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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting. Selections based on a good track.

Arguably the race of the day kicks off Rosehill and it’s hard not to be impressed by 2. Private Harry and how he’s gone about winning his two starts to date. Sat off them on debut before sweeping past then led them up and cruised to a seven length win at Hawkesbury. He’s one of several horses in this race that looks to have plenty of upside, 1200m holds no fears and gets his chance to show his wares.

Dangers: 3. Theblade has shown his share of talent and romped to an easy maiden win on a wet track at Kensington back in August. Trialled up well beating Time To Boogie in his only public hitout this time in. May be giving Private Harry a start and that could be the difference between them. 4. Scorching Legend scored a remarkable win when resuming at Canterbury, clearly appreciating getting on top of the ground and perhaps racing off the speed. He gave away a huge start and was still near last at the 200m before swamping them. Looks promising, coming back 50m might be against him but expect he’ll be steaming home. 5. Manuscript stepped out as a $1.50 favourite first-up and led all the way to a comfortable maiden win a month ago. Expect he’ll be part of the speed picture and interesting to see where he measures up.

How to play it: Private Harry WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Private Harry wins at Hawkesbury on November 21

This race might shape up nicely for 3. Miss Hades to break through this preparation. Fair to say she had every chance third-up at Rosehill, sitting on the speed, but she was excellent in this grade at Kembla Grange two weeks ago running on into second on a day where it was a little hard to make ground. Should be good speed and meets the winner of that race 5kg better so the platform is there for her to fire.

Dangers: 6. Justela put the writing on the wall first-up before winning that Kembla Grange Midway in good style. Does have the disadvantage at the weights to overcome but sure to be even fitter too. Could easily repeat the dose. 7. Magnatear was brave when run down in a good form race here a month ago then led and kicked away, possibly overdoing it up front, but held on for third behind Harlow Mist in mile Midway at Newcastle. Will be on speed here and if he somehow gets the favours he can take running down. 10. Direct Fire was too quick for them over 1300m at Rosehill last month then did a bit of work from the wide gate and boxed on well for third behind Justela. Much kinder draw this time, will have some competition for the lead but hard to leave him out.

How to play it: Miss Hades WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Miss Hades runs second at Kembla Grange on November 23

2. Villasaurus did have a nice run when he resumed with a dominant showing in a Highway last month but won it in the style of a horse that can go on to better things. Perhaps a Country Championships. Proved far too good for a subsequent Highway winner and only meets that horse half a kilogram worse. There should be enough tempo to give him his chance.

Dangers: 1. Everido finished three lengths behind Villasaurus before he posted an overdue Highway win in a close finish at Kembla Grange. Every chance again from the draw. 4. Lambay comes through the same race from Kembla where he sat handy and held on for the minor placing. Did start favourite in the Villasaurus Highway three runs back and has a case to run well again. Also worth considering 14. In Summer off an easy second-up win and 15. Ulysses Blue isn’t the worst at big odds having finally drawn a decent gate.

How to play it: Villasaurus WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Villasaurus wins at Rosehill on November 2

8. Gentileschi was a huge hidden run in the Highway at Kembla Grange, she didn’t get a shot at them at any stage and turned the corner at the tail on a day when they weren’t charging home from the back before only being beaten three lengths. She had 58kg and while up in class here this isn’t the strongest race and 1800m third-up is the right scenario for her to produce her best.

Dangers: 7. Brazil is an up and comer and shapes as though the distance will suit him. Question mark on the quality behind him last time but he put a margin on them late at 1500m at home. With that upside he can measure up. 6. Bestower backs up after an unlucky third in the Cessnock Cup at Newcastle last weekend. Ran on well into second in this grade a month ago so is far from out of her depth and has to be considered. 4. Heed The Omens was good first-up at Kensington and can be forgiven for the second-up effort at Kembla where he was always well back and only made a little ground late. Perhaps the extra distance is in his favour.

How to play it: Gentileschi EACH-WAY ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Gentileschi’s last start at Kembla Grange on November 23

9. Shangri La Spring is the sole three-year-old in the race and very much an up and comer facing his biggest test. Dominant in two wins from as many starts this time in at Kembla Grange and Hawkesbury and it’s fair to say there are no stars in this race especially if the top weight heads to Mudgee. Don’t mind the draw as he’ll roll to the lead and take some running down.

Dangers: 3. Fiddlers Green also comes out of lesser company with an easy first-up win at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks ago. A bit of form has come through that race with Pioneer Lass running well during the week. Giving the colt 4.5kg so it’ll be an interesting match up. 5. Bright Red bobs up now and then and she’ll appreciate the extra 200m on her first-up third at Rosehill last month. Nash goes on and she’ll have the chance to stalk so commands some respect. 7. Darling Downs didn’t look like being beaten when scoring easily on the Kensington track at the end of October. Gap between runs is interesting but she’s come back in great order this time in so has to be considered.

How to play it: Shangri La Spring WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds).

Shangri La Spring wins at Hawkesbury on November 21

Hard to sway from 1. Bullets High who backs up after being just a bit stiff at Rosehill last weekend. That was on the back of a close call at Newcastle. There should be genuine enough speed on here and at the 2000m he’s right in his sweet spot. If you’ve been on him of late it’s not the time jump off until we see him in this race.

Dangers: 5. Morryl Moral set a strong tempo at Kembla and considering the $41 starting price he did well to hold on to third. Expect this race will be less frantically run and a repeat of the effort would stand him in good stead to run well. 12. Be Real is another to come through that race and thought she held her ground okay in a race where it was tough to make some ground. Rarely runs a bad race and wouldn’t be leaving her out of the mix. 9. Good Banter showed some improvement at Flemington last time and has been aided by some rain around so she could be dangerous.

How to play it: Bullets High WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bullets High runs fifth at Rosehill on November 30

After watching 7. Drift Net kick clear at the 200m and look all over a winner only to be reeled back in late is probably not the most encouraging set up to want to jump on but there are a few things in her favour this time that suggest she’s worth one more chance. We know she’s going to run well but can she put one away? There doesn’t look to be a lot of speed here and she comes back 100m. Imagine Tommy will hold her for as long as he can and this could be the day.

Dangers: 3. August Bloom is a huge watch first-up from a break and on the back of a very nice barrier trial win late last month. She ran well in Group 3 mares company before a break and did win first-up in the previous prep. Gate doesn’t help her cause but have to respect. 9. How Dare You completely blew the start at Canterbury and when she tacked on was badly held up for a run before getting home nicely late. Likely she’s right in the finish had all gone well. Another drawn out but if luck goes her way she’s right in there. 5. Captain Amelia won that race at Canterbury in a return to her best form. She sprinted sharply from the back there and a repeat effort would be good enough to be in the finish given she gets a nice run from a soft draw.

How to play it: Drift Net WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Drift Net runs third at Rosehill on November 30

14. Bojangles is well up to running a big race third-up after a couple of handy efforts this time in under less than ideal circumstances for him. Outsprinted first-up at the short course then settled well back at Kembla Grange and worked to the line nicely under 60kg in an on pace dominated race. Drops 8kg, draws well and there’s guaranteed tempo. He can be in the finish.

Dangers: 7. I’mintowin is the logical horse to beat. He won well first-up under 62kg in a race a few grades below this after leading and he did clock fast time. No doubt he will cross from the wide gate and look to find the front, if he gets control he will take some catching. 10. Battleton is hard to fault of late with a win and a couple of placings at his past three. Had his chance at Canberra last time but with the scratchings has a big chance. 6. Konasana is better known as a wet tracker but she also didn't have a lot of luck at Cranbourne last start. Stays under notice.

How to play it: Bojangles EACH-WAY ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Bojangles runs fifth at Kembla Grange on November 23

10. Dollar Magic is better known for filling a minor placing than her wins but this might be a good opportunity for her to notch another victory. Both recent runs have been sound and she tried hard chasing Tristate at Rosehill a month ago. Has a 5kg weight advantage on that horse this time. She missed last week due to the wet track but gets conditions, a draw and likely tempo to suit her and she’ll be thereabouts again.

Dangers: 2. Tristate has to be included and he did carry the same weight to win a Benchmark 78 before holding on for third in the Starlight last week. Will be on speed and is racing too well to be left out of discussions. 8. Fire Star has been aided by a scratching that might help him offset the wide gate, hard to fault with three wins on end and is a definite chance. 7. Inhibitions is back in distance with blinkers on after looming but not being able to get the better of Uzziah at Newcastle. Handles soft tracks and has a show.

How to play it: Dollar Magic EACH-WAY ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Dollar Magic runs second at Rosehill on November 2

5. Midnight Opal has the hoof right on the till to break through this preparation. Reacted well to the inclusion of blinkers when chasing I’mintowin home at Kembla Grange, while he did have his chance he didn’t give up the chase. Drawn to land in a handy position again and is a good chance in a race with several leading hopes.

Dangers: 3. Little Beginnings was scratched from Mudgee on Friday to run here. Too good for Drift Net when winning fresh and second-up form is solid enough. 7. Scorch got the job done when resuming at Canterbury, this is harder but fitter and down 2kg and in a race of few chances he's one of them. 4. Noble Soldier is a good wet tracker who will appreciate getting away from the firmer ground from Kembla last time and could get into a placing in the small field at leas.

How to play it: Midnight Opal WIN. ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Midnight Opal runs second at Kembla Grange on November 23

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting