From Marc Quinn
Horse: Bomarea
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 7, Jockeys Celebration Day Hcp) She hopefully races again in a Benchmark 78 over 1100 metres at Rosehill on August 3. If it works out and she went there and won, or was really, really competitive, then we’re making progress (towards The Kosciuszko), but until then you’re not even in the conversation. If she did do well there then we’d probably run her again in the Toy Show, a Group Three for fillies and mares over 1100. So we’re poking along, but we’re not sort of 100 per cent yet. She might need to wait until she’s turning five, rather than four, for a race like that, but we’ll let her show us with what she does over the next little bit. It was a good run last start when she finished 2nd (to Compelling Truth) in open class in the James Kirby over 1000 at the Grafton carnival. She was disadvantaged at the weights that day. So she’s on the right track and now she has to step up from the Kirby to a (BM)78 in town and do something there to create interest. We’ll see how she goes.
From Kris Lees
Horse: Imposant
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 1, Jockeys Appreciation Hcp) Last start, Imposant went to the line untested and beat one home two weeks ago. I think she would have made it interesting, it’s hard to tell. There’s plenty of hard luck stories and that was one of them. But she’s come out of it well and hopefully she runs a similar race with a touch more luck. At least she didn’t have a tough run, that’s the only benefit, and you want to make sure they are unscathed when they’re grabbed hold of in the run. It might be in her favour to have drawn (gate 4) a couple off the fence.
Horse: Hellavadancer
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 5, Congratulations Zac Lloyd Hcp) Hellavadancer chased Defining home over the same trip at Randwick three weeks ago under 59kg but wasn’t able to wind up at the same time as the winner. She was held up on the fence and had to change course. It’s the same story, if she can get the right set up and right run she will be effective. She keeps sneaking up in weight so we’ve elected to go with the claim, Ben (Osmond)’s riding well.
Horse: Blackcomb
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 6, Congratulations James McDonald Hcp) Blackcomb ran 4th behind Fawkner Park in the Albury Cup at her last start over 2000m and backs up after finishing in the same position at Randwick last week behind One Aye. I’ve never backed her up before but provided she handles the quick turnaround she will run well. She doesn’t win out of turn, she’s a backmarker so you rely on those things. A better track might help her because it’s hard to make up big ground on heavy tracks.
From Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich
Horse: Intervarsity
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 4, Highway Hcp) Intervarsity posted two easy all the way wins at Muswellbrook back in November. I think she has a fair bit of ability and I think 1200m is the bottom limit of where she’s going to be. She’s drawn a kind barrier (2), I think that will be perfect for her, we’ve got a nice rider on top. She’s fit and well, she’s a horse that will be more of a miler than a 1200m horse and we’ll find that out this prep. She still looks like she’s six months away, she hasn’t really furnished yet, but I think this preparation and the next one is where you’ll see her best. Her two wins were quite effortless. I wanted to start her at the 1200m on Saturday because if she doesn’t win that there’s another race in two weeks at 1300m. She doesn’t have to lead. The first time she half bolted, and the second time she just found the front from a good gate. If they’re running along at a good tempo she’ll be sitting in behind them.
From Bjorn Baker
Horse: Father’s Day
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 6, Congratulations James McDonald Hcp) Father’s Day hasn’t raced since he was eased out of the Stayer’s Cup at Rosehill in June after visibly shortening stride approaching the 1000m. A subsequent veterinary examination of the gelding found a muscle issue was to blame. We think he may have pulled a muscle behind when he came out of the gates, so he definitely had excuses that day. His form prior to his last run was very good and his work on Tuesday suggested he might be ready to run a good race. He’s in good order so we will see what happens. It’s one step at a time. Father’s Day will be ridden by Rachel King.
Horse: Spring Lee
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 7, Jockeys Celebration Day Hcp) Spring Lee will step out in the Jockeys Celebration Day Handicap on Saturday after winding up her most recent campaign with a Listed placing in the Denise’s Joy Stakes at Scone in May. I am banking on the mare carrying some residual fitness from that. She has only had the one trial, but she has got a little bit of residual fitness there, so hopefully that keeps her in good stead. It looks a good race for her. She has done a good job in her short career so far and she was very good last time at Scone. Her work at home has been very good, she galloped on Tuesday with Rachel (King) and went well there. She is a lovely mare, hopefully she can make that step up to stakes grade, whether it’s this time in or at some stage. If she happened to win on Saturday, the race we could consider is the Toy Show, but one step at a time.
From John Thompson
Horse: Jojo Was A Man
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 8, NSW Jockeys Association Reunion Hcp) I had planned to put him out after the other day (winning the Winter Challenge) and give him a freshen up for races at the end of the year when it’s drier. But because he hadn’t won for so long the owners said if he comes through well to run him again so we have. And he’s come through the run really well, I can’t see why he wouldn’t hold his form. He’s so tough, he loves his racing and is a good doer so he bounces through every run well. They’re just a good partnership, Reece (Jones) does a bit of work with him at home too so he knows him as well as anyone. He’d been going well and we just needed things to fall into place but the better track was the main instigator of that. When they get into the heavy range he gets through it but just not as well. He shouldn’t be too far away, I’ll leave that up to Reece, he’s been going well in the blinkers and he’s ready for another big run.
From Brett Dodson
Horse: Cool Storm
Message: (Saturday, Rosehill Race 4, Highway Hcp) It’s a really strong Highway, I’ve been in a few, they don’t get any easier but there’s something about her – a lovely big strong mare, won well enough to deserve an opportunity. Cool Storm is well in on the 54kg limit in a class 3 and barrier five for in-form Zac Lloyd. She’s got 1000m speed so she’ll be on-pace at 1200m.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 1 – Lady Boss
Sydney Race 3 – Vivy Air
Sydney Race 5 – Nanshe
