The Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes is one of the early highlights of the Sydney Spring Carnival as a quality field of three-year-olds step out at Rosehill on Saturday with $1 million in prize-money on the line.
On the back of Anamoe’s success last week, Godolphin is hoping to add to their good fortune with In Secret, who goes around as the short-priced favourite after claiming the Run To The Rose a fortnight earlier.
The traditional lead-up race has provided more Golden Rose champions in the past decade than any other race, but there’s also a case to be made for stablemate Golden Mile following his last-start win over the track and trip.
The Snowden’s are synonymous with training three-year-old champions, and they’ll have a chance to win the Golden Rose for a fourth time with Paris Dior.
There’s a real case to be made for several in this year’s field, and we’ve done the form for you in our 2022 Golden Rose Stakes Preview!
1. Daumier (7)
Impressive winner of the Blue Diamond during the autumn that was far from disgraced in the Golden Slipper and the Sires’ Produce later in his prep. Won on debut quite well over 1000m at Caulfield, but this trip might be a little on the sharp side fresh.
2. Best Of Bordeaux (1)
Winner of back-to-back starts here at Rosehill to begin his career and was only run down late after leading for most of the way in the Run to the Rose. Maps to make his own luck on the speed again and should be fitter for two runs back. Tough to know if he’ll see out 1400m based on his latest effort but another wet track should be to his liking.
3. Jacquinot (5)
Kept fresh for his latest win at Caulfield and ran some big races at this level during the autumn. Made up big ground for third in the Blue Diamond and battled on fairly for sixth behind Fireburn in the Golden Slipper. Doubtful he wants it too wet but he draws to get back and run on again with Damian Lane retaining the ride.
4. Sejardan (8)
Plain on return in the Run to the Rose but is probably wroth forgiving after racing from an awkward gate. Won the Todman Stakes second-up last prep and handles all going, but he does look to have another job ahead of him from a tricky draw.
5. Political Debate (13)
Disappointing first-up in the Run to the Rose but can’t be judged too harshly after copping a bump early on and giving away a start. Flashed plenty of potential winning a Stakes race at Eagle Farm over the winter and then backed that up with a runner-up to Sheeza Belter in the J.J. Atkins. Capable of much better but has drawn poorly in barrier 13.
6. Promitto (2)
Impressed to start his career winning on debut at Newcastle before going on to claim the Skyline Stakes at Randwick by a comfortable two-length margin. Has failed to find that same form this prep and needs to improve on recent runs.
7. Golden Mile (11)
Impressive type that is two-from-three so far to begin his career. Fought home bravely to win on debut at Ballarat back in April and was more recently a dominant winner of the Ming Dynasty here at Rosehill by three lengths. Shifted through his gears well out wide and seemed to win with plenty left in reserve. Has a bit of work to do from a tricky gate but he’ll relish some cut out of the track.
8. Brosnan (17)
Narrow winner of his maiden over this trip at Flemington back int eh autumn and was then beaten only half a length in the J.J. Atkins. Resumed in the Ming Dynasty two weeks ago where plenty went wrong early. Made up some decent ground in the run home though and I think he’s capable of a much bigger performance than the current odds suggest.
9. Sebonack (9)
Won the Chairman’s at Caulfield on debut back in February but has mixed his form since. Fitter for two runs back but needs to improve on recent efforts against much easier company.
10. Basquiat (12)
Consistent type that has missed the money only once from six starts. Stuck on well to fill the minors in the Ming Dynasty last start and the wetter the better for his chances.
11. Fast Witness (10)
Made it back-to-back wins at The Valley last month when narrowly beating hole Shalaman in the McKenzie Stakes. Settled towards the tail against similar company at Flemington a few weeks ago and was strong in the run home for second. Facing a big rise in grade but a place wouldn’t surprise.
12. Millane (4)
Won a Stakes race on debut at Flemington during the autumn and has found the placings in two runs since. Proven on rain-affected going and maps to get a nice run cart into the race from midfield.
13. Zou Tiger (15)
Claimed his maiden quite well at Kensington two runs back but was found out late in the Ming Dynasty after racing on the speed. Has drawn poorly and the loss of Tommy Berry in the saddle is significant.
14. Fireburn (16)
Overcame a wide gate in the Run to the Rose but found herself too far back to strike. Won the Golden Slipper with authority second-up during the autumn though and we already know she possesses a serious turn of foot. Gets through rain-affected ground and only needs luck to go her way to be a factor.
15. She’s Extreme (6)
Deserving of a place in the Furious Stakes first-up after working home well from the back of the field. Runner-up over this trip in the Inglis Sires’ at Randwick during the autumn and I suspect we’ll see her price firm with any rain about. Draws to get a handy run just off the speed, while Tommy Berry retaining the ride makes her a serious threat.
16. In Secret (3)
Denied her hat-trick first-up in the Shadow Stakes but was quick to make amends winning the Run to the Rose in dominant fashion a couple of weeks ago. She took her time to warm up but once clear at the 100m mark the race was virtually over. Gets out to 1400m now for the first time and the recent strike rate of James McDonald in Group 1’s makes her the horse to beat.
17. Paris Dior (14)
Fought on well to finish fourth in the Furious Stakes first-up after having plenty go wrong in the early stages. She was entitled to finish further back than she did after copping contact around the 1000m mark. Won her maiden second-up at Canterbury earlier in the year and looks like she’ll handle 1400m now based on her recent effort. Unfortuantely, the draw makes her tough to entertain for anything more than a place.
