3 minute read
On a better than average off-season card at Rosehill and with the track just in the heavy range at the time of writing, with the odd shower about, we are looking for the runners who enjoy plenty of give in the ground.
We need to wait until the final race for the best bet on the card, #6 Adelong for Brad Widdup and Hugh Bowman.
This mare started in the red first up over today's trip of 1100m at Canterbury and looked to have every chance but just couldn't get past Lesage in a driving finish. Oakfield Twilight and Blazing Miss filled 3rd and 4th on that occasion, and the pair have subsequently won three races between them to frank that form.
She then stepped up to Saturday company at Rosehill a fortnight ago, again over 1100m, and showed how much she had progressed with a dominant two-and-a-half lengths win over Lashes, breaking 63 seconds for the trip on a soft track. McDonald was happy to hand up that day and when he released the breaks at the top of the lane she let down impressively.
It is noteworthy that her third-up run last prep resulted in a four lengths win at Randwick over 1100m – it is fair to assume there is still improvement in the locker.
There is a stack of speed in this race. Bowman from gate three can settle the four-year-old just in behind Mansa Musa, Agent Pippa and Miss Scorcher who will all be keen to cross. From there she should be too strong again in the closing stages, adding to her already impressive record of four wins from six starts.
For value we go to the Highway, race 2 #7 Art Cadeau for South Coast trainer Terry Robinson.
It is an encouraging sign that the stable has brought this three-year-old up for a Highway at just his fourth race start – there is no doubt they know what it takes to win these races.
The gelding resumed on a soft track at Moruya two starts back over 1010m and just failed to peg back the handy Eltham Palace after surging through a gap late in proceedings.
He then stepped up to 1200m at Kembla last time in a Class 1 and led everywhere bar the final bound when claimed by Chanting.
From the inside alley Jason Collett should lob straight to the lead and if Ready To Humble is happy to take the sit as expected he might pinch a cheap split or two midrace. From there this promising son of Artie Schiller will certainly be hard to peg back.
These races are never easy to sort out but the $7.00 or so on offer in early markets makes him a very appealing each-way prospect.
BET OF THE DAY: Race 9 #6 Adelong @ $2.70
EACH WAY PLAY: Race 2 #7 Art Cadeau @ $7.00