The Coolmore Classic/Ranvet Stakes meeting will be held at Rosehill this Saturday. The track was rated a Dead 5 on Thursday and with possible showers in Sydney for the next two days, Rosehill is likely to be racing on a Dead surface.
In the opening event at Rosehill (Sydney Race 1, 1100m), the Schofield father & son team is going to fight out the finish. Chad Schofield will be riding the Melbourne visitor Flamberge. This Peter Moody-trained 4YO has run slashing races in his past 2 starts finishing 5th in both the Oakleigh Plate & Newmarket Handicap behind new sprint star Lankan Rupee. Flamberge has a good record over 1100m having won twice & placed further two times from 5 starts. He also has a good record racing on Dead track. From barrier 1, Chad will tuck Flamberge behind the leaders on the fence and make his move in the straight. Chad can score in this race over his father’s mount and race favourite That’s A Good Idea.
The favourite in the Todman Stakes (Sydney Race 3, 1200m), Unencumbered, is a good sprinter but the potential ‘Dead’ condition on Saturday could be against him. I am leaning towards the Tony McEvoy-trained Risen From Doubt. The 2YO colt won the Maribyrnong trial last spring before resuming with a good 3rd behind Mossfun in the Silver Slipper. Risen From Doubt has shown that he can handle Dead/Slow condition and from barrier 3, Bowman will make sure he gets a good run in transit. Risen From Doubt looks the winner in the Todman Stakes.
Top weight Catkins is the most inform mare in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (Sydney Race 7, 1500m). However her barrier 14 (into 13 after the scratching of White Sage) & her 58kg could anchor her in the race. I believe Joseph Pride can provide the Coolmore winner, with his good mare Steps In Time. The 6YO ran a nose 2nd to Catkins 1st up in the Breeders Classic and she has since won a 1200m trial by 4 lengths. She is primed to run a strong 1500m on Saturday. Steps In Time can handle all track conditions and from barrier 7, Jim Cassidy will take her straight to the lead and she could prove hard to run down. Currently at $9.00 fixed odds, Steps In Time is great value.
It’s going to be a match race between It’s A Dundeel & Fiorente in the Ranvet Stakes (Sydney Race 8, 2000m). Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente has won the Australian Cup in tenacious fashion, but I believe over 2000m at WFA, It’s A Dundeel would have better tactical speed & acceleration. The kiwi champion was a bit vulnerable in the Chipping Norton being 1st up over 1600m. However he would be a much harder nut to crack as he has never been beaten 2nd up in his three previous campaigns. He has a good record over 2000m & can handle all track condition. He’ll be in front of Fiorente in the straight and with his superior turn of foot, It’s A Dundeel will be hard to catch.
By Owens Wong, Editor
