By Nick Berney
ROSEHILL GARDENS – BEST BET: Race 8 # 2 – CYLINDER
He was a heavily backed $1.50 favourite first-up in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield and was game to score. The colt sat outside the leader in a moderate overall pace rating, but they sprinted hard at the 600m, and there was plenty of merit in the back end of the clock, which bonused his effort. Further, he wasn't entirely comfortable around that track but still clocked some of the fastest closing splits of the meeting. He profiles well for this event, where he maps to have all favours, has a fitness/SP edge over some of his main rivals, and all key indicators suggest he can only improve going in the clockwise direction. In addition, Godolphin has a strong recent record in this race, and the trainer/jockey combination of James Cummings and Nash Rawiller has been successful. When partnering in their past 100 outings together, the duo has had 20 winners for a profit on turnover of 17.6%.
ROSEHILL GARDENS – BEST VALUE: Race 7 # 17 – RAF ATTACK
Is still learning but is coming off a dominant win last start at Kensington. The colt had all favours leading at a very slow pace, but he accelerated hard and put his rivals away in style, going through the line full of energy. Moreover, his sectional profile suggests he can bounce off that performance and has an improvers action. The Waterhouse & Bott galloper will be 38 days between runs, but he has had a tick-over trial when running second to subsequent winner Tropical Squall. He can roll forward with no weight and give a sight. Each-way.
ROSEHILL GARDENS – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 1 # 8 – BUNKER HUT
Is resuming, and his first-up run from last campaign had sectional merit. The four-year-old was run to suit, and he got a good run-through but unleashed a powerful finish to run second. Punter's Intelligence recorded he ran one of the fastest final 400m sectionals of the meeting in 22.39. He's trialled well enough and repeating that performance will make him hard to hold out.
KEMBLA GRANGE – PROVINCIAL PICK: Race 2 # 3 – HELLBETTA
Has returned improved this preparation, and his first-up run had merit after having factors against him. The gelding wasn't suited to the sit/sprint race shape and then made an early move, making a long-sustained run. Further, he kept trying hard to the line with the blinkers on for the first time and held on for third. He will have benefited from that effort, can settle closer from the soft draw and races over the same track/distance. He is well-placed and hard to beat with even luck.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting