This event, for the 3yo colts and geldings, is the first of five group races scheduled for Rosehill Saturday. Only a small field of six will take part after the withdrawal of Stamina earlier in the week. The top three clearly dominate the betting with Aussies Love Sport, who is coming off a strong win in the G3 Ming Dynasty, the early favourite at $1.80.
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1. CRITERION – N Rawiller (2)
Winner of the G2 Todman Stakes and close up in both the G1 Golden Slipper and G1 Champagne Stakes, it’s fair to say more has been expected of the son of Sebring than what he has produced as two runs as a three year old. He drew wide when resuming in the G3 Run To The Roses and finished eleventh, close to seven lengths from winner Va Pensiero, before getting back and making little impression in the run home when eleventh again, 5.8 lengths from Zoustar. Gets his chance to bounce back to form.
2. AUSSIES LOVE SPORT – T Berry (4)
He started favourite in three of his first four starts but it wasn’t until two starts ago, his fifth career run, that this impeccably bred son of Redoute’s Choice was able to salute the judge – at 12/1. That was in a BM 75 event (1400m) but it was enough to suggest to his trainer Gai Waterhouse, that he was capable of winning the G3 Ming Dynasty. He sat on the speed in the G3 race and was strong to the line, recording a 1 ¼ length win over the well supported Open Book. He’ll lead from the front and in the small field, more than likely get to set his own tempo.
3. EUROZONE – J Bowman (7)
Won his first three starts including a strong performance in the Listed The Rosebud defeating Dissident by 1 ¼ lengths. Each of those wins came on slow tracks and the combination of firmer footing and stronger grade of races, has seen the Northern Meteor colt just a few length off the pace in both the G3 Run To The Roses and G1 Golden Rose since. He stuck on fairly in the Golden Rose after having his chance in the run and a repeat performance will see him go close here but any cut out of the ground, he would certainly appreciate.
4. STAMINA – SCRATCHED
5. BODEGA NEGRA – (5)
Queensland trainer Bruce Hill has taken the opportunity, given the small field, to send this son of Hidden Dragon to Sydney to chance his arm at a Group 2 race. He closed fairly from back of the field on debut in a Sunshine Coast maiden to run fourth before again finishing well at his following start, an Open class 3yo (1350m) race at Doomben, to score by a length. At his most recent start, over a mile at Doomben, he sat closer to the speed from an inside draw but was collared on the line by Treasure Map. Better ridden off the speed but to be winning here, would’ve wanted to see him win last start.
6. BEST CASE – P Robl (1)
Full brother to G3 winning Strike the Stars, this colt, also trained by Anthony Cummings, has won one of his three starts. That came two starts ago when, from the tail of the field, he arrived right on the line to claim a Gosford Maiden before, as 11/4 favourite, running second to Mr Jackman in a BM 65 (1350m). Step up to 1500m will suit and will get his chance in the run from the inside draw. Outside of the top three, he appears to be the next best.
7. DESK POP – N Berry (3)
Tale of the Cat colt out of G1 winning mare Hill Of Grace, he kicked off his career for Patinack Farm in Queensland by running third in to stable-mate Hooked at his first two starts. After a spell of eighteen weeks, he resumed in a Warwick Farm maiden (1400m) as a 7/2 chance but the combination of a wide gate and big weight (59kgs), saw him place only seventh (beaten 4.6 lengths). He needs to show significant improvement second up.
OVERVIEW
Aussies Love Sport jumps to the front and should be able to set his own pace in the small field. Eurozone will not want to let him get too far ahead and he’ll be within striking distance throughout. They clearly look the two to fight this one out. Looking at the trifecta or first four – Best Case to appreciate the step up to the mile and Criterion gets his chance to find his best here.
- AUSSIES LOVE SPORT
- EUROZONE
- BEST CASE
- CRITERION
