The San Domenico Stakes meeting will be held at Rosehill this Saturday. With fine weather throughout the week in Sydney, Rosehill was rated a Good 3 on Thursday. Few showers forecast for Saturday and I anticipate the track could border on Good 3/Dead 4 on raceday.
P.B. Lawrence Stakes day at Caulfield this weekend. The track was rated a Dead 5 on Thursday and with further showers forecast, Caulfield is likely to stay in the Dead range on raceday.
In the ClubsNSW Spring Preview Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1400m), Chris Waller has 4 runners in the race and I like Coup Ay Tee the most. The 6YO has been in good form winning at Rosehill last start over 1500m. He loves Rosehill as he has won and placed 11 times out of 16 starts at the track. He also has a good record over 1400m and from barrier 2, Rawiller will cuddle him on the fence mid-field and make his run rounding the home turn. Looks the winner.
In the Merrylands RSL Club BM80 Handicap (Sydney Race 4,1500m), I like the top weight Burbero. This O’Reilly gelding has been racing on unsuitable Slow/Heavy tracks with merit this preparation. Back to a drier track on Saturday suits him much better. He has a good record over 1500m winning twice from 4 starts. Down in class but up in the weight. From barrier 1, Bowman will be able to park him along the fence and get cover under his big weight (59kg). Currently at $4.50 at the fixed odds market, Burbero represents a good bet.
The feature race ‘The San Domenico Stakes’ (Sydney Race 6, 1100m) has gathered a good field of 3YOs including Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep. There has been strong rumours saying that the least experience runner in the race, the very well bred ‘Cluster’, has really developed into a lovely race horse during his spell. So much so that trainer Anthony Cummings has been able to persuade Hugh Bowman to jump off last start winner Windjammer and hop onto Cluster. From barrier 4, the son of Fastnet Rock should get a nice trail behind the pace. At the odds ($17.00 fixed odds), Cluster is certainly worth an each-way bet.
In the Mounties Group BM80 Handicap (Sydney Race 7, 1400m), Total Attraction had caught the eye for her first Sydney run. This former Melburnian ran well 1st up from mid-field to finish 3rd, beaten less than half a length. Down in class and up in weight but will be offset by Lester Grace’s 3kg claim, and will only carry 56.5kg. With a reasonable pace up front, Total Attraction will settle just behind mid-field from barrier 10. 1400m 2nd up looks ideal and I believe Total Attraction will do the job nicely for the punters.
By Owens Wong, Editor
