By Nick Berney
ROSEHILL GARDENS – BEST BET: Race 8 # 19 – ASCOLI PICENO
Keen on her, she brings world-class Japanese form lines to this event. The filly is a Group 1 winner and was ultra-impressive, winning last start with style. Further, she showed adaptability/acceleration, and her ratings profile suggests she has multiple winning figures. The wide draw is of little concern as she has sat wide in fast-pace races overseas and won/ran time, and she has the key booking of Joao Moreira. Additionally, her class will take her a long way, and she has the potential to go to a new level.
ROSEHILL GARDENS – NEXT BEST: Race 10 # 9 – BULLETS HIGH
He was a strong winner first-up, producing a career peak figure at his home track and was well-backed late in the trade. The gelding was run to suit, but to his credit, he wanted to keep picking up and find the line. The clock backed up his late visual strength, and he recorded one of the meeting's fastest final 200m splits. All key indicators suggest he can improve again up in trip and has the closing speed to run over the top of his rivals.
ROSEHILL GARDENS – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 5 # 9 – PIRAEUS
He is ready to peak third-up after catching the eye last start in a Midway Handicap (1400m) when running third. The five-year-old had the race shape against him and had to make a long, sustained sprint. Punter's intelligence recorded his sectional merit. He ran the race's fastest final 600m/400m/200m splits in 33.23/22.12/11.21 and is suited up in distance. Moreira rides for the first time and he maps to be smothered away.
NEWCASTLE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 6 # 4 – BE REAL
She should've won first-up and was mathematically out of the race last start at Warwick Farm in a stronger grade. After being outpaced when the sprint went on, the mare's effort was much better than the form guide reads, but she closed off well and ran hidden closing splits. She drops sharply in grade, gets to a preferred trip and has multiple winning figures. Hard to hold out with even luck.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting