The Jockeys Appreciation Day meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday (3rd Aug). The course proper was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday and with light showers in Sydney leading to the weekend, Rosehill will border on Good/Soft condition on raceday.
The very consistent Lady Boss looks the horse to beat in the opening event at Rosehill (Sydney Race 1, 1500m). This lightly raced 4YO has never missed a place with three wins and two 3rds from five career starts. The mare is third-up on Saturday and she is ready to step up to 1500m. She should also relish the slightly soft track. Nicely drawn in barrier 3, Dylan Gibbons is likely to go to the lead to control the pace and Lady Boss is the one they have to catch.
Vivy Air is a good fresh horse and she could take out the NSW Jockeys Association Handicap (Sydney Race 3, 1200m). The 4YO mare is first-up after 16 weeks and the 1200m is a good starting point. Vivy Air is unbeaten at six furlong winning both starts at the trip. Champion hoop James McDonald will be on board and she has drawn beautifully in barrier 2. She has also gone down in class on Saturday. McDonald will settle just behind the leaders and Vivy Air will run over the top of this field down the Rosehill straight.
James Cummings-trained Nanshe is primed to peak in the Congratulations Zac Lloyd Handicap (Sydney Race 5, 1400m). This 5YO mare is only lightly raced but has been very consistent as she has only missed a place twice in ten career starts. Nanshe handles any track conditions and 1400m is her pet distance having won twice with two 3rds from four starts at the trip. James McDonald retains the ride on Saturday and from a nice gate (3), McDonald will go forward and sit one off one back in a stalking position and Nanshe could prove too strong in the run home.
By Owens Wong
