There’s no Group 1 racing on the program, but we are set for a huge day at Rosehill Gardens on Run To The Rose Day!
Some of the Spring Carnival’s most exciting prospects are engaged in ten quality races, and you can find all of my 2023 Run To The Rose Day Tips below.
Midway Handicap (1200m) – 11:50am
It’s going to be a small each-way play on Bundeena for me in this week’s Midway Handicap.
While it is a rise in class for the four-year-old son of Spirit Of Boom, there’s no doubt that he has stripped fitter for each of his first two runs back this time.
The 1200m suits, he’s drawn well, and this is a typically wide-open race with plenty of winning chances.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Bundeena
Highway Handicap (1400m) – 12:25pm
Luck from the wide draw is absolutely required, but I’m still pretty keen on Missile Leader in this week’s Highway race.
Missile Leader has made three appearances back from a spell, all in Canberra, and he has recorded two eye-catching wins including a dominant effort in a Class 1 last time.
He’s hard fit and weighted well, and with the right run in transit, I’m confident he can mow them down late.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Missile Leader
Goffs Orby Sale Handicap (2400m) – 1pm
Duke Of Hastings returned to winning form down in Victoria at his latest, and I like that unique form lie heading into this BM78 contest.
The Sacred Falls gelding dusted off the cobwebs with a couple of fair effort first and second up this time, but he worked home well to finish only a length and a half behind the winner at The Valley before comfortably seeing off his rivals over 2500m last time out.
He’s hard fit and this looks well within his means as well, as long as he handles the New South Wales way of going.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Duke Of Hastings
Ranvet Handicap (1500m) – 1:35pm
Ivan’s Hero’s recent form has been strong, and he rates as a key winning chance again at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Holler gelding has finished worse than second once at his last give appearances, winning twice and only just missing behind Principessa at his latest.
In peak order and under Jason Collett, I really can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Ivan’s Hero
NSW Thoroughbred Breeders Handicap (1800m) – 2:10pm
Marquess is undefeated this time in and looks well placed to record another win in Sydney on Saturday.
The Tavistock gelding ended his last prep with consecutive wins at Hawkesbury and Newcastle, and he has picked up where he left off by striking in a couple of races at Warwick Farm and here at Rosehill, this time.
Fitter third-up and out in trip, he’s my best bet on the program.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Marquess
Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) – 2:45pm
I Am Me was an impressive winner on the Missile Stakes first-up from a spell and can make it two in a row in the Sheraco Stakes.
The I Am Invincible mare was excellent last time in, winning four of five starts, and the only miss coming in Group 1 company.
Her fresh effort this time was amongst the best of her career to date and I like that she has been kept up to the mark with a trial since.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 I Am Me
Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) – 3:20pm
The Run To The Rose isn’t the only quality three-year-old race on Saturday’s Rosehill program – this is a ripper Ming Dynasty Quality!
I’m going to have a couple of bets here – something on the nose of early favourite Tom Kitten, and a small each-way saver on the resuming Tannhauser at a huge price! ($34 at publish).
Tom Kitten stamped himself as one to watch by winning the Fernhill at Randwick, and he went to the paddock after running fourth in the Champagne Stakes, but his first-up performance and win in the Up & Coming Stakes was easily his best so far.
He has drawn horrifically, but he is open to plenty of improvement and can make it two in a row.
I am meanwhile expecting big improvement from whatever Tannhauser does in this contest, but he did record an eye-catching win off a freshen-up in May before filling the minors in the JJ Atkins.
He’s had a couple of trials leading up to this, and I can’t wait to see him in action.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Tom Kitten & No. 1 Tannhauser E/W
Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) – 3:55pm
Cylinder was an impressive winner first-up from a spell and can go on with the job in the Run To The Rose.
He was excellent during his two-year-old prep, winning both the Silver Slipper and the Todman, while finishing second in both the Blue Diamond and the Golden Slipper most notably.
He returned a winner of the Vain Stakes at Caulfield a couple of weeks ago, and I am only expecting improvement for that effort.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Cylinder
Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) – 4:35pm
Some of the most exciting Spring Carnival prospects step out in the Theo Marks Stakes including Kovalica, but I also thought that it looks a perfect launchpad for Nugget.
Nugget has been knocking on the door of a Group 1 victory for a couple of seasons now, and he went close a couple of times during this year’s Autumn Carnival, running third in both the CF Orr Stakes and the Doncaster Mile, most notably.
He boasts an excellent fresh record and with a little luck from barrier 12, I think he’ll be very difficult to hold out.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Nugget
Precise Air Handicap (1100m) – 5:15pm
It could be a big day for Godolphin at Rosehill on Saturday, and I am also confident that Red Card can take out the last.
She hasn’t been seen at the races since June, but Red Card hardly put a hoof wrong last time in, only just missing behind Delacour first-up before recording consecutive wins in Listed company up in Brisbane.
She has returned a couple of sharp trials leading up to her return and this does look a really nice race for her.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Red Card
