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Chris Scholtz previews today's Tancred Stakes meeting at Rosehill with selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
ROSEHILL MARCH 26
RACE 3 (4) MOUNT POPA: Showed the benefit of a strong conditioning run first-up under WFA conditions when a bold second in the G3 Sky High over this course and distance two weeks ago when he just failed to hold off the seasoned Stockman. He was still a run short last time and should be beating this field if he produces the form he displayed last autumn when he beat Sacramento over 2000m in a Listed race at Randwick before a classy win over Nonconformist in the Mornington Cup (2400m).
RACE 4: (8) SATIRICAL GLORY: Has had a solid prep for this distance. Appeals at good odds as he should be strong in testing conditions.
RACE 5: (7) ANNAVISTO: Good in the wet. Hard to beat if she runs to her Melbourne ratings.
RACE 6: (14) MR MOZART: Went to a new peak with impressive last start win over this course and distance when dictating from the front. Can repeat under similar conditions.
RACE 7: (11) DUAIS: Dominant win in the Australian Cup and she's an Oaks winner over this trip. Expect her to go on with it.
RACE 8: (6) GYPSY GODDESS: Strong figures in her Queensland wins. Trust her in the heavy as she has the X factor.
RACE 9 (13) GRAVINA: Perfect set up for this talented sprinter back to 1200m on an affected track with the edge in race fitness over many resuming rivals. Added to his impressive record when he gave 6kg and an easy beating to subsequent winner Taksu when resuming over 1200m at Randwick on February 26 then far from disgraced when back in distance to 1100m in the G3 Maurice McCarten at this course two weeks ago where he finished a luckless third behind the revelation Shelby SIxtysix after he slipped and almost fell at the start. Big sectionals last time and is sure to hit the line off the certain hot speed from the flying MAOTAI.
RACE 10 (7) RUSTIC STEEL: Recorded his fifth win in only nine starts when trouncing his opposition under 57kg in a heat of the Provincial Championship on a soft track over 1400m at Newcastle on February 24 after an excellent third when resuming behind Maotai over 1200m at Randwick. He can produce a super turn of foot in affected ground and is well placed under these conditions with Hugh Bowman sure to ride him to advantage with cover from a favourable draw.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1: 8-9-13-6
RACE 2: 3-2-11-15
RACE 3: 4-5-13-1
RACE 4: 8-3-1-7
RACE 5: 7-3-10-8
RACE 6: 14-11-4-5
RACE 7: 11-2-1-3
RACE 8: 6-2-5-3
RACE 9: 13-18-9-5
RACE 10: 7-8-4-12
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS
ROSEHILL: Imaging (R6); The Frontman (R6); Exoboom (R9); Maotai (R9)
MORNINGTON: Signore Fox (R7); Hightail (R7)
NEWCASTLE: Shirshov (R1); Norman (R5); Salizada (R5); French Bonnet (R8)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Vilana; Voldemort; Sinaloa; Comrade Rosa; I Am Me; Kinloch; Nominator; Propel Motion; Willinga Beast; Loch Eagle; Forbidden Love; Fireburn; Gravina; Jukebox Flyer; Endorsement; Fire; Champions League; Character; Arthur Francis; Home Affairs; Mazu; Expat.
TRIAL POINTERS
ROSEHILL March 22: Wow! What more can you say about the speed MAOTAI displayed to win his 1050m heat by almost 11 lengths that could have been much more. He simply pulled his way to a 12 lengths lead between the 800m and 400m in a speed display that says he will test any field up to 1200m. The clock tells the story as he recorded a flying 61.41 in the heavy ground (next best 63.27) and his last 600m in 34.25 was easily the fastest sectional of the 14 heats.
GOSFORD March 18: A second impressive trial by FRENCH BONNET has the talented mare primed to resume in top form. She coasted through a Wyong trial win on February 25 and was sharp as a tack in this 1200m heat (70.51; 35.03), striding easily to a big lead in the first 600m and under no pressure to hold a five lengths advantage over her rivals in the run to the line.
WARWICK FARM March 11 (Polytrack): The second 1175m heat was won by the accomplished Group winner IMAGING (72.62; 36.50), doing enough to get the better of much lesser performed rivals.
RANDWICK March 3 (Polytrack): EXOBOOM, having his first outing since he ran in the Villiers in December, always had control of his 1080m heat and looked to have plenty in reserve holding his rivals in the run to the line (64.86; 34.68). In the fastest 1080m heat (63.99; 34.23) the trial to note came from the honest sprinter SIGNORE FOX breezing home from last in his first trial since December. He's a second tier Group performer who should find a suitable sprint over the autumn.
WYONG February 25: Kim Waugh would have been pleased with a big 1000m heat win by FRENCH BONNET (58.54; 33.41).
WARWICK FARM October 15: Unraced maiden NORMAN is a headstrong type who was on one rein for much of his trial but still had enough on them to score in good style (44.01; 33.60). Subsequent trials have confirmed his ability.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – March 23
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Moko (R2); Peace Officer (R2); Spanish Mission (R7)
MORNINGTON SATURDAY: La Rocque (R1); Evening Glory (R4); Signore Fox (R7); Superium (R7)
DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Knight Mariner (R2); Aidensfield (R6)
MORPHETTVILLE SATURDAY: Wordy (R8)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Daisies; Athelric; Maserartie Bay; Express Pass; Blackcomb; Mac 'N' Cheese; Duais; Star Of Michelin; Kinloch; She's Extreme; Zeyrek; Finance Tycoon; Comica; War Eternal; Rose Quartz; Mightybeel; Devil's Throat; Stray; Desert Icon; Worthily.
Blackbookers – Selected March 18-19
(Follow for next 3 starts)
BACCHANALIA: Ideal targets at the Brisbane carnival.
BANKER'S CHOICE: Sure to appreciate handicap conditions.
HASSTOBEGOOD: Watch for him in easier company.
IN THE CONGO: Terrific first-up. Good bet back to his own age.
KATALIN: Never handled the Valley. Better on a big track.
SEJARDAN: Luckless in the Slipper. Stay with him.
TOW THE LINE: Promising debut. Can find something easier.
