Three Group races including two key pathways to the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper will be run at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday as Sydney’s summer racing provides an early glimpse toward autumn features.
The $250,000 Group 3-Arrowfield Canonbury Stakes and $250,000 Gr 3-Widden Stakes offer two-year-olds crucial prizemoney towards the Order Of Entry for the TAB Golden Slipper in March.
Filly Lady Of Camelot last year completed the Widden/Golden Slipper double while colt Vancouver in 2015 was the last to take out the Canonbury/Slipper double.
Saturday also sees the running of the $250,000 Gr 3-Schweppes Southern Cross Stakes and a clash of in-form sprinters Accredited and Disneck.
Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering, Nevesh Ramdhani said Saturday was an important step for stables heading to the $5m TAB Golden Slipper on 22 March.
“We are just seven weeks out from the world’s richest race for two-year-olds and from Saturday right through will see owners and trainers living their dream of a life-changing moment in racing," Mr Ramdhani said.
“Sydney’s biggest stables are well represented in both the fillies and colts races on Saturday as we watch the TAB Golden Slipper take further shape."
Burma Star for trainer James Cummings and jockey Tim Clark opened the $2.40 TAB favourite in the Arrowfield Canonbury Stakes.
The Chris Waller-trained stablemates Tropic ($3.60) and Fermoy ($4.80) are next with 18 of the past 20 winners of the Arrowfield Canonbury Stakes having started in the top three of betting.
Tempted for James Cummings is the TAB favourite ($3.90 into $3.40) ahead of The Playwright ($3.50) for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and with Regan Bayliss aboard in the Widden Stakes.
Gai Waterhouse with five Widden Stakes wins in total including one in partnership with Adrian Bott, holds the training record in the race as they look to repeat last year’s success with Lady Of Camelot.
Snitzel Miss trained by Chris Waller ($4.20) is next in betting where 17 of the past 20 winners of this race having been in the top three in betting.
The Joe Pride-trained Accredited for jockey Jay Ford is the $2.60 favourite in the Schweppes Southern Cross Stakes as the horse looks for a fourth consecutive win. Disneck (Bjorn Baker/Zac Lloyd) is at $5.50 and is also looking for a fourth straight victory.
Full fields for Saturday’s Rosehill Gardens meeting can be found HERE and full TAB markets for all races HERE.
Saturday’s10-race card begins at 12.30pm with the final race due to start at 5.55pm. For all racing, ticketing and general information go to theraces.com.au