This Saturday’s Sydney meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens (8th January). The course proper was rated a Heavy 8 on Thursday and with light showers forecast for Sydney leading up to the weekend, Rosehill will be racing on a Soft track on raceday.
Fresh from riding a winning double at Warwick farm on Wednesday, Reece Jones could take Fashchanel to victory in the Precise Air Handicap (Sydney Race 3, 1500m). Fashchanel is the highest rated horse in the race and the 3kg (59kg) claim would really help the mare. The 5YO is rock hard fit and she is ready to step up to 1500m. She also has a good Soft tracks record. Jones will go forward and sit just behind likely leader Belle Espoir and Fashchanel looks one to beat.
The Annabel Neasham-trained Metro Legend is resuming in the Midway Handicap and the gelding has a pretty good first-up record (Sydney Race 4, 1400m). Neasham has given the 4YO two quiet trials in preparation for his return after his gelding operation. Metro Legend can handle any track conditions and the 1400m first-up looks ideal. Champion hoop James McDonald takes over the rein on Saturday and that’s another plus. With plenty of backmarkers in the race, McDonald will go forward and sit behind the leading bunch and Metro Legend will give punters a great sight at the finish.
Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman can combine with Loveplanet to take out the Ranvet Handicap (Sydney Race 7, 1500m). This Ocean Park gelding is pretty promising winning three on the trot in earlier preparation. And he can handle the Soft tracks and stepping up in trip on Saturday will certainly suit better. Beautifully drawn in barrier 3 and Hugh Bowman will be on board. Bowman will hug the fence and box seat behind the leaders and Loveplanet looks pretty hard to beat.
By Owens Wong, Editor
