Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Rosehill meeting. Selections based on a good track.

4. Lyles looks a different horse this time around and have to be forgiving of debut effort at Warwick Farm back in October when not a lot went right. Two trials have been impressive, particularly the latest of them and if that’s an indication of where he’s at he’ll be hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. President is coming off a long break and a tie-back since running third in a Group 3 in Brisbane last May. Latest trial was some eight lengths off Lyles but strode to the line pretty well and finds James McDonald. Has to be respected. 5. Marais hasn’t done a lot wrong with six placings from seven starts and has also trialled twice ahead of the first-up run. No surprise if he’s around the mark. 6. Now Is The Hour had plenty of support off a seven week break at Canterbury and made some ground without threatening into fourth. Comes back 50m which is a concern but respect the market confidence from last start.

How to play it: Lyles WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lyles wins a trial at Rosehill on February 14

7. Manukau is a nicely bred filly who has obviously taken a bit of time given her first trial was in January last year. Second trial this time around was a nice improvement, drawn well and in what looks an open race she’s a good chance.

Dangers: 8. The Stars led them up and was run down late by a promising type in Scalable at Canterbury a couple of weeks ago. Improving with each run and should be competitive again. 10. Yes Yes Boss tackled the same race on debut at Canterbury and stuck on okay after sitting second in the run to finish third. Blinkers going on might well give her an edge. 6. Kilonova had a couple of trials in September then tipped out and has returned with a couple more including a solid enough win at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Check betting for a pointer.

How to play it: Manukau WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Manukau runs third in a Warwick Farm trial on February 11

9. Go Zola ran the best race of her five starts to date when leading and giving a big kick as she was challenged, going down narrowly. Better for the run around this trip and just has to continue that upward trend and she can be in the finish.

Dangers: 4. Bendrodt contested the same race and made some ground from the back into third at his third run back. Probably has to go back again but not far off a win and worth including. 2. Wa Wa Wa has the blinkers added after having every chance in front when an odds-on favourite but only battling into third, albeit only beaten a length. Up in distance here and could lift. 1. San Gabriel is an interesting runner first-up since the Gloaming back in October. Runner-up at his first two starts and this sort of trip suits fresh. Keep safe.

How to play it: Go Zola EACH-WAY ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Go Zola runs second at Canterbury on February 14

7. Spaceballs was solid in betting when resuming and ran right up to it with a strong win at Warwick Farm three weeks ago, beating a subsequent winner. Drawn the outside but should get across into a forward spot and good chance to repeat.

Dangers: 3. Atelier has done nothing wrong with three wins from as many starts and comes back to fillies company after a tough Canterbury win against older horses. Nicely drawn and could easily go on with the job. 6. Eternal steps up in trip after going under narrowly when resuming at Canterbury, run down late by a handy type. Was a bit one paced there so the extra distance might well suit. 1. Rag Queen has faced Group company in her past four starts including two Group 1s so will appreciate the hefty class drop. Has the ability if things go her way.

How to play it: Spaceballs EACH-WAY ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Spaceballs wins at Warwick Farm on February 5

6. Imperial Force has his first start for Bjorn Baker and might have found a nice opportunity first-up. Had support when only beaten a few lengths by Lady Shenandoah before a spell and stable switch and two trials have been solid. Go well.

Dangers: 8. After Match was disappointing when resuming at Newcastle a month ago as a drifting favourite and has been freshened and gone back to the trials. Gets a cosy run from the inside gate and worth another chance. 7. Winchester was also a beaten favourite last start, he led and gave little when fading to run last at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Has trialled since and entitled to another chance. 3. Anavinci ran a blinder first-up from a two year break but her last couple haven’t been to the same level, though not beaten too far. Back a notch in class and worth another chance.

How to play it: Imperial Force WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Imperial Force runs third in a Rosehill trial on February 18

6. Soul Choice has the right form around her last two starts to make her appealing in this field. Run down late by Unlimited two starts ago then a month between runs and boxed on okay behind Our Anchorage both at 2000m. She draws well, can race on the pace and gets a good chance.

Dangers: 8. California Grass is a consistent type who has placed in two of three runs since winning over this trip at Warwick Farm in December. Won’t be far away once again. 2. Fulfilled appears to be getting close to a win after a game second in the same race. A repeat effort would see him in the finish. 5. Kapakiri was a beaten favourite behind Our Anchorage two starts ago then battled when sent to Melbourne. Can mix his form so no surprise if he finds it here.

How to play it: Soul Choice WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Soul Choice runs fourth at Rosehill on February 1

1. House Of Cards made his run early when beaten favourite in third at Warwick Farm last week and backs up with the blinkers on and a kind barrier. Rarely runs a bad race and could easily atone with the gear change.

Dangers: 8. Pocketing had cardiac arrhythmia when running last at Rosehill earlier this month as a short priced favourite. Happy to excuse that as he does look a horse of promise and he’s well worth another chance. Barrier might be sticky for him, that’s the only concern. 5. Flying Thinker bumped into the in-form Scintilla in two runs since winning at Newcastle first-up. Only has to hold form to be around the mark again. 4. Formidable Force is an import making his local debut with James McDonald in the saddle. Form is around the 1200m-1400m mark in the UK and any support might be significant.

How to play it: House Of Cards WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

House Of Cards runs third at Warwick Farm on February 19

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s meeting at Rosehill