Early Mail For Saturday May 26

Friday, 25 May 2012: Early mail for Rosehill on May 26 - three of the best from racing editor Chris Scholtz.

Pontiana Photo by Racing and Sports

ROSEHILL SATURDAY

RACE 5: (4) SOUTHERN SHIMMER - Astute country trainer Ross Stitt knows when he has a good horse and he has long regarded this 4YO gelding as one of his best prospects. He has already won eight races up to 1620m including two in heavy going and is well placed in this BM85 event coming off his luckless last start fourth in the strong Wagga Cup over 2000m on May 4 when he had no clear running at the vital stage of the race. He rises only 1kg from that effort and has the weights firmly in his favour over rivals he has met in his recent races. This looks an ideal step for him towards feature winter staying races such as the Caloundra and Grafton Cups.

RACE 6: (7) - RECORRIDO – No trainer makes better use of gear changes than Joe Pride and the move to restore blinkers to this sprinter for her second start back from a spell is a big pointer to her winning prospects after her excellent first-up second over 1100m at this course on May 12 when she finished hard from last under 58kg. She's down 4kg in this better company but there a lot to like about her prospects as she's a second up winner, likes Rosehill and handles affected ground well. The switch to a top senior rider with the blinkers on makes her a good gamble in this open field.

RACE 8: (7) PONTIANA – Expect this good class mare to have taken a lot of benefit from her first-up eighth over 1300m at Hawkesbury when she went keenly in a strong black type race before fading late to be beaten only 2.8 lengths behind More Strawberries. She has contested much better Group and Listed races in nine of her 12 career starts with some distinction and the very much in-form Hawkes stable has her well placed in this class to improve sharply on her first-up effort. She's a Rosehill winner and there should be no concern should the going be affected as she boasts some excellent trial form in the wet.