From John O’Shea
Horse: Athabascan
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 5, Colin Stephen Quality) Two solid efforts over shorter journeys laid the platform for his City Tattersall’s Club Cup victory last start and I expect him to prove it was no fluke when he steps out over the same distance in the Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill. He has trained on lovely and there’s no reason he wouldn’t run well on Saturday. He’s going to Flemington to The Bart Cummings. I think he is a genuine two-miler, so we’ll give him a chance (to get to the Melbourne Cup).
Horse: Kirwan’s Lane
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 7, Shannon Stakes) Kirwan’s Lane showed he had returned in good order when finishing midfield and less than three lengths from Golden Mile first-up in the Theo Marks Stakes. I think Kirwan’s will run well, it’s just his capacity to lump the weight (59kg). He is going to get a good, economical run and he loves the 1500 at Rosehill.
Horse: Lion’s Roar
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 7, Shannon Stakes) Lion’s Roar usually improves with racing and as a Wagga Cup runner-up, he is being aimed towards either the Big Dance or Little Dance at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day. Lion’s Roar is in good form, but he always needs a run or two.
From James Cummings
Horse: Marquess
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 3, Irresistible Pools & Spas Hcp) He put four in a row on the board before he went down narrowly to Howgoodareyou over 1800m. Marquess is going to meet Howgoodareyou far better at the weights this time. Hopefully as a horse he’s on the way to being one of our more promising stayers coming through the grades.
Horse: Alegron
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 5, Colin Stephen Quality) The run at Newcastle was at best the sign of a horse warming up late. Perhaps he was no better than second-up having got nothing out of the Wyong Cup. I’ve thrown him into this race on the quick back up, I’m looking to see more from the horse and I’m not the only one.
Horse: Cylinder
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, Golden Rose) Cylinder has had the perfect build up to Saturday’s Golden Rose. That horse is feeling great, Cylinder, he’s absolutely spot on. He arrives in the Golden Rose third-up so I’m quite pleased with the grounding that he’s enjoyed. Cylinder was our standout two-year-old last season and we’re just delighted that he’s trained on. He’s a different looking animal than when he was racing in March and his form is now just about reflecting it. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet this prep. I think there’s every chance it is going to work out in Cylinder’s favour this time. The draw is one thing but it’s how they jump around him and the intentions of others that can often determine your fate. Cylinder has great history of gate speed and the capacity to relax for his riders when required.
Horse: Pereille
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 9, Chandon Hcp) If he can run the seven furlongs right out he would certainly be one of the horses in the race with the turn of foot required to get up and win. If he’s ridden quiet from the draw you’d want to be seeing horses flood home down the outside.
From Gary Portelli
Horse: Encap
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, Golden Rose) He was just small, a bit short coupled, didn’t have much scope and looked a fast horse. I thought if he couldn’t gallop first gallop we’d be in a bit of trouble. The improvement from this horse from that (Hawkesbury) barrier trial until now you couldn’t write the script. It’s unbelievable, it just doesn’t happen. The fact he ran time the other day would suggest if he reproduces that run he’s a top three or four chance for sure. He’s the underdog that just keeps sniping away and making his way up the ladder. As it was he was a bully little colt and wouldn’t go at all. He came back as a gelding and improved, and has not stopped improving. I think he can be just on the pace somewhere, stalking a leader like we did the other day (in the Ming Dynasty). He takes a bit of winding up. When he was beaten a couple of times jockeys were a bit late to get going on him and he takes about 100m before he starts to get going. He’s a work in progress but he couldn’t be peaking on a better day. I haven’t found his ceiling yet, I hope we haven’t found it. I don’t know what he’s capable of because he’s done more than we’ve ever dreamt he would do.
From Clint Lundholm
Horse: Skyforger
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 1, Highway Hcp) (Ronald) Simpson claims 3.5kg off the 56.5kg for dual race winner Skyforger in the TAB Highway. When we went up $51, that was ridiculous. Ronnie has won twice on him, he drops a stack in weight, he’s drawn well, has genuine upside and will relish 1500m. He’ll run us a race I thought around $16 was a more realistic price, it’s only a country Class 2. But it’s exciting times for the kid, he’s just about outridden his country allowance, he’s going up north for three months on loan to the Gollans. With their quality, its a fantastic opportunity. And I think we’re a realistic chance in our race.
From Matthew Smith
Horse: True Marvel
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 5, Colin Stephen Quality) Placed in the Sydney and Brisbane Cups earlier this year, the eight-year-old is a genuine two-miler. True Marvel will have his next start in Saturday’s Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill and although Sydney’s spring heatwave will ensure conditions are firm, I hope it can be a campaign stepping-stone. He probably won’t ‘turn up’ until he gets a soft track over a mile-and-a-half or further. But he’s coming along well. His work has been good, he’s come out of his last race fine so he’s on track. He’s just a genuine two-miler.
From Chris Waller
Horse: Militarize
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, Golden Rose) Militarize took his place in the Run To The Rose and hit the line strongly to run 5th, beaten three-quarters of a length by Cylinder and he’s got an inside barrier when the son of Dundeel came up with gate two. He wasn’t beaten far, he drew bad and finished off well over 1200m. I think if he had equal weights and drew a good barrier he arguably wins the race first-up. The 1400m will suit him well, obviously it’s a good race and a barrier draw would help.
Horse: Shinzo
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, Golden Rose) The stable has elected not to give Shinzo a lead up run in the Group 2 Run To The Rose two weeks go. He’s been in work a long time. He spelled after the Golden Slipper and had his full six weeks out. We bought him in back in June so he’s been in work for a while. He did that lovely uphill pre-training work, he’s never looked heavy all preparation. He had two trials, they’ve been spot on, he had an exhibition gallop and then he had a jump out at home last Tuesday. He’s strengthened up and you saw what he did as a two-year-old. He’s come back stronger and mentally he’s fantastic which I think is great for colts. It’s a sign of who he is, he’s a proper horse.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 5 – Al Aabir
Sydney Race 6 – Zougotcha
Sydney Race 8 – Cylinder
