3 minute read

Chris Scholtz previews the WJ McKell Cup meeting at Rosehill on June 18 with quaddie analysis, selections for all races, Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

ROSEHILL June 18

BEST BETS

RACE 1 (1) OSIPENKO: This stylish Pierro 2YO attracted little betting support on debut over 1300m at this course two weeks ago but won like a hot favourite when he sprinted off a fast pace to run away from his rivals and score by almost four lengths. He got stronger over the last 200m, running fast splits that saw him put an above average rating figure on the board. Should be winning again with expected improvement as he looks better than winter class.

RACE 4: (11) NAVY SEAL: The Waller stable has made a significant move to switch this talented 3YO back to Sydney after two starts in Victoria that saw him bolt away with a maiden over 1600m at Ballarat before a luckless second over the same trip at Caulfield when a slow start cost him a win. He's only had five starts, all on affected tracks, and expect to see him go to a new peak on a good track with Willie Pike the right jockey to give him every chance from a good draw.

RACE 7: (8) SKYMAN: Another good ride from the Waller stable for Willie Pike as this gelding is ready to win after an excellent last start third over 1800m at this course two weeks ago when he was set an impossible task in a slowly run race. The winner Surf Dancer got all the favours in front and only had to sprint to the line from the 200m while he was back at the rear and was taken widest on the turn before making up lengths, posting sectionals that were among the fastest on the day. With a significant riding switch to Willie Pike he will get his chance to turn the tables over the extra trip on a firmer deck.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1: 1-2-7-3

RACE 2: 10-2-11-16

RACE 3: 4-2-1-11

RACE 4: 11-7-14-10

RACE 5: 11-3-6-8

RACE 6: 13-14-3-11

RACE 7: 8-3-5-9

RACE 8: 6-1-7-8

RACE 9: 10-13-3-6

RACE 10: 13-6-11-5

THE QUADDIES

RACE 3: (4) (4) HARVEY'S WAY is an obvious choice with improvement off his last start second over 1400m in this class at this course when having his first outing for 44 days. Respect the seven day back up for (2) MARNIX with blinkers on. Topweight (1) FRENCH BONNET got all the favours last time. Harder this time with 2.5kg more from awkward gate.

RACE 4: The Waller stable has made a significant move to switch talented 3YO (11) NAVY SEAL back to Sydney after two starts in Victoria that saw him bolt away with a maiden over 1600m at Ballarat before a luckless second over the same trip at Caulfield when a slow start cost him a win. He's only had five starts, all on affected tracks, and expect to see him go to a new peak on a good track with Willie Pike the right jockey to give him every chance from a good draw. The promising (7) WILLINGA RUFIO had it run to suit but was impressive leading for a big win here last time. He'll be the one to run down as a good track rating with the rail out 6 metres is an on pace recipe.

RACE 5: Could be a Waller party with (3) BORN A KING, (8) TINNIE WINNIE and (12) BLACK QUEEN all rating well enough to win an open race. BORN A KING is well placed in this grade off his Melbourne form while TINNIE WINNIE is a strong on pace runner who continues to improve. The consistent (11) COLOUR SERGEANT could be the spoiler as he is better placed over this trip on the bigger track than last time at Canterbury. Include (6) OCEANIC FLASH back home from Brisbane and ready to improve sharply over this trip.

RACE 6: Godolphin double handed with two good chances. Their last start winner (11) GLITTERY has race fitness but it sets up nicely for a bold first-up showing from a good draw by stablemate (13) QUATENUS after her strong trial. Well placed for a horse never out of the money in seven starts. (10) PETULANT is fitter and is sure to use her speed from wide gate but will have plenty of company including the in-form pair (3) RUPERTAAR and (6) RUBINOCCHI.

RACE 7 (8) SKYMAN is ready to win after an excellent last start third behind (5) SURF DANCER over 1800m at this course two weeks ago when he was set an impossible task in a slowly run race. While the winner got all the favours in front and only had to sprint to the line over the last 200m he was back at the rear and was taken widest on the turn before making up lengths, posting sectionals that were among the fastest on the day. With a significant riding switch to Willie Pike he will get his chance to turn the tables over this extra trip on a firmer deck. Concede that (3) DR DRILL is set for the 2000m and is well placed in this field on his best form….but 750 days since his last win is a worry!

RACE 8: Too many queries hang over this field to be confident about any runner. Maybe something each way (6) PHILIPSBURG at odds as he had excuses last time but include as many as you like in the quaddie – 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11 all have claims.

RACE 9: Hard to split the last start winners (10) PER INAWAY and (13) BELLA ROUGE with both drawn to enjoy good runs. Ex-Kiwi PER INAWAY has had only five starts and is open to improvement off her strong local debut win at this course. The six start veteran BELLA ROUGE is also well placed back home from her Flemington win. The more seasoned (3) LADY OF LUXURY was flat second up – she'll be fitter and rails draw is a bonus.

RACE 10: Open race to end the quaddie. Pleased to see first emergency (13) FRENCH MARINE get a run as he comes out of a good form race at Randwick and is suited with the 3kg claim for hot apprentice Dylan Gibbons. (6) EL BUENA is obviously going well and will be hard to beat third up from good gate but don't overlook his stablemate (11) RUBAMOS – he has won twice when first-up and is easy to like off a soft trial. Likely leader (5) TITANIUM POWER and (12) LEASE (tough run first-up – gets weight relief) are in the mix but not helped by wide barriers.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Mr Gee (R5); Quatenus (R6); Youth Spirit (R7); Papal Warrior (R10); Rubamos (R10)

KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Just Wai (R2); We Don't Roam (R2);

IPSWICH SATURDAY: Kalashnikov (R6)

NEWCASTLE MONDAY: Denarvi (R5); Beer Palace (R7)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Reach For Gold; The Milky Bar Kid; Eponymous; Tashi; The Himalayas; Rita May; Cliff's Art; Waihaha Falls; Resistible; Osipenko; Kiku; Pinnace; Parlayed; Kibou; Saquon; Cinderella Days; Emilia Romagna; Cruel Summer; Cross Talk.

TRIAL POINTERS

RANDWICK June 3: The only 1200m heat (75.63; 3.55) was won by the imported YOUTH SPIRIT, a 4YO by Camelot in the Waterhouse/Bott stable with a G3 win over 2400m to his credit in the Chester Vase. This was his second local trial and his on speed win was typical of the prep this stable gives their imported stayers. There was some depth in this heat with another import IRISH LEGEND taking the eye with a strong trial.

RANDWICK February 7: Black Opal winner KALASHNIKOV has been off the scene last year's Golden Slipper but was ticking over nicely for his return while still in the Snowden stable. This was his second trial and he was dominant surging away from his rivals over the last 200m to win by almost four lengths in easily the fastest of the six heats over 1050m (62.12; 34.58). He's since gone to Lee Freedman at the Gold Coast where he has had two recent trials.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – June 18

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Grand Pope (R2); Americain Angel (R4); The Claimant (R7); Zorro's Dream (R9; Florescent Star (R9)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Skyman (R7); Wicklow (R8); Lady Of Luxury (R9); El Buena (R10)

IPSWICH SATURDAY: Honey Pot (R1)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Jojo Was A Man; Vinco; Political Debate; Sibaaq; Vitruvius; Surreal Step; Brosnan; Extremely Lucky; Zapateo; Twin Stars; Soxagon; Rustic Steel; Premium Choice; Aleas; Indifference; Rights Of Man; Bandersnatch; Je Suis Belle; Milford; Juan Diva; Mamounia. 

Blackbookers – Selected June 11

(Follow for next 3 starts)

GOOD AND PROPER: Will be fitter. Suited over a middle distance.

LORD ARDMORE: Set for a successful winter.

METALLICITY: Costly to date but don't sell out just yet.

SALATEEN: Like to see her in something longer.

SNIPPY FOX: Lovely return. Sure to train on.

THRONE BONE: Warmed up late. Has prospects.