The San Domenico Stakes meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday (31st Aug). The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Rosehill will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
The promising It’s A Knockout could be the one to beat in the Merrylans RSL Club Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1500m). The lightly raced 4YO mare won well on debut over 1400m at Kensington leading from start to finish before a close 2nd over the same trip at Randwick three weeks ago. Being by Dundeel, the 1500m will suit It’s A Knockout better. Tim Clark is a great front running jockey and in a race without much pace, Clark will go straight to the front to control the pace and It’s A Knockout is the one they all have to catch.
Good colt Gatsby’s can continue his winning form by taking out the San Domenico Stakes on Saturday (Sydney Race 6, 1100m). The ever improving Gatsby’s returned in impressive fashion when winning the Rosebud first-up two weeks ago. The Waller-trained 3YO created a big impression with his debut win back in February before finishing 4th in the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes. The stable has reported that Gatsby’s has pulled up well and has taken improvement from his first-up run. The Snitzel colt is unbeaten over 1100m winning two from two and champion hoop James McDonald retains the ride. McDonald will settle somewhere mid-field and watch Gatsby’s run over the top of this field.
Team Waterhouse-trained Wanaruah can maintain his unbeaten record by taking out the Up & Coming Stakes (Sydney Race 7, 1300m). This Snitzel colt won well on debut on 19th Jun over 1250m before a second victory, this time over 1400m at Randwick leading from start to finish. The 3YO has a freshen up and the 1300m should suit. He will also benefit with the weight drop to 54.5kg on Saturday. Tommy Berry takes over the rein and he will go forward from the wide gate and Wanaruah will prove hard to catch.
By Owens Wong
