Former French stayer Bayrir has been given top weight in the Listed Winter Challenge Handicap at Rosehill on Saturday, in what will be the first feature event of the new racing season.
Carrying a weight of 59kg, Bayrir will be ridden by Hugh Bowman from barrier one in the 1500m event which features six other stakes winners. The import has opened at $5 second favourite in the race.
Number two saddlecloth will be carried by last start winner of the Winter Stakes, Under The Sun (Thomas Huet), which is trained by Gai Waterhouse.
Under The Sun, which has opened as $3.10 favorite, has won twice previously under the guidance of Frenchman Huet and was dominant last start and is expected to present as a major threat on Saturday.
Elsewhere on the eight race program, Yupik, which was nominated in a 2YO event at Warwick Farm in early July, has been held back to begin her metropolitan campaign as a 3YO. She is the only runner in the field not BOBS eligible, which connections may rue given the $85,000 event carries an additional $20,000 BOBS Bonus.
Prepared by popular Port Macquarie trainer Neil Godbolt, Yupik has an outstanding record to date, with five wins and one second place from six starts. Yupik is the highest rated horse in the 10 horse field but sits with the lowest weight of 54kg. It won’t be an easy task with Windjammer trained by Bjorn Baker, Certitude (Gai Waterhouse) and Champagne Cath (Chris Waller) all returning from spells after showing a touch of class in autumn.
Rosehill is currently rated dead (4) with the rail in the true position.
– Australian Turf Club
