3 minute read
Chris Scholtz previews the Missile Stakes meeting at Rosehill on August 8 with best bets and selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
ROSEHILL August 8
RACE 2: (4) Royal Banquet
RACE 5: (7) Guise (Value)
RACE 6: (5) Anders
RACE 9: (3) Perigord (EW)
RACE 1: 2-3-9-6
RACE 2: 4-6-2-1
RACE 3: 2-4-13-3
RACE 4: 5-1-3-7
RACE 5: 7-2-6-1
RACE 6: 5-1-4-7
RACE 7: 10-5-4-2
RACE 8: 10-6-3-2
RACE 9: 3-9-1-7
RACE 2 (4) ROYAL BANQUET: Rising quickly through the ranks with four wins from first five starts including an unbeaten run of three straight this prep since he joined the stable of young Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle. Made it two from two on heavy tracks when he bolted to a five lengths win over 1400m at Warwick Farm on July 29 and Doyle has him perfectly placed to graduate to Saturday company by utilising Tom Sherry's 3kg claim as he will drop 5kg off that latest win. Maps to enjoy the run of the race sitting on the back of the pace.
RACE 5 (7) GUISE: With another heavy track in the offing I can find a number of reasons to make this mare a worthy each-way gamble. In her last six starts since early June, all in this class in the 1600m-2000m distance range, she has carried between 57kg and 59.5kg on slow and heavy tracks and now gets down to 55.5kg on her home track where she runs her best races. She is certain to get a fairer chance than her last two outings in very heavy ground over 1800m at Randwick where she has run home gamely against the pattern, setting her up for another crack at 2400m after one placing from her two previous starts over the distance.
RACE 6 (5) ANDERS: Like most in this quality field he is returning from a break but compared to the longer spells of most of his rivals he has had only 70 days off with his residual fitness evident when he cruised to an impressive trial win on the polytrack at Randwick last week. The trial confirmed the promise he showed as a late 2YO, ending his season in May with back to back 1100m wins including his last start in heavy going at this course under 58kg. With 54kg from a soft draw he appeals as the right horse for the short course conditions.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – August 5-6
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Heart Of The Oak (R5); Prime Star (R6); Anders (R6); Ole Kirk (R6); Melody Belle (R7); Mister Sea Wolf (R7); Flit (R7)
MELODY BELLE/MISTER SEA WOLF (Kensington July 31): The top shelf Kiwi mare took the honours, responding to riding over the last 200m to split the leaders and score in her 850m heat in 51.50 (35.01), her rider ensuring she had a solid hitout to have her sharp for 1200m first-up. I really liked the way MISTER SEA WOLF found the line late under no pressure for an eye catching fourth. He boasts a very good fresh record.
ANDERS (Randwick July 28): ANDERS (45.70; 32.,94) won by a big margin in his 780m heat under double wraps and could have gone much quicker if asked for a serious effort.
HEART OF THE OAK (Rosehill July 17): The 3YO trial was won in strong style by this talented Sebring filly, doing it with ease to record the fastest time for the seven 900m heats (55.15; 35.21). She was tried in Group company in the autumn after three restricted wins and should make further progress as a 4YO.
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Indignant (R3); Bel Suono (R3); Reignite (R5); Sidearm (R5); Canadian Spice (R6); La Tigresa (R6); Skymist (R6)
GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Kimpembe (R7)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Home Of The Brave (R6); Hightail (R6)
HOME OF THE BRAVE (Kensington July 31): No surprise to see this specialist sprinter do it easily on his favoured heavy track conditions. Ridden with no urgency early, he tracked the leaders and railed through under a quiet ride to record the fastest of three heats over 850m for the Group and Listed horses (50.46; 34.29).
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Media Starguest; Bigger Than Thorn; Torun; Quatum; Dancing Gidget; Eduardo; Mugatoo; Castlecomer; The Face; Destination; On The Lead; Redoute's Image; Yardstick.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners - August 8
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Birth Of Venus (R5); Ole Kirk (R6)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: South Pacific (R1); Five Kingdom (R4); Laburnum (R5); Sword Of Mercy (R8)
GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Getyourgreyon (R5)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Emeralds; Chassis; Zourhea; Maddi Rocks; Creedence; Inanup; Krone; Sixties Groove; Frankely Awesome; Sure Knee; Viridine; Harbour Views; Tyzone; Vassilator.
