The Five Diamonds meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday (11th Nov). The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with storms in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Rosehill is likely to border on Good/Soft condition on raceday.
Top weight Caboche is the highest rated horse in the Petaluma Handicap and he could win accordingly (Sydney Race 2, 2400m). The Waller-trained gelding has slowly worked his way up in distance and Saturday’s 2400m will suit as he has only missed a place once from four starts at the trip. A strong rider like Nash Rawiller would also suit. Waller is taking the blinkers off and that will help the 5YO to settle better in transit. Rawiller will be settling one off one back and give Caboche every chance under the 60.5kg.
Roots is primed to take out the Hot Danish Stakes (Sydney Race 6, 1400m). The 5YO mare did a good job during the winter carnival finishing one length off Comrade Rosa in the Dane Ripper Stakes before a close 2nd in the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara. She resumed against strong oppositions in the Alan Brown Stakes and then The Invitation and a drop in class on Saturday will help and the fact that Tommy Berry sticks with the horse is also a good sign. Third up last preparation, Roots took out the Emancipation Stakes here at Rosehill and that’s another good sign. Berry could settle a bit closer just behind the pace from the good gate (2) especially with blinkers on for the first time and Roots will be ready to explode in the straight.
Antino has been in fine form and he has conditions to suit in the Five Diamonds (Sydney Race 8, 1800m). The 5YO gelding won the Sandown Stakes three starts back before close 2nds in the Toorak Handicap and the Crystal Mile. Rock hard fit being fifth-up on Saturday and Antino has drawn perfectly in barrier 2. The Everest winning jockey Sam Clipperton will be on board and Clipperton will settle just behind the leaders in a stalking position and Antino will be ready to pounce rounding the home turn.
By Owens Wong
