We have 10 races to look forward to at Rosehill this weekend with plenty of quality horse flesh on display across the entire card.
Our full 2022 Mckell Cup Day Preview can be read below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 2YO Handicap (1400m)
Chris Waller and Gai Waterhouse go head to head in the opening race of the day with two juveniles that dominate the betting.
Osipenko made his debut at Rosehill over 1300m two weeks ago with a huge 3.63 length win.
The fact that the Pierro colt had that start over 1300m will have him in a better position to step up to 1400m than his main rival Kibou and he has drawn perfectly in barrier two.
Race 2 – Highway Handicap (1200m)
Pure Fuego is a progressive type of horse who has been placed in seven of his 12 career starts.
These Highway races are often won by a horse with plenty of upside and this lightly raced five year old gelding fits that profile well.
Hugh Bowman to steer from barrier eight.
Race 3 – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m)
Butch’n’bugs was a five length winner at Nowra three back and then followed that up with a 1.5 length win at Kembla Grange.
He was then dropped back in distance to 1300m at Newcastle where he ran third and he drops three kilos on that effort.
The step up to 1500m suits where he has placed before and the $41 available is overs.
Race 4 – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1800m)
Willinga Rufio is a progressive three year old stayer who is unbeaten from two career starts to date.
The son of Dundeel won by 2.63 lengths in a Benchmark 72 at this track and distance last time out and will carry less weight in a similar grade of race.
Race 5 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m)
The Chris Waller trained Tinnie Winnie has won four of seven overall including his last three in a row now.
Both starts this prep have been impressive, winning at Canterbury both times and the step up to 2000m looks ideal.
Race 6 – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m)
Rupertaar was a sitting duck at the 300m when resuming in a Benchmark 78 in late May but the filly found plenty in the final stages to grind out an impressive win.
She held out the very smart Snowzone in that race and she will find this event much easier.
Drawn to get a nice run in transit from barrier two and the apprentice will give some weight relief.
Race 7 – Listed Mckell Cup (2000m)
Skyman has been racing really consistently all throughout this campaign and he has finished within two lengths of the winner in his last four in a row.
He has just five wins in his career, but he’s been placed in 14 of 28 starts overall and his record at this distance is good.
Race 8 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m)
I’ve tipped Soami at a big price in the last as I think he is a better chance to go to that race but if he lined up here, I’ll be having something on also.
Irish Legend will make his Australian racing debut in this contest and his form in England was good albeit over further ground.
He has been gelded since we last saw him in October last year and his two trials leading into this first up assignment have been solid.
Race 9 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m)
Lady Of Luxury was last rounding the turn when resuming at Rosehill on a heavy track but she made of a significant amount of ground in the straight to be beaten just over a length.
One of only a few progeny by Criterion, she then started over 1300m last time out where she was cramped for room when taking an inside alley but again finished off really well.
The 1300m is ideal and she is one of the better bets of the afternoon in my opinion.
Race 10 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m)
Soami is going much better than his form on paper suggests and he has had excuses in his past couple.
He was caught wide for the first 300m after drawing badly at Randwick and was then shuffled three lengths last as they rounded.
Three starts back he came from near last to almost run down Much Much Better in a benchmark 88 and that horse went on to be narrowly denied in the At Sea Handicap behind Surreal Step.
This horse is a much better chance than the $71 on offer and I urge you to have something on each way.
