The George Ryder Stakes meeting will be held at Rosehill this Saturday. Rosehill was rated a Heavy 8 on Thrusday and with further showers forecast for Sydney, Rosehill is likely to be racing on a Heavy surface on raceday.
In the opening event at Rosehill (Sydney Race 1, 2400m), Chris Waller has 3 of the 8 runners in the race and I believe his imported stayer Opinion can beat stablemate & race favourite Junoob. Opinion ran 2nd to Junoob last start over 2000m but I am doubtful if Junoob could handle the likely Heavy track on Saturday. On the other hand, Opinion has a great record on rain-affected track winning 3 from 5 starts and the step up to 2400m will suit him well. Opinion is the horse to beat in the Manion Cup.
The Magic Night Stakes (Sydney Race 4, 1200m) represents the last chance for some of these fillies to crack into the Golden Slipper field. The Melbourne visitor Bring Me The Maid currently sits 22nd in the Slipper order of entry and requires to win the Magic Night to ensure of a start in the Slipper. She could well do just that on Saturday. She won on her debut at Flemington earlier this month and she was undone by the tight turning Mooney Valley track last start. Bring Me The Maid is by Sebring so I expect her to handle the wet condition & 3rd up over 1200m is ideal for her.
Top weight Sidestep is the class runner in the Darby Munro Stakes (Sydney Race 5, 1200m). The 3YO resumed with a fast finishing 2nd in the Fireball Stakes (1100m), coming from last to be beaten a nose by Shamalia. Stepping up to 1200m 2nd up is perfect for him and he can handle the anticipated wet condition on Saturday. From barrier 6, Kerrin McEvoy can settle Sidestep a bit closer in a mid-field position. Currently at $6.00 fixed odds, Sidestep is pretty good value.
The best wet track horse in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (Sydney Race 7, 1500m) is without doubt ‘Red Tracer’. The 6YO mare has started 10 times on Slow & Heavy tracks for 8 wins and a second. Originally Chris Waller wasn’t going to start Red Tracer on Saturday but the likely Heavy track has prompted Waller to change his mind. Red Tracer is very much in-form as she won easily 1st up in the Millie Fox & she finished a good 3rd last start in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes. The barrier 13 wouldn’t be as big a disadvantage on a Heavy track as the rail section would be pretty chopped up by the time race 7 comes around. Red Tracer will give punters a great sight at the finish in the George Ryder Stakes.
By Owens Wong, Editor
