3 minute read

Chris Scholtz previews the Gold Coast Magic Millions and Rosehill meetings on January 14 with selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

ROSEHILL January 14

RACE 2 (1) KALINO: We have had to wait an extra seven days for his second up appearance after they wisely bypassed the heavy track at Rosehill last Saturday. No concern with that as he will get a firmer surface in a very suitable race where the use of the 2kg claim for hot apprentice Dylan Gibbons is a big plus. This is no harder than the field he put away easily on a good track when resuming over 1200m at Randwick and he will be carrying only 1kg more in the same class.

RACE 7 (8) SPACEWALK: Quality 3YO is primed to resume after a soft trial win at Warwick Farm. Godolphin have found the right race for him as he will be carrying only 53kg, a winning weight when you assess him on his spring form that saw him narrowly beaten in the Listed Rosebud over this course and distance  and then lose a Listed race over the same trip at Flemington on protest to a subsequent G1 placegetter. Wayward manners cost him dearly last prep but he's undergone the ultimate gear change (gelded) and will trust that it makes him a better racehorse.

RACE 10 (3) SNAPPED: Top southern stable has picked the right time and place to switch this promising mare to Sydney after her super first-up win over 1000m at Sandown. Things didn't go right early in that race from a wide barrier but she exploded from the 400m with the fastest closing sectionals of the day to score by almost three lengths for her third win from only five starts, giving her a rating potential that is well above this class. They bring talented apprentice Matt Cartwright with his handy 1.5kg claim to keep the combination intact and you can expect to see her settle closer from the inside gate.

RACE 1: 12-4-2-1

RACE 2: 1-4-3-7

RACE 3: 6-1-4-10

RACE 4: 10-3-8-4

RACE 5: 7-5-6-10

RACE 6: 14-4-10-13

RACE 7: 8-4-3-5

RACE 8: 14-6-12-2

RACE 9: 11-5-2-9

RACE 10: 3-10-2-9

RACE 1 (12) STEEL CITY: Impressive trials and arrives with a big push from the top stable bringing John Allen from Melbourne. 1,2,4 and 9 have also trialled well.

RACE 3 (6) EVOCATOR (EW): Excellent trial since strong first-up win. Good draw and stable always places their horses well.

RACE 4 (10) FEARNOUGHT (Value): Should find improvement off her good first-up placing. Suited by the extra trip.

RACE 5 (1) ROYAL MERCHANT: Looks the obvious one but has a tricky draw. 1, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 13 all in the mix.

RACE 6: (14) COMPASSIONATE (Value): Rates well in an open race off last start placing at this course. Include 4,5,10 and 13.

RACE 8 (14) MODERN MILLIE (EW): Deserves a win. Will get her chance down in weight from good draw.

RACE 9 (11) TOURISTIC: Plenty of chances but this Import is ready after two strong efforts over shorter trips. 2,5 and 9 next best.

GOLD COAST January 14

RACE 1: 11-14-5-2

RACE 2: 1-11-6-7

RACE 3: 5-14-6-1

RACE 4: 2-1-3-10

RACE 5: 8-6-5-1

RACE 6: 1-14-3-12

RACE 7: 16-4-12-13

RACE 8: 4-14-7-1

RACE 9: 7-11-5-2

RACE 10: 3-6-1-12

RACE 1 (11) SEQUANA (EW): One of the better chances in an open race. 1, 2, 4, and 5 all rate well enough.

RACE 2 (1) GETTY: Inside draw a big help. Trust top stable to have this one ready. Expect support for 6, 7, and 11.

RACE 3 (5) PARRY SOUND (Value): Nice prep and he's done well here before. Ideal conditions.

RACE 4 (2) SCALLOPINI: Set for this first-up but has to beat the course specialist topweight. 3, 8 and 10 for the exotics. 

RACE 5 (8) BROOKSPIRE (Value): Weight advantage over stablemate and gets McDonald. Respect 1, 4, 5 and 6.

RACE 6 (1) KING OF SPARTA: Must be better after excellent first-up win. Will have to run down the fast 14. 2, 3 and 12 next best.

RACE 7 (16) EMPRESS OF WONDER (Value): She's a top class filly. Can finish over the top with the right run. Same applies to (4) EMPIRE OF JAPAN as they will both be suited by certain hot pace from the likes of 5, 8 and 14. (12) SUMMER LOVING with blinkers on, (7) PLATINUM JUBILEE and (13) SKIRT THE LAW must inclusions for the exotics.

RACE 8 (4) YELLOW BRICK: Don't underestimate his Toowoomba form. Drawn to get the right run. Classy filly (14) RUSSIAN CONQUEST big danger. (1) TIJUANA and (7) HELL I AM also have the class to figure. 5 and 12 next best.

RACE 9 (7) SUPERIUM: Found his best last time on a good surface. Well placed to repeat. (11) AMISH BOY has convictions but it could fall into place for him this time. (5) OSCAR ZULU can win with a clear go at them. 2 and 16 go in the quaddie.

RACE 10 (3) ALPINE EDGE: Couldn't be better placed third up on his home track. Expect big run fresh from (6) INDISCREETLY. Take (1) EF TROOP on trust. 2, 12 and 14 are value inclusions. 

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – January

GOSFORD FRIDAY: Turn Up The Night (R2); Kangaroo Court (R2); Big Happiness (R5) 

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Steel City (R1); Autunno (R1); Red Resistance (R1); Figment (R1); Contributingfactor (R4); Travest (R4); Mariamia (R7); Spacewalk (R7); Forzanini (R10)

GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Getty (R2); Steel City (R2); Desperately (R2); Storm The Ramparts (R2); Eleven Eleven (R4)

KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Nasdaq Dubai  (R1); Scream (R1); Global Encounter (R5)

MUSWELLBROOK MONDAY: Florida Sky (R2); Smart Thinker (R7); Takara Star (R7)

NEWCASTLE TUESDAY: Graceful Force (R3)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: The Instructor; Think About It; Moscow Night; Alicia Roma; Silentsar; Vreneli; Capitol Queen; Cigar Flick; Exploring; Garrison; Po Kare Kare; Hide Your Heart; Off Da Hizzle; Mission Value; Kalino, King Of Sparta; Chipper; Passeggiata; Goofy Mick; Banana Queen; Lazzago; Dynamic Impact.

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM January 3: The often wayward SPACEWALK is a Group horse and it was no surprise to see him dominate his 812m heat (48.00; 33.66) with strong win under a quite ride from James McDonald. He's been gelded and it should make him a better racehorse.

ROSEHILL December 29:  Where has 4YO entire NASDAQ DUBAI been since his only start as a 2YO in February of 2021? This was his first trial in 18 months but his natural talent was obvious as he led his 900m heat easily and was never off the bit to record a soft win by 2.32 lengths (54.43; 34.36). Russian Revolution youngster RED RESISTANCE made good improvement from his first trial when placed at Randwick to record a strong win in his 2YO heat over 900m. The time was fair (54.86; 34.64) but he did it well to travel easily three wide outside the lead and gain the upper hand with something in reserve over the last 100m.

WARWICK FARM December 23: The fastest 2YO trial was won by the racy STORM THE RAMPARTS (48.16; 33.92) while I liked the way AUTUNNO found the line under an easy ride for second in his heat (48.21; 33.98).

HAWKESBURY December 19: Top stable has a smart prospect in their Merchant Navy filly STEEL CITY. This was her first trial and she looked a readymade runner leading her 800m heat easily and running away with it to score by 3.7 lengths with plenty in hand. Posted the quickest time in the three 2YO heats (47.47; 34.54).

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – January 13-14

BALLINA FRIDAY: Spangler (R7)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Sacrimony (R2); Regal Pom (R5); Hokkaido (R5); Super Pursuit (R7)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Swords Drawn (R4); Rumbled Again (R5)

GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Mobstar (R4); Vowmaster (R6); Empress Of Wonder (R7); Summer Loving (R7); Tyresa (R8)

TRENTHAM SATURDAY: Levante (R8)

NEWCASTLE TUESDAY: Competition (R5)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Deficit; Frumos; Mr Rock It; Dunkel; Sunshine In Paris; Skyman; Validated; Superium; Cavalier Charles; Vienna Princess; Athelric; Bankers Choice; Turbeau; High Blue Sea; Pal D'Oro; Vilana; Key Largo; Argentia; Port Albert; Turaath; Minsk Moment; Rocketing By; Asfoora; Highlights.

Blackbookers – Selected January 7

(Follow for next 3 starts)

COMPETITION; LUNA CAT; MOBSTAR; MONARCH OF EGYPT; PIZARRO; SHA OF GOMER; TYRESA