Two feature races packed with rising young stars of the turf combine with one of Western Sydney’s longest running racedays at Rosehill Gardens on the eve of spring this Saturday.
ClubsNSW West Metro San Domenico Raceday is the 34th consecutive year Australian Turf Club has joined with some of Sydney’s biggest clubs to raise funds for charity.
The $250,000 Group 3-Smithfield RSL San Domenico Stakes and $250,000 Gr 3-CMNL Up and Coming Stakes – two key pathway races for three-year-olds heading into spring – are part of a 10-race card.
Two boom colts in Storm Boy and Gatsby’s (San Domenico) and star filly Autumn Glow (Up and Coming) are among the headline acts as Sydney racing heads into another spectacular spring racing season.
Gatsby's (James McDonald) coasts home at Rosehill Gardens. Image by Bradley Photographers
Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering, Nevesh Ramdhani said more of Sydney’s best gallopers would step out in coming weeks, taking on stables and jockeys from across Australia and beyond.
“Several of Sydney’s most promising three-year-olds continue their campaigns on Saturday heading towards major targets including the $1 million [Group 1]-Golden Rose in September," Mr Ramdhani said.
“Group and feature racing will continue to build each Saturday over the next 11 Saturdays and as we head towards Australia’s two biggest prizemoney events in the $20 million TAB Everest and $10 million Golden Eagle."
Among Western Sydney’s biggest and most popular Clubs supporting the raceday are Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL, Smithfield RSL, Bankstown Sports, Mounties Group, Campbelltown Catholic Club, Cabra-Vale Diggers and Merrylands RSL.
Saturday will see a sold-out function of more than 500 people raise funds for charity partner Little Wings. Since starting the annual raceday in 1990, Clubs NSW Western Metropolitan Region has raised more than $2 million for a range of charities.
Little Wings – which has been the official charity partner since 2018 – flies children from remote areas across NSW to Westmead Hospital for repeat treatment.
Clubs NSW Western Metropolitan Region President, Bill Treloar said Little Wings would receive a $30,000 donation as part of Saturday’s event.
“We are delighted to again join with the ATC for this hugely popular raceday which will raise funds and awareness for Little Wings and a range of other charities," Mr Treloar said.
“We have always believed that Clubs are very much part of our community and as such should participate in helping non-for-profit and sporting charities within the region."
Chris Waller’s boom colt Gatsby’s with James McDonald opens the $2 TAB favourite in the $250,000 Gr 3-Smithfield RSL San Domenico Stakes in front of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stabled Storm Boy ($2.40) for jockey Adam Hyeronimus.
Mayfair (Waterhouse & Bott; $8 into $6) with jockey Tim Clark is the only other runner under double figures in early betting.
That stable and jockey combination three years ago took out the San Domenico with In The Congo before going on to win the Golden Rose.
Another Waller-trained last start impressive winner in filly Autumn Glow is the $2 TAB favourite in the $250,000 Gr 3-CMNL Up and Coming Stakes.
Full fields for Saturday’s meeting can be found HERE and TAB markets for all races HERE.
For all racing, general and ticketing information go to theraces.com.au