The feature race on the card at Rosehill on Saturday is for the Stayer’s – the Listed Winter Cup. Last year’s winner Reuben Percival is back to defend his title at only his second run back this preparation. He’s at a current quote of $5.50. Early favourite is Destiny’s Kiss ($2.50) who is coming off an impressive win last start in Open Company over 2000m but, tries the 2400m trip for the first time here.
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1. FIUMICINO – J Ford (1)
Having won nine of four on a heavy track, including the McKell Cup two starts back by three lengths, the connections of this 9yo will be one of a only a few that are enjoying the ordinary weather in Sydney at the moment. He got a long way back at his most recent start and never figured when finishing tenth behind Moriarty in the G2 Brisbane Cup. The good draw and likelihood of a heavy track, gives him a chance.
2. REUBEN PERCIVAL – N Rawiller (11)
Resumed from a fifteen week spell with an eye-catching effort, finishing a luckless fifth (beaten 2.1 lengths) behind Said Com in Open company over 1500m. Jumps to 2400m second up and has only managed one placing from five previous second up runs but he very rarely runs a bad race and the wet track also poses no concerns.
3. FIBRILLATION – B Shinn (10)
5yo mare whose first four runs in this preparation indicated she was close to a win however, found the grade of her recent starts – the G1 Doomben 10,000 and G2 Brisbane Cup too rich. She was better suited last start to the G3 Tatt’s Cup and on a slow track, conditions she relishes, produced a better effort to finish fifth (beaten 2.4 lengths) behind Rialya. She rises 2.5kgs on that run but on a heavy/slow track in this grade, is capable of filling a place.
4. PEAL OF BELLS – R Thompson (7)
Lugged 61.5kgs on a heavy track to score a ¾ length win over Mahatma in a Restricted race over 2120m at Warwick Farm at his fourth run back from a spell before dominating the field to win by almost seven lengths over 3200m at Randwick at his most recent start. Lightly raced five year old who has always shown ability as a stayer and this preparation, certainly fulfilling that potential. Can’t leave him out on recent form.
5. DESTINY’S KISS – C Reith (4)
4yo trained by Jo Pride who had caught the eye finishing hard in races over 1400m and 1600m before appreciating the step up to 2000m last start where he won an Open Class race over 2000m. Going very well this prep and despite attempting the 2400m for the first time in his twenty-one starts thus far, appears to be perfectly ready for it.
6. YULALONA – (6)
You have to go back fourteen starts, to December 2011 to find this 5yo’s last win – the G3 Summer Cup (2400m). Since that win the Darley representative has only managed a third placing and judging by his three runs back from a fourteen week spell this time in, he’ll have to produce a significant form reversal to be winning here.
7. DON CARLOS – (3)
Second up from a long spell of nineteen months, this former import wasn’t bad over the concluding stages behind Prince of Capers in a Open class race (1800m) at Rosehill. He next stepped out in a 2000m race, was perfectly placed three back in the running line however overed next to nothing in the run home and finished a distant twelfth of fourteen. Not on that run.
8. PIAZZA SAN PIETRO – (5)
Like several other runners here, this Pins 5yo will not be worried by Sydney’s wet weather, having won four from six on heavy. He bolted in at Wagga two starts back, winning by seven on a heavy track before coming to town but having no answer for Peal of Bells late and running third over 3200m. The wet conditions will increase his chances but not enough to turn around the margin from last start.
9. PLATINUM JACK – (8)
He progressed through his grades nicely last prep as his races increased in distance but has only had two starts back from a thirteen week spell in readiness for this race. The latest was a fast finishing sixth (beaten less than a length) of thirteen under 59.5kgs over 2000m at Kembla Grange in a BM 65. He’ll be better again for that run and will appreciate the 54kgs here however, this grade of this race will test him.
10. THEBIGIAM – (2)
Only won three of his fifty starts but has placed on twenty-two occasions! None of those placings have been in Listed Company however and going on his most recent start, where he finished tenth of thirteen and behind Platinum Jack at Kembla Grange. Will find this too rich.
11. TO DUBAWI GO – (9)
Will find this much harder than his recent races given that they’ve been around the Canberra/Albury region in BM 65 grade races. His last win was back in December 2011 at Goulburn – nineteen starts ago and wouldn’t think he’ll break that losing streak here.
OVERVIEW
Reuben Percival one of only a few horses in this race, use to competing at this level and more often than not, the Gai Waterhouse trained Galloper gives a good account of himself. Although only second up from a break and taking on the 2400m trip, Waterhouse will have him fit enough and has produced horses in the past that have regularly been successful over long trips early in their campaigns. Peal of Bells is the form runner of the race and will no doubt be in the thick of things over the final stages going by his most recent efforts. Destiny’s Kiss has been good this prep and throughout his career to date but just want to see him at the 2400m first – especially when asked to take the $2.50.
