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The Chris Waller trained gelding Born A King was visually impressive winning the Roger Norton Handicap (2000m), and the clock supported his performance.

Punter’s Intelligence recorded that the overall time was 2:01.88, approximately six lengths faster than the feature McKell Cup (2000m). Further, as expected, this race rated highly relative to the day, and the decisive margins confirmed the quality.

It’s worth noting nine out of the ten winners at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday settled in lane one throughout transit before entering the home turn.

Although Born A King had this advantage, he still did it and can continue progressing throughout this preparation. In addition, that was his career peak effort, and he ran the race’s fastest final 600m sectional in 34.35.

Colour Sergeant appreciated being back onto a bigger/drier track and beat the rest easily. Expect him to go close in a similar grade next start.

Cognac led at a fast tempo running the first 1400m in 1:26:46, around ten lengths quicker than the comparative race and stuck on well into third placing. He can be hard to trust but is racing in the best form he has since arriving in Australia.

The NSW Bookmakers Co-op Handicap (1100m) was run at a moderate tempo, and there were multiple hidden sectional performers in the beaten brigade.

The Big Easy was checked/blocked, losing momentum at a critical stage but still reeled off the fastest final 600m/400m/200m sectionals of the entire meeting in 33.28/21.62/10.82 and was strong through the line.

Sonnet Star was the only other runner on the day to break 11 seconds for their final 200m. Further, she ran 10.94 for that split.

Glittery who started hard in the market can be forgiven. She travelled in lane three, a disadvantage, but she still ran the race fastest, 600m-400m split in 11.48.

Kibou led at a very slow pace and had all favours winning the ATC Bookmakers Recognition Day Handicap (1400m).

Regan Bayliss rated the gelding to perfection, running the first 800m in 50.31 and giving those settling behind him mathematically a minimal chance of reeling him in.

Lightly raced improver Osipenko settled in lane two and was unsuited in the sit and sprint tempo. He ran one of the fastest final 400m sectionals of the meeting in 22.30.

The two-year-old colt will now spell and undoubtedly come back improved next preparation.

The dry track was crucial for Allasandra’s performance, and she ran the race’s fastest 800m-400m split in 23.73. She is suited over further distance and possibly down in grade.

The David Payne trained galloper Tympanist was back in distance when competing in the Midway Handicap (1500m) and didn’t appreciate the slow tempo.

He ran one of the fastest final 400m splits of the day in 22.27 and is ready to bounce back into the winner’s stall over further distance in a similar grade.

Just Business, who comes out of the same race, hit the line hard, running the race quickest final 200m in 11.08 and looks set to peak third-up.

Bella Rouge has gone to a new level this preparation and was brave in winning the BM 78 Robert Patricks Handicap (1300m). She chased a fast tempo and was the only winner on the day to settle in lane two throughout transit.

Moreover, she ran a fast overall time of 1:17.13, approximately one length faster than the BM 78 Barry Crook Handicap (1300m). The three-year-old filly is on an upwards ratings spiral and is one to keep following.

It’s worth mentioning two other winners on the day being Naval Seal, who ran a slick 33.82 for her final 600m, and Wicklow looks to be back to his best after clocking 33.84 for his last 600m.

Fastest Last 600m: The Big Easy 33.28.