The Australian Turf Club invites racegoers to enjoy a weekend of Group racing action this Saturday, 16 February at Rosehill Gardens, for Royal Sovereign Stakes Day.
Patrons on course will have the chance to enter the ‘SMS to WIN’ competition where one lucky winner will walk away with a gold sovereign worth $750.
On the track, one of the features of the day, the Group 2 $175,000 Royal Sovereign Stakes will see the unbeaten New Zealander Sacred Falls (Leith Innes) have his first Australian start. The three-year-old colt boasts 6 wins from as many starts, but will find strong competition from Gary Portelli-trained Rebel Dane (Jason Collett) who also remains undefeated with three wins.
Ashokan (James McDonald) from the John O’Shea yard will make his return to the track for the first time since his spring campaign will also be a threat after a series of good barrier trials at Royal Randwick.
The Group 2 $175,000 Light Fingers Stakes is another highlight on the eight-race program. The 1200m sprint will see a number of Group winning fillies face the starter including Grahame Begg-trained Bennetta (James McDonald) who will be searching for a hat-trick of wins this start. The three-year-old will face Group 1 winner Dear Demi (Jim Cassidy) who will return to the track for the first time since taking out the Crown Oaks last spring.
Gai Waterhouse-trained Driefontein (Tommy Berry) will also take her place in the field of eleven. The daughter of Fastnet Rock will be looking to improve on the two placings in her third start this campaign.
A quality field of seven will line up in the Group 2 $175,000 NSW Thoroughbred Breeder’s Classic over 1200m. Pear Tart (Christian Reith) will start as the top weight at 58kg and will be very competitive after displaying recent impressive barrier trial form. The race will also see the return of Black type performers Steps in Time (Jim Cassidy) from the John O’Shea stable and Chris Waller-trained Red Tracer (Hugh Bowman) to the track following a three month spell.
The first race gets underway at 12.50pm and gates open to the public at 11.00am. The rail will be +3m Entire Circuit and the track is currently sitting at a Slow 7 rating.
Source : Australian Turf Club
