From Michael Freedman
Horse: Blanc De Blanc
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 4, Magic Night Stakes) Since her debut win the two-year-old has endured tough runs from wide gates only to go down by less than a length in the Inglis Nursery, Inglis Millennium and Sweet Embrace Stakes. It has been amazing to think since her first start in a four horse field her next four runs, including Saturday (gate 13), she’s just drawn these horribly wide gates. We’re just going to hope she gets a run that gives her every chance and if she’s able to win her way into the Slipper then fingers crossed she comes through it all right. While backing up a week later is probably not the most conventional way I’d go about it, it’s certainly not insurmountable. In the two-year-old ranks I have no doubt she has the quality to be very competitive in the Slipper if she can get there. She’s going to need to hope for a bit of luck in running where she can at least get a half decent run in transit.
Horse: Daytona
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 6, Phar Lap Stakes) The gelding came from near last to be beaten 1.7 lengths by Elliptical in the CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington three weeks ago but the Phar Lap has come up stronger than expected. It’s probably unrealistic on facts and figures to think he’d be good enough to beat a filly like Zougotcha but he’s very genuine. He’s had a freshen up out at the Hawkesbury stable and I’ve changed things up a bit.
From Kerry Parker
Horse: Hope In Your Heart
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, Coolmore Classic) She went terrific first-up (in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes), it was a good starting point that’s for sure. I think she showed the determination was there and the will to win. She’s always been honest and genuine and she put it together there first-up. Once she was pushing through that gap I thought it would be game over when she got through and she finished it off really well. She had two trials going into that first-up run and she’s come on since then. She carried 55.5kg in the Gong against the boys so carrying 56kg against the girls is fine. I wanted a middle of the range draw, you don’t want to be boxed in on the fence. They are never easy to win but she has taken the steps and proven herself in mares grade so that’s terrific. With a big field it usually generates a bit of pace and if she has every chance and luck in running she’s going to be in the finish.
From Annabel Neasham
Horse: Sibaaq
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 9, Ajax Stakes) Sibaaq has eight starts since his arrival and after a low-key start, has made significant progress. Finishing 2nd in the Big Dance and Five Diamonds in the spring, Sibaaq resumed with an encouraging 4th to Think About It at Randwick last month. His first-up run was very good. It was a slow tempo, but he ran home well. He’s overdue a win but he had an amazing prep last campaign placing in the Big Dance and the Five Diamonds. He’s on a Doncaster path so he’ll head to the Ajax and the 1500 at Rosehill will be ideal.
From Gary Portelli
Horse: Fireburn
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 6, Phar Lap Stakes) If she doesn’t draw a decent barrier for a change then we’re probably not going to run her. She draws a wide gate in a big field and it’s going to be a cricket pitch on the weekend, then I think we’ve just got to be patient. Going back on her and just giving her absolutely no hope. On a dry track when you’ve got to get home in 33 (seconds), it’s hard to give fast horses six or eight lengths start on conditions that don’t suit you. We’re hoping that over the 1500m from a good gate we’d be able to possie up a little bit closer and give us some chance to show up.
From Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Horse: Bases Loaded
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 2, Pago Pago Stakes) Bases Loaded backed up a debut win with a gallant 3rd to Corniche in the Skyline Stakes (1200m). He ran an excellent 3rd here in the Skyline Stakes and looks to have improved nicely off that
Horse: Introducing
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 2, Pago Pago Stakes) Introducing got the job done at his only start at Warwick Farm last month. Introducing, he was an impressive midweek winner and he’s ready to take that next step into a grade like this. You could see him potentially there (in the Pago Pago) or in the Black Opal.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 5 – Clemenceau
Sydney Race 7 – Sunshine Rising
Sydney Race 8 – Hope In Your Heart
