By Ray Hickson
Nothing but quotes from Gerald Ryan who gives punters his insight into his stable's key runners (and there are plenty of them) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Mariquita ($3.60 TAB) - R1 Schweppes Handicap (1500m)
"It was good to see her win. It mapped well before the race, she had a good run through it and was strong on the line. She’s held her form, I don’t know whether she could have come on much but she’s working the way she normally goes.''
Trapeze Artist ($4.00 TAB) - R4 Kari Stan Fox Stakes (1500m)
"He was terrific first-up with 61kg and I was surprised he led. He won’t be leading here. Because he’s going to 1500m we went back to the trials so it is like he’s had another run under his belt.
"There’s nowhere to hide with these three-year-olds this year. Why I went 1300m to 1500m then bring him back to 1400m for the Golden Rose is I reckon they’d be too brilliant over the shorter courses.''
Deploy wins wins the Show County at Randwick – August 19
Deploy ($4.40 TAB) - R5 Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m)
"He was first-up without a trial when he came back from Queensland and he’s improved from that run, he’s bright and well and bouncing in himself.
"The only thing I’ve got against him is he’s only been further back than fourth once and that was here on his home track as a maiden but he’s a different horse now. We’ll land in the first three and if nothing wants to lead we’ll take it up.''
Magic Alibi ($34 TAB) - R6 Sheraco Stakes (1200m)
"She’s had a freshen up. She was back on a biased track at her last run. She just got beaten in this race last year, but this is a lot better race this year.
"But she’s going well, eating her feed, she’ll need a bit of luck but she’s drawn a nice gate on a good track for once.''
Menari ($2.50 TAB) - R7 Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m)
"I think we go into the race with an open mind and work it out in the first 100m by how he begins and how the others begin.
"He impressed me first-up, he had a big weight (60.5kg) and sat three wide and was strong right through the line. I think he’s a genuine sprinter but I still think he will stretch to 1400m.''
Tango Rain ($3.00 TAB) - R8 Fugen Handicap (1200m)
"He’s improved off his win, he’s a high speed horse who will be right on the speed and he can sustain it. He’s a relaxed horse around the place and relaxed during a race.
"I’ll see how he goes through this run and the next then probably spell him and look to step up in class in the autumn.''
The Pharoah ($4.20 TAB) - R9 Tab.com.au Handicap (1400m)
"He’ll go forward, there doesn’t look to be oodles of speed in the race. He’s an honest tough horse whose only failure was on a soft track.
"On his work at home he’d win a maiden so that’s where it’s hard to get a line on him. He struck a good horse the other day but he stuck to his task really well.''
Check out the fields, form and replays for Rosehill on Saturday