This Saturday’s The Rosebud meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens (17th Aug). The course proper was rated a Slow 6 and with light showers in Sydney over the next couple of days, Rosehill will be racing on a Soft track on raceday.
Team Messara & Gavranich-trained Intervarsity looks a top chance in the Highway Handicap (Sydney Race 3, 1300m). 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 seemed to peak on her run last start beaten 1.6 lengths by that good horse Lonhro’s Queen two weeks ago. She will be fitter being second-up on Saturday and she handles any track conditions. James McDonald will go forward from a wide gate and possibly sit one off one back in a stalking position and Intervarsity will finish the race off strongly.
James Cummings-trained Nanshe is primed to peak in the Kia Ora Prague 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 eleven career starts. Nanshe has good record on Soft tracks and 1400m is her pet distance having won twice with three placings from five starts at the trip. James McDonald retains the ride after a close 2nd over this track & trip two weeks ago. McDonald will go forward from a nice gate (6) and settle just behind the leaders and Nanshe could prove too strong in the run home.
The ever improving Gatsby’s looks the winner in the Rosebud at Rosehill (Sydney Race 6, 1100m). 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 the Snitzel colt has come back better and has really strengthened up. The Soft track should also suit. Gatsby’s can sprint well fresh and he will be the one they all have to catch.
By Owens Wong
