Festival Stakes 2013 day Tips – Rosehill racecourse

Kerrin McEvoy returns from suspension on Saturday at Rosehill and he, along with Peter Snowden, look set to dominate the program.

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Race One: Blackwood Pacific Hoists Handicap (74) 1300m Form Guide

Back Me: McEvoy and Snowden to kick off the day on the right note courtesy of Suit, who bolted in a fortnight back over the 1200m here, beating a field which had more depth than this. Should slide over from the barrier without too much drama and prove hard to beat.
Big Danger: Time wasn’t flash, but Black Revolver won in very impressive fashion on debut under the lights at Canterbury. Should get a peach run from the barrier and has an in form combination of Waller/Schofield.
Roughie:Bring A Ring had the run of the race and boxed on well when a close up fourth to Moderate at Flemington on Cup Day. Drops big time in depth here, and will relish the drop back in distance.

$250 Suit Free Bet

Race Two: Blackwoods AAP Industries Plate 1100m Form Guide

Back Me: Looking for some value, and have come up with the Paul Messara trained Dual Lover. She has had two barrier trials, the latest of those on November 21 when she closed off strongly from the back when second in smart time. Expect her to go back from the barrier, and charge at them late.
Big Danger: Memorial is the obvious danger. You won’t find a better bred galloper all day, being by Street Cry out of Mnemosyne, a multiple Group 1 winner. This filly bolted in here a fortnight back, leading all the way. $2 is a bit thin, but still is a massive threat.
Roughie: Stratalena ran in the same race as Memorial and was all over the shop in the straight, finishing second past the post but relegated to third after a protest. Senior rider takes over now, drawn well…should be in the mix.

$250 Dual Lover Free Bet

Race Three: Blackwoods Apex Tools Handicap (80) 1400m Form Guide

Back Me: As we keep saying, Chris Waller has a marvelous record with horses on the seven day back up. Berrimilla was first up last week when she finished off strongly to finish second to Kristy Lee. Won two from three second up and races well on her home track.
Big Danger: La Pieta is one of the better bred gallopers going around, being by Redoute’s Choice out of star mare Divine Madonna. She was excellent first up behind Mango Mojito at the Valley, but will be better suited coming back to Sydney. Drawn the paint, hard to beat.
Roughie: Keep an eye on former Peter Moody mare Kukla, who has had a few runs in New South Wales for John Ramsey. Ran really well at Randwick when second to Fulminate, but she trialled so impressively on Monday at Scone, running fast time on a heavy track. $12 is overs for her.

$250 Berrimilla Free Bet

Race Four: Blackwoods Uvex Safety ATC Cup 2000m Form Guide

Back Me: Can’t believe $12 is on offer for Maluckyday. His two runs this time haven’t been too bad and hasn’t been beaten far. Sure, he is not the same horse of a couple of years back, but he gets out to a trip he likes, drawn well and will get a perfect racing surface.
Big Danger: Travolta was first up a couple of weeks back here when he missed the kick and found the opposition too nippy, but his last 200m was excellent, suggesting that the 2000m will suit him perfectly.
Roughie: Hoylonny saluted for us a fortnight back at huge odds, aided by a gem ride from Peter Robl. This horse has all the ability in the world, but there are many loose screws in the head region. Don’t be shocked if he makes it two in a row.

$250 Maluckyday Free Bet

Race Five: Blackwoods Bosch Handicap (75) 1500m Form Guide

Back Me: Nightmare race to sort out. I think Adaboy Ross is the value runner in this race at around the $13 mark. Put together two impressive wins at Warwick Farm before running an eye catching third at this track after hitting a flat spot on the home turn. He is better suited outside horses, so the wide barrier looks ideal, as does the rise in trip.
Big Danger: Due to the good barrier, Specific Choice was ridden far too close to the speed last start hence he pulled his head off and had nothing left for the straight. Still ran a brave third, but arguably would have won comfortably had he settled. Middle draw should ensure he sits midfield at best early on, and then he can unleash at the end.
Roughie: Imperil was very good here last start when a close second to Koroibete. Tried very hard, but found the youngster a tad too strong late. Stepping up to 1500m looks ideal and McEvoy takes over.

$250 Adaboy Ross Free Bet

Race Six: Stanley Dewalt Festival Stakes 1500m Form Guide

Back Me: Best bet on the card for us in Strike The Stars. Trialled brilliantly before his dynamic first up win at Randwick. He was then sent to Flemington and was desperately unlucky when third to Smokin’ Joey on Derby Day, then was only beaten just over two lengths by Boban in the Emirates. That’s good enough for me.
Big Danger: The wide barrier should ensure that we see the best of White Sage, because her most impressive win came on debut, where she sat off the pace at Kembla and let down like a star. This time in she has been up on the space against hacks and winning comfortably. Biggest test for her, but she looks like she’ll handle it.
Roughie: Said Com was beautifully ridden by Serg Lisnyy last start here, but just couldn’t quite pick up Ninth Legion in a busy finish. Bowman takes over now, drawn well…hard to beat.

$250 Strike The Stars Free Bet

Race Seven: Alemlube Starlight Stakes 1100m Form Guide

Back Me: Great each-way bet here in Zaratone. Ran well when fifth to Hidden Warrior first up, then was very game last start when a close third to Heart Testa, whom he meets 2kg better at the weights for a length defeat. The lead looks his, and his comfortably, and if he can roll along unchallenged, it’ll take a big effort to beat him.
Big Danger: Heart Testa is the obvious danger. He was a very game winner here last start, holding off a very good galloper in Cape Kidnappers. 1100m is his limit, so barrier one should allow Collett to get the perfect drag up behind Zaratone.
Roughie: Jacquinot Bay is unbeaten fresh, and did look very sharp in a recent barrier trial win at Goulburn, running fast time over the 800m under no pressure. Look for him to get back and steam home late, which he should do given the pace will be strong.

$250 Zaratone Free Bet

Race Eight: Blackwoods Loctite Handicap (80) 1200m Form Guide

Back Me: Tough race to sort out. Putting the above average Turbulent Jet on top. Worked home well first up at Randwick behind Goldstone, then raced again on that track and saluted, getting up in the last stride to win. The key to this horse is the betting. Whenever he is supported, he wins, so keep an eye on the flucs.
Big Danger: Skip Town worked home quite powerfully here first up when second to Tahitian Black. Scratched last week at Randwick to be saved for this, plus he races well second up and at the 1200m.
Roughie: Best roughie in the race is clearly Sir Berus for me. He wasn’t far behind them first up at Canterbury in the race won by classy youngster Darciwood. Has won second up in the past, and from the good draw, he won’t get as far back as he usually does.