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By Brad Gray
At Rosehill Gardens

Apprentice Battle Not 'Over' Yet
Racing is a game of inches, and often even less. That was evident again on Saturday at Rosehill Gardens with the judge unable to split two-year-olds Dio D’Oro and Toulouse.

Jean Van Overmeire clawed back half a win on Rachel King in the race to the metro apprentice title but how significant could that half be come the end of the racing season? King still holds a 5.5 win lead.

“It’s still something to run Rachel down,” said Overmeire.

“(Dio D’Oro) has come back seven days later and done the same as he has done the last two. He is a tough horse, stepping up in distance and with the big weight full credit to him.”

Overmeire revealed he thought he had the measure of his rivals half way down the straight but peaked close to the line, with the weight difference of 2kg with Toulouse telling at the finish.

Jason Collett, meanwhile, seized the chance to have Derby aspirant Toulouse much closer in the run.

“He is looking like that sort of trip will suit him he relaxes beautiful it was a good test today but to put himself in a position is a good racing style to have,” said Collett.

“It was a good opportunity to ride him like that and he was strong late, albeit flatfooted when he was put under pressure.”

Official photo from the first at @rosehillgardens which was declared a dead heat! pic.twitter.com/VegZlCcYIO

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) June 30, 2018

Liapari Wins Civic, Jungle Edge Earns Break
Liapari claimed the Listed Civic Stakes coming from nowhere to claim Dreamforce on the line, who looked home for all money.

Jungle Edge, who was heavily supported to jump race favoutrie, had the foot to the floor from the start with Kevin Forrester taking no prisoners. Punters Intel reveals Jungle Edge ran his 1350m-800m in 33.84s.

That tempo played right into the hands of Liapari.

“He really surged to the line the last 150m. He has always possessed that. It’s been a while since he has won so hopefully it gives him a bit of confidence moving forward,” said in-form hoop Jay Ford.

“When I cut through the inside he picked them up very comfortably. He really lengthened well late. Like I said, it’s his first win for a while but it won’t be his last going off that.”

Brenton Avdulla was left wondering would would have been if Dreamforce had drawn a barrier while Forrester suggested Jungle Edge’s first up win might have taken the edge off him.

“He is having a month off now. He tries so hard and it might be the end of his tether. He always comes back though,” said Forrester.

Punters are supporting @Jungle_Edge! pic.twitter.com/d1VlTA7MjL

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) June 30, 2018

Two For Future Highways
Matt Dunn added to his growing tally of Highway Handicap victories after Reeling gave his rivals a start and a beating at Rosehill but comments from the jockeys of the two beaten favourites suggests Highway Handicap wins aren’t far away for both Gitan or Bocelli.

“He ran very well. I was very happy with the run and I think if he comes back in a couple of weeks he is going to be hard to beat,” said Jean Van Overmeire, after riding Gitan.

Bocelli loomed as the winner half way down the straight but didn’t dash like he can with Corey Brown putting it down to the wet track.

“He has the right run from the tricky gate but didn’t let go on it. He whacked away and was a bit unsure of himself on that type of going. He ran well but is better on top of the ground,” said Brown.

Krogh Grabs First Sydney Winner
Quayde Krogh rode his first metro city winner on Saturday at Rosehill Gardens, guiding Cranbourne-based mare Gala Moshea to victory.

Thumbs up from Quayde Krogh (Pic: Steve Hart)

The 26-year-old 3kg claimer is on loan to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and having been in Sydney for two months, was rewarded for his hard work.

Formerly based in North Queensland, Krogh, who has only been riding for four years, sighted an opportunity to head south to New South Wales. He was full of praise for the Brett Conlon-trained Gala Moshea.

“She really enjoyed the soft going today and the trainer had been pretty happy with her work the Sydney way of going. As soon as I asked for an effort at the top of the straight she was always going to get there, especially with the light weight,” Krogh said.

What The Jockeys Sayed
Sam Weatherley was left to shrug his shoulders regarding the performance of race favourite Sayed in the Listed Winter Cup.

“He was pretty disappointing,” he said, “He didn’t switch off like I would have liked him too. In the small field I couldn’t get any cover but he was beaten when the pressure went on. I don’t know…”

Meanwhile, Jay Ford was again full of praise for the old warhouse Destiny’s Kiss who made a late charge at the winner Harper’s Choice, who broke a 534 day winless drought, but fell half a length short.

“He was gallant as always. It was a terrific effort. There was no speed in the race and they handed it to the winner,” said Ford.

Of the rest, it might pay to forgive the two latest efforts from Araaja. She can turn her form around when she gets back onto a dry track. That might be next preparation for the imported mare though.

“She ran really well,” said her jockey Corey Brown, “She is going to be better on top of the ground but she is a nice horse.”

Sayed chilling before the Winter Cup. Very relaxed in the yard.

Goes around $2.20 favourite with @tabcomau. pic.twitter.com/pIgcImWaYM

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) June 30, 2018

Check out the results and replays for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.