From Peter J Morgan
Horse: Burrandana
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 1, Highway Plate) Burrandana’s penchant for giving away a start is a source of frustration. But change could be coming for the lightly raced five-year-old and the result of the TAB Highway is likely to shape more than just his plans for the season. Next time around, which is probably not far away, when he comes back we might shake him up and see if we can ride him closer. I think the further the races go the closer he’ll be, we hope so anyway. We’re trying to work out which way to go, do we go further or keep him fresh and have another go at the Country Championships. I wanted to try him at the distance to have a look at him and see if he’ll get it. I think he will run it on his ear. It can be a nuisance getting back there but his form has been very good all the way through.
From Brad Widdup
Horse: Ausbred Rising Sun
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 10, TAB Hcp) Ausbred Rising Sun kicks off his latest preparation at Rosehill. The gelding made huge inroads at his initial campaign, winning on debut at Newcastle before contesting the Rosehill Guineas at just his fifth start. I haven’t trained him right up for it, but he had a strong trial the other day so it wouldn’t surprise if he ran a race. I’d say we will be in the second half of the field so that might dictate his performance. It will depend on how the track is playing. He’s not a big horse but he has matured a bit for sure. He’s still got a bit to go, but he’s definitely a lot mentally better than what he was last prep.
From Annabel Neasham
Horse: Fawkner Park
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 9, Premier’s Cup Prelude) Fawkner Park made it five straight, four since joining the stable, when he scored over 2400m under 60kg and he’s enjoyed a couple of weeks in a paddock as a reward. He’ll plummet to 52.5kg with premier apprentice Zac Lloyd to ride. His work has been good, he’s dropping to the 1800m but hopefully the freshen will suit him and he has a nice light weight with Zac’s claim as well. He’s won five in a row now going for six, he’s very progressive. I’m also mindful he’s coming out of a winter Benchmark 78 into this sort of grade. It’s a big step but he’s done everything we’ve asked him every time we’ve raised the bar he’s got the job done. He’s been carrying big weights his last few runs so obviously against better opposition is the reason he’s carrying less weight. He’s the ultimate racehorse, he can put himself on speed. He’s straightforward. If he can win we’ll look to keep going with him through the spring.
Horse: Space Tracker
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 10, TAB Hcp) The gelding ran 5th in the South Grafton Cup. He was a bit disappointing that day, he was probably just overdoing it. I put the winkers on and it didn’t seem to really suit him. He had a week in the paddock and his work has been good this week. I wouldn’t have minded drawing in a little closer with him but it’s a nice race.
From Danielle Seib
Horse: Amarantz
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 1, Highway Plate) Amarantz is fitter for four runs since a spell. While the weight rise from 54kg to 57kg is significant, so is her upside off a big win last start in a provincial benchmark. Highways inevitably are run at a high tempo so the closing strength of Amarantz is guaranteed at 1800m off a powerful 2000m BM 64 win from near last and a month’s freshen. We’d set her for this 1800m off Hawkesbury and a let-up, preferred Randwick, but ideal as set weights she’s in with a little less off a benchmark win. Benchmark form invariably holds up and Highways are always run at a fast tempo with big fields. She’s a tough closer, at her top now. Mares generally hold their form and there’s been form out of that Hawkesbury race. She’s still on the fresh side from a good draw (gate 4), she might not get that far back. Leave that to Tye (Schiller) he knows how to get the best out of her. Wasn’t able to give her the right cuddle at Hawkesbury, but she still won really well. So looking forward to the bigger track. Pace on and should be given every chance by Tyler, confident of that. But again, strong form race, the bigger stables always bring the right horses.
From Joseph Pride
Horse: Big Parade
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, Missile Stakes) Inheriting the horse from Mark Newnham, Big Parade has won a barrier trial by almost 21 lengths, beating Wewillrock and top mare In Secret at Warwick Farm last week. It’s going to be well documented by Saturday about that trial, it was probably more than what he needed to do, but it hasn’t hurt him. He’d had three trials prior to that and he was ready for that. I think the others had the handbrake on, but it was good. He hasn’t raced since the autumn of last year when he was narrowly beaten by Shelby Sixtysix in the Group 1 Galaxy before placing behind Kementari in the Hall Mark Stakes. When they trial like that, they should be winning.
Horse: Argentia
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, Missile Stakes) Former Victorian mare Argentia is looking to reignite her form after losing her way last preparation. Argentia is an interesting mare. I’ve got a lot of time for her, I really like her. She has come up really well and I liked her two trials.
From David Pfieffer
Horse: Rocketing By
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, Missile Stakes) Keen to strike an early blow with the rising six-year-old, Rocketing By is ready for a first-up assault at the Missile Stakes at Rosehill, getting him up and going before the likes of Giga Kick, Nature Strip, Think About It and I Wish I Win return in September. He’s in great order so we’re going try to get the Missile in early August with him. We’ll try to attack early before all the big boys get back. He went to the paddock quite early last prep, that is probably going to help him, so we’re going to try to strike early. He has two wins and a placing from seven first-up runs and has been readied for his return with two solid trials, winning his latest. We will probably look toward getting to the Sydney Stakes again and just work out a plan between now and then. Jason Collett has been booked to partner Rocketing By on Saturday.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 3 – United Nations
Sydney Race 6 – King Of Naples
Sydney Race 8 – I Am Me
