By Ray Hickson
ROSEHILL GARDENS – BEST BET: Race 3 # 5 – POLYGLOT
Only four starts under his belt so far but he’s shown enough to suggest he’s well placed to resume with a win. Gelded since that first prep which realised a maiden win on a heavy track and it ended with a solid fifth behind Growing Empire, one of our best three-year-old sprinters, at Flemington in September. That’s not bad for a Benchmark 72. James McDonald had a feel of the Godolphin gelding in his latest barrier trial and it was an easy win as he sat wide and cruised to the post in front. Drawn well and everything points to a big first-up run.
ROSEHILL GARDENS – BEST VALUE: Race 9 # 3 – AGE OF SAIL
Granted he’s more a 2000m-plus type but 1500m fresh on a wet track looks appealing, especially with a few rivals having question marks around them on soft and heavy ground. Yet to win first-up but placed three of four including last time in and he ran a close third at his only start on a heavy track second-up in that prep. Nice recent trial over the 1200m where he closed off nicely behind them, draws okay and he should run a big race in a wide open field.
ROSEHILL GARDENS – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 6 # 2 – EMMADELLA
She was a sectional eye-catcher in her first-up run and she backed it up with a comprehensive win in a 1400m Midway, beating a subsequent winner comfortably, three weeks ago. Her turn of foot was on display in that race as she ran easily the fastest last 600m in 34.59 according to Punter’s Intelligence. And she’s clearly notched the quickest 400m-200m running 11.11 and final 200m as she clocked 11.86 with only two horses in that race breaking 12 seconds. She has a win on a Rosehill heavy track from mid last year and should be close to peak fitness now.
WYONG – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 8 # 8 – IDLE FLYER
Lightly raced filly from the Matthew Smith yard who showed some ability in her first preparation which ended with an easy maiden win at Kembla Grange on a soft track. She signalled a win isn’t too far away when she returned at the same track two weeks ago. She found the 1000m a bit sharp for her but she was hitting the line nicely and the rise in trip is a big plus. She’s drawn nicely and looks a good chance to go one better.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting