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By Ray Hickson

A look at the chances of every runner in the Listed $160,000 Toyota Forklifts WJ McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The race has been won recently by Frankely Awesome, Stockman and last year Skyman was a popular winner with 53kg under William Pike.

1. Desert Icon (SCRATCHED).

2. Bois D’Argent (Annabel Neasham): You couldn’t fault his performance to win the Lord Mayors Cup a month ago, he sat midfield and made a long run around them. Swung wide on the turn and toughed it out to deny the challenges of Navajo Peak and Wicklow. He faces a 2.5kg rise on that win, which was a blanket finish, and there hasn’t been a whole lot of form come out of the race. That said, he’s improved with each run this time in and if he can improve again he’s in the finish.

Bois D'Argent (Pic: Bradley Photos)

3. Irish Sequel (Chris Waller): Won the Winter Cup last year then backed up to win the Brisbane Cup but has only raced once since then. He couldn’t keep up over the 1400m at Randwick three weeks ago and has since had a fitness trial. On face value you’d say wait until he strikes form again as he’s jumping straight to 2000m but he did win second-up at 1800m, albeit on a heavy 10, in that preparation.

4. Benaud (John O’Shea): Honest stayer but still just the one win in 18 starts which was a maiden on debut. Not sure what his sweet spot is, clearly he’s a good class middle distance horse. He did run a close second to Hitotsu in the ATC Derby of 2022 and started 10/1 in a Caulfield Cup. Best effort this preparation was at this track and distance in the Neville Sellwood in March, running fourth behind Zeyrek, and that was on a good 4. Similar conditions to what he meets. Gave away a start in the Mornington Cup at his last run and ran on without threatening. One day it’ll align for him and he’s capable of winning a race like this.

5. Lord Ardmore (Chris Waller): He’s done a bit of threatening to win this preparation but hasn’t quite converted though it might we wise to keep him on side. Boxed on okay in the Lord Mayors Cup behind Bois D’Argent and gets a weight turnaround on him for that. Dropped to the mile last week and stayed on the fence where a run didn’t present until nearing the 100m mark and he made good ground late. So on the back up and up to 2000m is a good scenario for him, it’s now over to Lord Ardmore to find his best.

6. Bartholomeu Dias (Annabel Neasham): Bobs up now and then but in general is a bit hard to catch. Carried 61.5kg second-up at Eagle Farm two weeks ago and didn’t make any ground from worse than midfield. Blinkers on here and down 6kg so he will get his chance to improve, however has to be taken on trust.

7. Esti Feny (Matthew Smith): The seas parted for this gelding to post an overdue win in the Gosford Cup but was a month between runs, having not contested the Lord Mayors Cup as planned, when safely held back to 1800m two weeks ago. He wasn’t disgraced there with 60kg and will be better suited back up in trip and down in weight. Barrier is a bit sticky for him but generally he’s a backmarker so it’ll come down to how the race pans out as to his winning chances.

8. Regal Lion (SCRATCHED).

9. Steely (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou): You’d think a win isn’t too far off for this consistent gelding based on his past two runs over the Randwick mile. He’s on the back up after looming to win last week only to be ambushed by Democracy Manifest who had the better sprint late. Won twice at 1800m but only tried the 2000m once for a midfield finish in the ATC Cup in the summer. He started $3.90 in that race and probably didn’t find himself in the best spot three back the fence unable to wind into it. Can see him sitting handy here and gets his chance to run it out.

Zoumon (Pic: Bradley Photos)

10. Bold Mac (Chris Waller): He’s been thereabouts in all three runs of late and he warmed up well from the back in the 1800m lead up here two weeks ago, the race dominated by the quinella who were one-two the whole way. His one try at 2000m in his career yielded a second placing in a Benchmark 88 at Randwick back in February prior to a six week freshen up. Barrier one this time might see him settle a bit closer and wouldn’t be leaving him out.

11. Wild Chap (Brett Lazzarini): Considering his starting prices of late he’s going super having contested the Hawkesbury Cup, Wagga Cup and Scone Cup before a fourth here two weeks ago at $101 battling on from behind the leaders. He’s capable of sitting on the pace but you’d imagine at this level he probably needs a wetter track than he’s going to strike given he’s one from 19 on good ground.

12. Zoumon (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Game in defeat first-up at 1800m where he went down narrowly giving Mach Schnell 3kg here two weeks ago. He crossed to the fence first but the winner wrested control and ultimately held on to win. He’s won second-up at his last two preps in this distance range and he was far too good over 2000m with 60kg third-up at benchmark 78 level back in December. Gets in with the limit and looks the likely leader. If he gets control he’ll take some running down.

13. Mach Schnell (SCRATCHED).

SELECTIONS:
12 Zoumon
9 Steely
2 Bois D'Argent
5 Lord Ardmore

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