he’s good. With Kerrin McEvoy sidelined by injury, Tommy Berry has picked up the Baillieu ride on Linebacker after putting the colt through his paces in a trackwork gallop earlier this week.
Horse: Zou Tiger
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 6, Star Kingdom Stakes) I am curious to see what the rejuvenated Zou Tiger can produce first-up in the Group Star Kingdom Stakes. Three-year-old posted his first win in 18 months when successful back in January in the Carrington Stakes. Zou Tiger warmed up for a return splitting Overpass and Shinzo in a barrier trial on March 18. We gave him a nice chance to get through his surgery and get into a rhythm and he got the job done, and he got it done really well I must admit. We’ll get through Saturday and see what he does. He’s never been effective under 1300m so he’s probably a little compromised but I’m happy with where he’s at.
Horse: Athabascan
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, Tancred Stakes) Athabascan sat handy in the Sky High Stakes second-up two weeks ago but wasn’t as effective when he battled on seven lengths behind Lindermann over 2000m. I think we were too aggressive on him, because of his position in the market we wanted to give him the chance to be in the finish. He’s a genuine mile and a half horse so we’re hoping he can acquit himself well. We thought we’ve been riding him a bit close and now we get the chance to find his feet and particularly from that gate (10). He gets to his right trip, he’s third-up and we’re really happen with him.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 3 – Linebacker
Sydney Race 9 – Amor Victorious
