Rosehill has a strong eight-race midweek card on Wednesday, and the track is rated Soft 5 with the rail out 3 metres. That rail should slightly favour horses on speed, but with rain around, the better ground in the straight is likely to be three or four horses off the fence.
Italian Spirit in Race 2 is our strongest bet of the day. Testamapatience in Race 3 is the value play, and Nobler in the BM88 is the best of the afternoon races. Matias has been scratched from Race 6.
Race 1 - Inglis Xtra Bonus Plate (1200m)
Selection: Affari Current odds: $2.50
Affari was beaten narrowly as favourite here last time. She has blinkers on for the first time, which should help her finish off, and barrier 2 gives her a sweet run. Rain Delay is the most interesting debutant. She won a Randwick trial on 6 October and her pedigree suggests the wet ground will suit. Yotei was just beaten on a soft track at Lismore and also has blinkers on. Pearl Of Dubai resumes and is good enough to overcome the wide gate.
Selections:
- Affari - $2.50
- Rain Delay - $3.60
- Yotei - $5.50
- Pearl Of Dubai - $12.00
Race 2 - Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Italian Spirit Current odds: $3.90
This is our best bet of the day. Italian Spirit trialled well, then ran a solid second first-up at Kembla Grange. Second-up and fitter, he steps up to a trip he should handle. Snitzel’s Girl is third-up and drawn in gate 3, and she was finishing strongly over this course last time. Sapphire Legend comes out of the same race but has a wider gate to overcome. Shahaameh has handy form lines and enough speed to hold a good spot.
Selections:
- Italian Spirit - $3.90
- Snitzel’s Girl - $6.00
- Sapphire Legend - $5.00
- Shahaameh - $7.00
Race 3 - Myracehorse Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Testamapatience Current odds: $7.00
This is a fillies and mares maiden with little exposed form, so we are happy to take a price. Testamapatience, from the Peter Snowden stable, has trialled well, letting go late after being held up early. She maps for a good run and looks overpriced. Ligularia resumes after almost a year off and ran second on debut at Hawkesbury. Ballet D’Light should land on speed. Hit The Runway is lightly framed and has trialled well, so the wet ground should not worry her. Born To Fly is the favourite but has drawn awkwardly over this short trip.
Selections:
- Testamapatience - $7.00
- Ligularia - $11.00
- Ballet D’Light - $5.50
- Hit The Runway - $10.00
Race 4 - Jacquinot First Crop 2YO’s Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Moscatel Current odds: $5.00
Moscatel won her first-up run last preparation at Randwick by more than four lengths. She has trialled nicely for the Waterhouse and Bott stable and has drawn to land on speed, which is where you want to be in this race. Agatha looks fitter for her runs and was beaten only half a length at Warwick Farm last start. Hellenic Belle has won a trial and has James McDonald booked. Taxation has placed several times this campaign at a long price.
Selections:
- Moscatel - $5.00
- Agatha - $4.20
- Hellenic Belle - $6.50
- Taxation - $14.00
Race 5 - Racing And Sports Handicap (2400m)
Selection: Grafton Street Current odds: $2.60
Grafton Street has won his last two, most recently a narrow win at Warwick Farm, and he has tactical speed and barrier 1. He is short enough, but he is the most reliable runner in the race. Golden Century is the danger. He was beaten narrowly over the course last time, he is building through his preparation, and a strong tempo should suit his finish. James McDonald rides him. Nkosi is third-up and gets a soft draw.
Selections:
- Grafton Street - $2.60
- Golden Century - $3.50
- Nkosi - $6.50
- Andron - $10.00
Race 6 - Ranvet Handicap (1500m)
Selection: Nobler Current odds: $3.70
Nobler went for a spell after two straight wins, including one at Rosehill, and has trialled well. With not much speed in the race, it should turn into a sprint home, and that suits him even from a wide draw. James McDonald rides for Chris Waller. Puntin won the Dubbo Cup and may get an easy lead, so he is the obvious danger, although this is a tougher race. Perisher, a recent trial winner, is the one at a price. Matias is scratched.
Selections:
- Nobler - $3.70
- Puntin - $2.90
- Perisher - $7.00
- Mr Chaplin - $5.50
Race 7 - Farnan @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Metallic Cat Current odds: $2.25
Metallic Cat was narrowly beaten as favourite first-up here and has not missed a place in her career. She gets a better run from barrier 4 and handles soft ground, so she is the likeliest winner. At that price, though, Nitro is the value. He won a Rosehill trial on 2 October and was only just beaten first-up last preparation. Scillato can improve on his last run at Warwick Farm, and I Am Adonis races without blinkers.
Selections:
- Metallic Cat - $2.25
- Nitro - $5.50
- Scillato - $12.00
- I Am Adonis - $6.50
Race 8 - TAB Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Pulsator Current odds: $4.20
Pulsator is unbeaten from two starts, most recently winning well at Kembla Grange, and he should get a forward spot. He needs to improve again, but he is heading the right way. Regal Problem has won two of three this preparation and suits a race with plenty of speed. Siragusa adds winkers. Chappy is an NZ import for Waller and McDonald who has trialled well, but he has a sticky draw. It is an open race to finish the day.
Selections:
- Pulsator - $4.20
- Regal Problem - $5.50
- Siragusa - $10.00
- Chappy - $11.00
