The appropriately named Run to the Rose is the major lead up race to the Group One Golden Rose which is set down for Rosehill in two weeks. This year’s edition like the previous few has a field that is full of autumn and winter performers all of which have the potential of stardom and all of which have certain question marks over whether they have made the biggest step in racing, the step from a good two-year-old to a very good three-year-old.
Apart from the filly Spurrendous at the bottom at $71 the race has 13 horses all at $26 or less. Sidestep was disappointing first up but has been heavily backed in this race. Criterion and Marseille Roulette both won feature races as two-year-olds and both have reportedly comeback really well. Zoustar just failed to run down Romantic Touch in a Brisbane Group One race in the winter but on his own right he had some good wins up north. Va Pensiero won a Group Three race two weeks ago; a race that in the past has been won by the likes of Foxwedge, Gold Edition and Our Maizcay, yet he is currently at $21? Eurozone and Windjammer are coming off good wins while Dissident was only just beaten by Eurozone in a hot field last start. Equator is Group One placed and has had two other good wins on top of that. Into the Red is a Brisbane visitor that was almost backed into the red last start at Eagle Farm when recording a very good win. That leaves Napayshini who won a recent Gosford race by six lengths, Cluster who is Group Three placed and Ike’s Legacy who is unbeaten.
Verdict…
4th. 9. Equator. This boy has trialled terribly but he is a fighter. In the Champagne during the autumn he hit the lead and fought on really well to hold on for third at huge odds. Before that he had two good wins. Equator looks like he will appreciate the longer races later in the spring, but he will most likely be up near in this race and it will take some talented young horses to get past him.
3rd. 1. Sidestep. This boom youngster was a little disappointing first up, but he found the worst part of the track and a bit of trouble throughout the race. During the autumn it took a flying Overreach to beat him in the Slipper and before that as to qualify for the Slipper he won the Pago Pago in fantastic style. He has a turn of foot that is unmatched in the race and given the right run, he will be storming home.
2nd. 3. Zoustar. This promising son of Northern Meteor had a great Brisbane preparation culminating in a narrow second in the Group One J.J. Atkins over the mile at Eagle Farm. He will have residual fitness from his trip north and he is honest. He gives his best ever time he runs as reflected by his record and his best is pretty good.
1st. 5. Eurozone. This colt is unbeaten and flying. He has put away really good fields in his career to date and he can lead or go back. He grits his teeth and once he is given his head he is almost impossible to run past. $8 for a Cummings’ horse that is unbeaten is sensational value.
Good luck.
By Zeb Armstrong
