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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Saturday’s Carrington Stakes meeting at Rosehill Gardens, where we haven’t raced since December 9. The track should be in the good range and the rail is in the true position.

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The betting closer to the race will obviously be significant with all the major hopes coming off barrier trials. 6. Omar is a very well bred colt and closely related to Menari (both by Snitzel and their dams are full sisters). He trialled at Rosehill on Monday and looked excellent just working home in third place under no pressure. Also trialled nicely behind Performer earlier this month. Should land in a good spot and is a good chance.

Dangers: 7. Pembroke Castle is another to trial on Monday and there was plenty to like about the way he strode along, sweating up a bit, in scoring a comfortable win. He runs up to what he showed there and he’ll be right in the finish. 3. Outrageous has the race experience from his even debut in the Breeders’ Plate in the spring. He trialled quite similarly prior to that race to what he produced when a close third at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks ago. Certainly he wasn’t let go at all in the trial and with a soft gate he bears close watching. 2. Osorno also contested the Breeders’ Plate and he finished that race off pretty well to run fifth. He won the trial featuring Outrageous and that horse looked as though he could swallow them up if asked so that’s why he’s lower in the order. But trials are only trials and don’t always tells the full story.

How to play it: Omar WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Quinella with Pembroke Castle.

Omar cruises into third in his Rosehill trial on Monday

If this race was 1200m I’d declare 2. Siege Of Quebec just about unbeatable, particularly with the quality conditions of the race. He showed in the late winter he has plenty of talent with wins over the likes of Intuition and Calculated before finding Menari a bit too slick over the 1100m. There are no Menaris in this race and I can’t see anything leader other than Siege Of Quebec so perhaps Brenton Avdulla is able to control his own destiny. Two sound trials, he’s the best horse in the race and the one to beat.

Dangers: 3. Kennedy hasn’t had a lot of luck in small fields of late with wide runs in his last two runs at Randwick behind Pendeloque. What he has shown in those races is he’s tough and if he can find an easier run he could give it a shake. 1. Single Bullet appeared to have the Magic Millions event at Wyong shot to pieces on the home turn but he wasn’t able to find the line and racked up his sixth second placing. That’s becoming a worry and he’s got 61kg to deal with here too. In his favour is the 1100m so he can’t be ruled out. 5. Roman Typhoon was no doubt unlucky last time we saw him behind Pendeloque two weeks ago but I’m not sure that you can go as far as to say he should have won. It’s hard to know as he was stopped in his tracks when going for an impossible run but he was only beaten 2.3 lengths. He won’t get held up in a five horse field, you’d think so I guess we’ll find out.

How to play it: Siege Of Quebec WIN ($1.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Siege Of Quebec is asked to win his trial at Randwick – January 12

It’s last chance time for 5. Eusebio after two runs back though you could be forgiven for being gun shy after his third placing behind Voilier two weeks ago where he appeared to have his chance. (Punters Intel: ran equal fastest 11.77 last 200m). I’ll be a little forgiving as he was second-up from a long break and I can see him landing in a good spot midfield off the fence and getting the last shot over the final 200m. Entitled to fire this time.

Dangers: 3. New Universe is backing up for the third week in a row. He ran fourth in the Voilier race then last week ran well without looking like beating stablemate Cellarman over the Randwick mile. His big advantage is coming back to Rosehill where he’s always run well and the 1500m looks to be perfect for him. Has another chance. 9. Prometheus is the up and comer of the field with back to back Kembla Grange wins to his name this time in. The latest of those was a particularly big effort after missing the start by three lengths and taking off before the turn. He was still too good and if he does jump with them has the ability to settle handy. Threat. 4. King Darci gave his usual honest account out in the lead when run down by Cellarman at Warwick Farm before Christmas. Kept on the fresh side and he has the chance to lead them here if desired. Can’t leave out.

How to play it: Eusebio WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds) if you’re game.

Eusebio runs third at Randwick on January 13 with New Universe close up behind him

There looks to be two really serious chances and a couple of fringe hopes in this Highway but at the same time it wouldn’t surprise if an upset occurred. 2. Ori On Fire scorched when resuming at Tamworth with an all the way win over the 1000m there, winning by almost five lengths pulling up. What I do like is the fact he flew the gates and landed in front then had a kick and if he jumps quickly again then he’ll have control of this race and that makes him hard to beat.

Dangers: 6. Another Sin was a Highway winner on debut and has tackled tougher city races in two subsequent starts. He was far from disgraced behind Pendeloque at Randwick two weeks ago when sitting outside the lead. Blinkers coming off suggest he might be ridden quieter. Logical, and possibly only, threat. 12. El Mo shows promise though coming back in trip is a bit of a query here. Debuted in a solid form race then justified odds-on favouritism with an easy Goulburn win about six weeks ago. Kept fresh and should be running on strongly. 10. Torio’s Delight has run well fresh in the past and with 53kg and a handy gate he’s well worth throwing in the multiples.

How to play it: Ori On Fire WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ori On Fire proves too fast leading all the way at Tamworth on January 5

I can see 3. Samadoubt getting a controlling lead here from the wide gate and if that’s the case then he will be very hard to run down. I know he’s won at a mile previously but I’m sure he’s found 1400m a touch too far at this level in his last two starts. Comes in very well with 57kg after the claim and Jean Van Overmeire knows the horse well. Sure to give a big sight.

Dangers: 11. Merovee would probably not be suited by a slowly run race but I have to keep him safe because he looks a promising type and he did win (a maiden) first-up at the 1350m last time in. Hard to know how he’s going with two very quiet trials so be guided by the market if you do like him. Expect he’ll improve on whatever he does but he’s a big watch. 9. Thaad probably should have finished a little closer when he resumed behind Tip Top a couple of weeks ago after going for a neat run on the fence and taking a while to get through it. He may have to go forward from the wide gate to be a winning chance so keep an eye out for tactics changes via @RNSWStewards. 2. Grande Punto is racing very well without winning and he ran a close fourth in the Tip Top race, running on well late. Crying out for a Soft 5 or 6 so if there’s any surprise rain his chances soar but is an each-way hope either way.

How to play it: Samadoubt WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Samadoubt leads until the shadows when runner-up at Randwick – January 13

A couple of scratchings have helped the cause of 8. Witches and I very much hope connections decide to push forward from the outside and sit on the speed or just behind it. I think if you were on last start at Warwick Farm at the $2.60 when she had no luck you’re entitled to have something on around the $5 mark she’s come up here. Held up at a vital stage and went under less than half a length, she arguably should have won. It’ll take a bit of luck and/or a good ride but she’s a good chance.

Dangers: 11. Moss Trip ran right up to her good trial when she did a super job to come from near last and round up her rivals at Kembla Grange first-up and do it running away. Different class here and it’ll be interesting to see how far back she gets from the inside gate, or if they hold a spot. Promising and is the logical danger. 2. No Interest was thrown in the Takeover Target Stakes first-up at Gosford and she was responsible for a solid fresh effort, hitting the line when the race was all over to run fifth. Back to mares company and up in distance are both pluses and while her second-up record is only fair she’s definitely come back well. Each-way. 4. The Pinnacle only put in one bad one last time in and that was at the end of her prep on a heavy track in the Roses at Doomben. Kicks off in a suitable race and she’s well worth including in the quaddie at the very least.

How to play it: Witches E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Witches runs an unlucky third at Warwick Farm – January 17

Very interesting feature race with some high quality middle distance performers resuming mixing with race fit open class sprinters. Barrier one scares me a bit but 7. Lanciato is racing in super form and he showed last start at Randwick that he has a big turn of foot when it’s unleashed (Punters Intel: 11.76 last 200m, 34.17 last 600m). He may need that if this race is slowly run as expected but it’s a nice asset to have. I don’t think he will get back to last here and if he can be ahead of a couple and get to the right spot he will be hard to hold out. Read jockey Rachel King’s thoughts here.

Dangers: 8. George Patton was heavily backed when markets opened on Wednesday and he’s probably got into being under the odds. This import trialled sensationally at Randwick a month ago and has been kept ticking over since then. He’s had some injury concerns in his time and was originally meant to race in Hong Kong. He’ll stand out in the yard being a grey and betting closer to the race will be significant. Read what trainer Peter Snowden said here. 6. Supreme Effort loomed up to win the Takeover Target Stakes second-up and was just worried out of it late. He’s an honest campaigner who has the draw to be wherever he likes in the run and is in the mix. 3. Endless Drama came here promising a heap and has really delivered nothing of note to date, even including his first-up third to Winx and Hartnell last prep – something had to run third and he was beaten seven lengths. Two trials back have been find and in this class he’s entitled to show a lot more than he has to date.

How to play it: Lanciato WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lanciato storms down the outside to win easily at Randwick on January 6

No reason to jump off 8. Emperor’s Way who got the job done in a similar race at Randwick a couple of weeks ago, overcoming a bit of traffic in the straight to post a dominant win. He’ll race handy, in the first five or six, and given he’s at the top of his powers at the moment I’m happy to stick with him with a degree of confidence. Read Glyn Schofield’s comments on him and all his Rosehill rides here.

Dangers: 1. Get On The Grange comes from a different form line with a solid first-up fourth to Lanciato then a game on pace effort over a mile last week at Randwick behind Cellarman. Sneaks 200m closer to his optimum distance and if he gets up onto the pace again he’ll be a bit harder to run past. 10. Atlantic Fox is racing well without winning and it’s fair to say he’s had his chance of late with three placings on end. Couldn’t go with Emperor’s Way last time but gets a couple of kilos advantage to bring him a bit closer. Each-way chance. 2. Gamblestown did his usual thing and hit the line strongly when the race was over placing behind Emperor’s Way but it was his second sound performance on end so he can be expected to run well again.

How to play it: Emperor’s Way WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Emperor’s Way cruises to an easy win at Randwick on January 13

5. Pedway was responsible for a pretty big performance last time out at Canterbury where he had 60.5kg and was softened right up in the lead before shaking off the challengers only to be grabbed in the last few strides. Won’t have to lead here and should get a nice sit just behind them, drops 4kg and looks very hard to beat to me.

Dangers: 7. Difficult To Get will be up on the speed here as usual. Ran on without threatening from midfield at Canterbury two starts back then last week at Randwick she took on a better field and battled on strongly after hitting the lead 200m out. Sure to give a good account. 8. My Maher was scratched from Warwick Farm on Friday to run here and you’d have to say she was a bit disappointing first-up after having a nice enough run. Still she will be a lot fitter and this race has fallen away a little so expect her to be competitive. 2. Satirical Magic has put three Canterbury night wins together and the latest was off a seven week break. Back to 1100m but did win at this trip three runs back and while he’s obviously at his best at Canterbury he shouldn’t be left out of the chances.

How to play it: Pedway WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Pedway goes down fighting last start at Canterbury – January 10

All the fields, form and replays for Saturdays meeting at Rosehill Gardens