From Kris Lees
Horse: Luncies
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 7, January Cup) The 2000-metre event will mark the first time the imported seven-year-old has been out of Group company for the season. It’s an ideal race, just that little bit off the top standard of race, which is perfect for him. He’s always capable, he’ll run well like always, but he’s just got to give a bit of weight to those up-and-coming horses. He’s bounced out of that return run well, the three weeks between runs is ideal for him, so he’ll run well again.
From David McColm
Horse: Far Too Easy
Message: (Saturday, Gold Coast Race 10, Magic Millions Cup) Far Too Easy was placed in the Ramornie at Grafton, The Kosciusko at Randwick and the Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm at his three starts before a last start win in the Listed Lough Neagh last month. He’s been an unlucky horse but he’s had 19 starts and won eight times and almost $1.3 million in prize money, so a lot of people would say we’ve been very lucky. He probably should have won considerably more prize money but he’s been sensational for us to win what he has so far. I’m disappointed with the draw (barrier 21 but will jump from16 without the emergencies) and ideally I would have preferred a middle draw. It makes it a bit harder but it could be a blessing in disguise if the track is soft or heavy.
From Brett Robb
Horse: Gallant Star
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 4, Inglis Classic Sale Handicap) Gallant Start came up with a dynamic Highway win two weeks ago at Randwick. A lot of people have been saying he’s better than a Highway horse and this is a perfect stepping stone. He would have got a bit of weight in a Highway and I’d have to wait another week. I just want to give him one more run and freshen him for the Championships. I’m already half running out of time. The horse does race a lot better when you get him on the outside of horses and it’s going to be hard from barrier one to get out there. I would like to see him attack the line up the rail, save the ground and attack the line like he did the other day around horses. When he’s on the outside he’s shown he can let down and go, it’d be good to see him do that around horses and take a run. But he’s very well, I can’t get him any better at the moment. He came through Randwick really well.
From Nathan Doyle
Horse: Boston Rocks
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 9, Toyota Forklifts Hcp) I thought it was quite a tough run first-up and he’d only had one trial, it mightn’t be to his benefit to go to Gosford. They went quick and he was always chasing. He did a good job to get over the line. Ideally we were going to run last week (at Randwick) but we drew a sticky gate so we waited a week and we got in with no weight and drawn a nice gate. The four weeks between runs is okay with him, he’s shown he’s improved a lot out of that first-up run and the 1200m won’t be an issue. You just want to see him keep improving. He’s showed he’s well and truly up to Saturday grade, how far he goes beyond that you don’t really know until you step them up. I think he’s well placed, it’s not a strong 78 on paper and he’s a young three-year-old on the way up. He’ll do no work at all and ideally he’ll get a nice run in behind the speed. He’s done super at home and if it all pans out right I’d be disappointed if he’s not in the finish again.
From Annabel Neasham
Horse: Lady Laguna
Message: (Saturday, Gold Coast Race 11, Magic Millions Fillies & Mares) She’s a good chance, she’s drawn out a little (gate 10) but I think the race is late in the day so it might not be the worst thing with the rain that we’ve had around… she can go on firm ground or wet ground but often the wet ground disadvantages other horses so I wouldn’t be afraid if there was a few more showers coming. Tyler (Schiller) won on her the other day but he was already committed to another horse so we managed to get J Mac on which we’re pretty chuffed about and she’s just a really tough, honest mare.
Horse: Naval College
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 7, January Cup) He’s going really well, I thought his win the other day was super, he drops in weight here, Jett (Stanley) knows him really well and it’s a good opportunity for him as well. He hasn’t ridden a stakes winner yet, he’s still a two kilo claiming apprentice but he’s ridden him as well as anyone and a lot of the senior jockeys are up here this weekend so it does give a lot of the guys in Sydney a bit more opportunity.
From John O’Shea
Horse: Sydney Bowler
Message: (Saturday, Gold Coast Race 9, Magic Millions 3YO Guineas) We’re pretty happy with him, we were very disappointed with the barrier draw (gate 17) so we’re going to have to see how the track plays and hopefully Jason (Collett) can give him a decent run in the race. Aware that the son of Deep Field is making a big leap in grade given the two favourites, Chrysaor and Cifrado, are both Group 2 winners, I would like to see Sydney Bowler settle near the speed and have first run. I would sooner be in a forward position, I think that’s our advantage over the two other favourites in the race, they’ve got racing patterns, they need luck from their draw whereas his racing pattern is such that he can take a spot and alleviate a lot of traffic. It’s a lovely race for him, I was hoping to draw well because I thought his racing pattern would be an advantage on the way the track played last Saturday but it may turn around anyway because they’re predicting rain throughout the week and it might be completely different.
From Joseph Pride
Horse: Fire Tribe
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 4, Inglis Classic Sale Hcp) Fire Tribe who steps up in class in the Inglis Classic Sale Handicap after an impressive maiden win on Boxing Day. While he goes straight to a Benchmark 72, the potential is there for Fire Tribe to measure up. It’s a bit of a jump in grade but when you win a metro maiden it’s hard to go back to the provincials because they make you a 64 (rater). All of a sudden you’re carrying 61kg, I’d rather have 54kg on his back and give him a crack at the prizemoney. He could run second and win more than if he won a provincial race. I’ve got a lot of time for him. He has that nice soft draw (gate 4) and that should enable him to race a little bit closer and he’s got a really good finish on him.
Horse: Estadio Mestalla
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, Ranvet Hcp) Generally these tried horses if they trial well they race well. Awful gate (9), I’m toying with riding him forward. I don’t see the use of dragging back in a race that has no tempo. I’ll have a think about that, but there’s a good chance he’d press forward with no weight on his back. There should still be upside to him and he’s trialled like there is.
Horse: Testator Silens
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 10, TAB Hcp) Testator Silens has been able to turn his form around since rejoining the stable and hopes to cap the preparation with a win at Rosehill on Saturday. He had one trial and he wasn’t showing much, he was very difficult and so the owner said ‘I’ll give him to my country trainer (Luke Clarke) and he might be easier to handle there. They did a great job getting him off to the races. Maybe he lost his way a little bit toward the end of his last prep so they thought he was worth a shot bringing him back into town. And he’s been really good. He’s hitting the line really hard, in all three runs he’s hit the line. He’s racing like a horse who hopefully could break through this Saturday then I’d probably give him a little freshen up. He loves a wet track and he hasn’t had one yet. He’s now had two weeks between runs and had a couple of gallops, he’s gone well in them, everything’s gone smoothly with him. It’s a nice assignment for him and he’s won at Rosehill in the past. He’s paid for his preparation with his placings, that’s the nature of Sydney prizemoney now, but the cherry on top would be a win.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 1 – Gelatin
Sydney Race 4 – Gallant Star
Sydney Race 7 – Luncies
