Rosehill Racing Tips: Saturday 26 September Golden Rose Day Best Bets

Golden Rose Day brings the first big three-year-old test of the Sydney spring, with ten races on a track expected to play Good 4 and the rail in the true position. A true rail at Rosehill usually rewards runners that settle in the first half of the field and can angle into the middle lanes rather than hug the fence, so we have leaned toward horses that map for a handy run all day.

Race 1 - Midway Handicap (1300m)

Selection: Better Late Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)

Better Late is deep into his preparation now and his last two runs, a strong effort at Newcastle and a solid placing in this grade, make him the most reliable form line in the race. He can sit on the speed or take a sit, and James McDonald is a significant booking. Miss Spacegirl draws the inside for the Freedman stable and is the main danger, while Call Me Sassy has been consistent and Vetwelve is worth forgiving a plain first-up run off smart trials.

Selections:

1. Better Late
2. Miss Spacegirl
3. Call Me Sassy
4. Vetwelve

Race 2 - TAB Highway Handicap (1500m)

Selection: Zou Force Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)

There was very little between Zou Force and Giddy Up Griff at their last Highway start, and it is Zou Force who looks likelier to appreciate the step up to 1500m. Tim Clark taking the ride is a tick, and we expect him to be the better value of the pair. Bluish Hue brings two good placings in a row and sets the standard, while Vltava won last start but has a tricky wide gate to overcome.

Selections:

1. Zou Force
2. Bluish Hue
3. Giddy Up Griff
4. Vltava

Race 3 - Colin Stephen Quality (2400m)

Selection: So You Are Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)

A 2400m race on a true rail tends to suit whatever lands on speed, and So You Are shapes as that horse. He is coming off a strong win and already has a good record over the trip. Bella Montagna is third-up, fit and proven at 2400m, so she is the one to beat him and we have little between them. Amplify has the best recent figure but is still to win over this distance.

Selections:

1. So You Are
2. Bella Montagna
3. Amplify
4. Fernao

Race 4 - Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1900m)

Selection: Starzintheireyes Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)

Starzintheireyes did everything wrong first-up over 1600m, settling well back on a day when it was hard to make ground, and still ran on strongly. Stepping up to 1900m from a good gate second-up is the ideal setup. His stablemate Mister Rizz won first-up and Zac Lloyd is riding at a high strike rate, so he is the clear danger. Mukhtalif is at peak fitness, and Pinhole caught the eye in the same race as our pick but probably needs luck from a wide gate.

Selections:

1. Starzintheireyes
2. Mister Rizz
3. Mukhtalif
4. Pinhole

Race 5 - Irresistible Pools & Spas Handicap (1400m)

Selection: Decorum Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)

Decorum’s first-up win after being gelded was a genuine eye-opener, and the market has already reacted to it. He should improve second-up from barrier three and is the clear pick, but at the likely price he is better used in multis than as a single. Cross Tasman ran well first-up in the Goulburn Cup and has had a trial to keep him ticking over. Ruination and Mr Chaplin are the others with claims.

Selections:

1. Decorum
2. Cross Tasman
3. Ruination
4. Mr Chaplin

Race 6 - Heritage Stakes (1100m)

Selection: Omolong Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)

The two main speed horses, Blue Door and Our Emperor, have both drawn wide, and a battle for the front over 1100m could set this up for a runner with a finishing burst. That is Omolong’s profile. She will probably settle near the tail, but she has a sharp turn of foot and picks up James McDonald for the first time off solid trials. Blue Door has the best form and is the danger if he gets across cheaply, while Ciaron’s Star has trialled well this preparation and should get a soft run from gate one.

Selections:

1. Omolong
2. Blue Door
3. Ciaron’s Star
4. Our Emperor

Race 7 - Golden Pendant (Group 2, 1400m)

Selection: Lazzura Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)

Lazzura ran on well first-up over 1200m and is better suited at 1400m second-up. She should land just off the speed with cover, which is ideal on this track. Gangsta Granny improved second-up and should get a good run near the lead, so she is the main danger. Modella won the Mona Lisa fresh at Wyong and that form has held up well since, while Surfin’ Bird is a Waterhouse and Bott filly who is expected to improve as she steps up in distance.

Selections:

1. Lazzura
2. Gangsta Granny
3. Modella
4. Surfin’ Bird

Race 8 - Golden Rose (Group 1, 1400m)

Selection: Guest House Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)

The Golden Rose looks short of genuine speed, and that suits the colt with the most brilliance. Guest House was dominant first-up in the San Domenico over 1100m. The rise to 1400m four weeks later is a fair question, but in a race run at an ordinary tempo his turn of foot should be the deciding factor. Zac Lloyd is also in form. St Gotthard gets James McDonald for the Waller stable and is the logical danger. Under Focus looks well suited at 1400m and maps nicely. Central Europe is bred to stay and could be hard to catch if he is allowed to roll forward.

Selections:

1. Guest House
2. St Gotthard
3. Under Focus
4. Central Europe

Race 9 - Shannon Stakes (1500m)

Selection: Skyhook Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)

Skyhook won his first-up run strongly and should find a sweet spot from barrier two with Kerrin McEvoy aboard. The one question is his second-up record. Magnatear keeps improving for the Freedmans after a gutsy first-up second and should be up on the speed from gate one, which makes him the value alternative. Private Eye races best when ridden on the pace and should be positive from barrier three.

Selections:

1. Skyhook
2. Magnatear
3. Private Eye
4. Estadio Mestalla

Race 10 - TAB Handicap (1100m)

Selection: Mercy Me Current odds: TBC (odds subject to change)

In a big 1100m field, barrier position matters most, and Mercy Me has drawn to use her tactical speed and find a spot handy to the lead. She showed a good first-up figure last preparation and looks ready. Banjora is well regarded but has a wide gate. Farnicle has trialled well after being gelded, but he carries 61kg first-up off a long break and 1100m may be too short for him. Street Artist was unlucky last start and is worth including in exotics.

Selections:

1. Mercy Me
2. Banjora
3. Street Artist
4. Farnicle