The Run To The Rose meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday (14th Sept). The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with light showers in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Rosehill will border on Good/Soft condition on raceday.
Team Messara & Gavranich-trained Intervarsity can win her second Highway Handicap in three starts at Rosehill (Sydney Race 2, 1400m). This lightly raced 4YO mare started off her career with a bang, posted two easy all the way wins at Muswellbrook in her first two starts back in November. She took out a Class 3 Highway brilliantly two starts back before she lost momentum late when 4th in the Listed Mona Lisa Plate at Wyong. A big drop in class on Saturday will benefit her and she handles any track conditions. Zac Wadick will claim 3kg (59kg) and from a wide gate, he will go forward and possibly lead the race and Intervarsity will be the one they have to catch.
Top 3YO Bustling could be the one to beat in the Run To The Rose (Sydney Race 8, 1200m). This gelding has won four of his five starts as a 2YO in Perth and he handles any track condition. Race jockey Chad Schofield partnered the 3YO to a barrier trial win at Rosehill on 5th September and he was very impressed with the gelding. Bustling is also unbeaten over 1200m winning two from two. Schofield will take advantage of a good gate (2) and will box seat behind Storm Boy. Bustling will be showing why he is first horse chosen for a slot in this year’s Everest.
The very consistent Punch Lane can take out the Theo Marks Stakes first-up (Sydney Race 9, 1300m). The Listed Glasshouse winner during the Brisbane winter carnival has good fresh record and he has never missed a place over 1300m with two wins and two placings from four attempts at the trip. He also handles any track conditions. From barrier 12, Chad Schofield will go forward and sit just behind the leaders and Punch Lane will be running home strongly down the Rosehill straight.
By Owens Wong