This Saturday’s Sydney meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens (20th Jan). The course proper was rated a Heavy 9 on Thursday and with mainly fine and warm weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Rosehill will be racing on a Soft track on raceday.
Top weight Customized has the advantage of race experience and has drawn barrier 1 in the opening event at Rosehill (Sydney Race 1, 1100m). This Team Snowden-trained 2YO ran home well into 3rd on debut in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes behind subsequent Magic Millions winner Storm Boy. The Capitalist colt will be fitter when second-up on Saturday and he will be facing weaker oppositions. A strong rider like Nash Rawiller will suit and he will settle just behind the leading bunch on the rail. Customized will be running home strongly.
Lightly raced 3YO Soldier Of Rome could be the horse to beat in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (Sydney Race 5, 1100m). This Snitzel colt won well on debut back in March last year. First up from a break of 45 weeks and though he’s facing a tougher grade, he’s stronger and much more mature. Drawn beautifully in gate 1 and he should handle the Soft track being by Snitzel. Adam Hyeronimus will go straight to the lead and Soldier Of Rome could prove hard to catch.
Zoustar gelding Danaustar has been quite consistent and he is the one to watch in the Chandon Handicap (Sydney Race 7, 1400m). The 5YO has won back to back races this campaign before a close 2nd to Robusto at Randwick last start. Danaustar has a great record over 1400m with three wins and two placings from six starts at the trip and he can handle any track conditions. The in-form Jason Collett will take over the rein and from the nice gate (2), Collett will go forward to control the pace and Danaustar is the one they all have to catch.
By Owens Wong
