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Chris Scholtz previews the Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill on March 21 with selections for all races, The Play, Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
ROSEHILL MARCH 21
TRACK RATING - HEAVY 8 on Wednesday improved to SOFT 7 Friday. SOFT 6 rating issued Saturday at 7am.
RAIL – Out 3 Metres (True on March 14). Watch early races for rail and pace pattern. Wider draws should be no great disadvantage as day progresses.
RACE 1: (8) Hilo (EW)
RACE 4: (5) Verry Elleegant
RACE 6: (3) Warning (EW)
RACE 8: (4) Savatiano (EW)
RACE 9: (11) Anajna (Value)
RACE 1: 8-3-6-12
RACE 2: 7-9-1-2
RACE 3: 4-7-1-6
RACE 4: 5-2-1-8
RACE 5: 2-4-3-7
RACE 6: 3-2-9-10
RACE 7: 2-3-1-9
RACE 8: 4-9-15-1
RACE 9: 11-7-13-4
RACE 1 (8) HILO: Progressive Godolphin 3YO takes the step up from his impressive first-up win over 1250m on the Kensington track at Randwick where he put away his rivals in style by a big margin, making light of his big weight of 60.5kg. It was his first outing as a gelding and the operation could well be the making of him as a quality performer. Drops 4.5kg and with Hugh Bowman on board looks ready to take on this class.
RACE 4 (5) VERRY ELLEEGANT: Oaks winner is well primed for the Ranvet Stakes after her game second up effort when a fighting second to the outstanding Te Akau Shark in the G1 Chipping Norton (1600m) at Randwick. She's unbeaten in her two starts at Rosehill including one over the 2000m trip and her turn of foot could make all the difference in what shapes as a tactical race due to the lack of acknowledged pace.
RACE 9 (11) ANJANA: In the toughest race of the day there is plenty of value in this talented Melbourne mare. She's the winner of five from 14 starts including three over this trip and is well placed on her efforts in tougher Group company. Her first-up effort in the G1 Oakleigh Plate over 1100m at Caulfield was a gem as her late sectionals from the back were excellent and a perfect prep for her to take on her own sex.
ROSEHILL PREVIEW by CHRIS SCHOLTZ
RACE 1 – DARBY MUNRO STAKES (1200m)
THE PLAY: HILO is the big improver and a safe each way play. Small saver DAWN PASSAGE - any positive market move will be significant.
CHRIS SCHOLTZ SELECTS: HILO 1; Dawn Passage 2; California Zimbol 3; Mirra Vision 4.
RACE 2 – NE MANION CUP (2400m)
THE PLAY: Favourite MUGATOO is priced on potential but hard to deny he is the horse to beat at the weights – just not keen on the price! YOUNG RASCAL and RED CARDINAL would have this field covered on their best form – must go in exotics with the favourite. SUPERNOVA hard to assess second up but certain to appreciate an improving surface.
CHRIS SCHOLTZ SELECTS: MUGATOO 1; Supernova 2; Young Rascal 3; Red Cardinal 4.
RACE 3 – EPONA STAKES (1900m)
THE PLAY: Typical tricky mares race with many chances. LUVALUVA can win under the weight if she brings her best from. GREYSFUL GLAMOUR may get a cheap lead in a race lacking early pace but the issues reported after her last start are a worry. ALIFEROUS has placed in her only two starts at Rosehill and has plenty of upside from her last start. The Waller factor and home track advantage are in play with his trio SAVACOOL, ANOTHER DOLLAR and GAYATRI. The value is with GAYATRI as she should have finished much closer first-up and wants this trip. Box trifecta 1-2-4-6-7-9 may be a safe way.
CHRIS SCHOLTZ SELECTS: ALIFEROUS 1; Gayatri 2; Luvaluva 3; Savacool 4.
RACE 4 – RANVET STAKES (2000m)
THE PLAY: No designated leader so this could be a real tactical battle between the key players. Like the timing of VERRY ELEEGANT into this third up after her strong second at Randwick and her turn of foot may give her an edge if it turns into a sprint home. Have to save on ADDEYBB. No doubting his class and he wins if he runs to his best UK form but taking note that his stable says he is programmed to peak in the QE Stakes at Randwick in three weeks. Expect a big rebound from AVILIUS on his favourite track but his efforts this campaign point to the 2400m of next week's Tancred Stakes being his grand final.
CHRIS SCHOLTZ SELECTS: VERRY ELLEEGANT 1; Addeybb 2; Avilius 3; Youngstar 4.
RACE 5 – GEORGE RYDER STAKES (1500m)
THE PLAY: All TE AKAU SHARK needs is genuine pace from DREAMFORCE and he should be adding another G1 to his record. Rated through the roof last time and there is more improvement to come. Class takes THE BOSTONIAN a long way under the wfa conditions while DREAMFORCE will take running down on a track where he has missed a place only once in seven starts. You have to respect the 3YOs under wfa conditions but 28 days between runs is not ideal for SUPER SETH at this level despite his trial. This will show if age has caught up with HAPPY CLAPPER.
CHRIS SCHOLTZ SELECTS: TE AKAU SHARK 1; Dreamforce 2; The Bostonian 3; Super Seth 4.
RACE 6 – ROSEHILL GUINEAS (2000m)
THE PLAY: SHADOW HERO won the Spring Champion Stakes over this trip in October and has had a similar prep for this race. Ticks a lot of boxes but there is just as much scope for improvement in the horses that finished behind him at Randwick, especially WARNING and THE HOLY ONE. Suspect this is the race where CHENIER earns his G1 stripes. The Kiwis will love a hard run 2000m, suited if it becomes a slog.
CHRIS SCHOLTZ SELECTS: WARNING 1; Shadow Hero 2; The Holy One 3; Chenier 4.
RACE 7 – GOLDEN SLIPPER STAKES (1200m)
THE PLAY: Fillies have dominated the recent history of the Golden Slipper winning four of the last six and filling 13 of the 18 placings since 2014. It's a big stat that must be respected but this looms as a colts year as they have posted the superior figures in the key Sydney and Melbourne lead-ups. FARNAN seems certain to go forward with his chances resting on whether Bowman can cross and avoid being trapped deep in the first 500m. If it pans out right his rivals will find it hard to run him down. The map sets up perfectly for HANSEATIC and TAGALOA as both get early cover and have the strength to finish strongly over the last 400m, the perfect recipe for Slipper success. DAME GISELLE, AWAY GAME, MINHAAJ, SEE YOU SOON and HUNGRY HEART rate behind the best colts in that order but they have favourable barriers to give them every chance and are must includes for the exotics. MAMARAGAN and PERSONAL next in line.
CHRIS SCHOLTZ SELECTS: HANSEATIC 1; Farnan 2; Dame Giselle 3; Tagaloa 4.
THE PLAY: Could be a big result for the Godolphin team. The race sets up perfectly for a strong mare like SAVATIANO. Getting back to this trip from a good gate with Ollie on board makes her a worthy gamble. DEPRIVE rates highly but the question is whether he can perform at his best away from Randwick where he excels. Race speed and map sets up well for I AM EXCITED with a 7.5kg drop in weight from her last start while COSMIC FORCE is also right in the mix with no weight under favourable conditions. SOOTHING and TOFANE go in the exotics for added value. PIERATA brings the class but sticky gate and big weight first-up not ideal. Happy to risk FASIKA and ANAHEED from difficult barriers.
CHRIS SCHOLTZ SELECTS: SAVATIANO 1; I Am Excited 2; Cosmic Force 3; Pierata 4.
RACE 9 – BIRTHDAY CARD STAKES (1200m)
THE PLAY: With so many chances the opportunity is there for a big exotic dividend. Really liked the first-up effort of ANJANA in Melbourne and her overall form is good enough for this company. Likewise BANGKOK can only be fitter for her unlucky first-up effort and YAMAZAKI is one of several who will be charging late. Happy to include RESIN, INVICTUS SLATE and SO TAKEN in wide exotics - but you can go as wide as you like!
CHRIS SCHOLTZ SELECTS: ANJANA 1; Bangkok 2; Yamazaki 3; Resin 4.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – March 20-22
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Dawn Passage (R1); Best Of Days (R5); Super Seth (R5); Hanseatic (R7); Personal (R7); Pierata (R8); Madam Rouge (R8); Anaheed (R8); Pretty In Pink (R8)
HANSEATIC (Randwick March 12): No doubt he will be a big player in the Golden Slipper after this trial win. Handled the clockwise way of going with ease to win his 1045m heat after tracking very wide. Time wasn't flash (64.23; 35.40) but showed his class to respond with a sharp turn of foot in the soft ground at the 200m.
ANAHEED (Randwick March 12): Scooted through her favoured soft conditions to record the fastest time of the 1045m heats (62.55; 34.00), travelling easily outside the lead before asserting herself to score a soft three lengths win. She's in the right form to perform well over the carnival.
PIERATA (Warwick Farm March 5): Greg Hickman is tightening the screws with his gun sprinter put into his 807m heat from the start in contrast to his earlier trial at Randwick on February 17 when he went around at the back of the field for untested exercise. He couldn't be faulted with a strong showing in the heavy conditions, recording an acceptable 48.14 with his last 600m in 34.05 the fastest of the session. The good mares PRETTY IN PINK and MADAM ROUGE put in eye catching efforts behind him.
MUSWELLBROOK SUNDAY: Bobbing (R7)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Nowyunome; Star Of The Seas; McCormack; Chianti; Phoenician Queen; Fast 'N' Forward; Nettoyer; Fasika; Zakat; Top Prospect; Doubtland; Mirra Vision; Hilo; All Time Legend; Oakfield Missile; Mamaragan; Quackerjack; Probabeel.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS March 20-21
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Savacool (R3); Danzdanzdance (R4); Castelvecchio (R6); Warning (R6); The Holy One (R6); Chenier (R6); See You Soon (R7); I Am Excited (R8); Bangkok (R9); Anjana (R9); Miss Exfactor (R9)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Champagne Vega (R1); Star Of Michelin (R7)
MORNINGTON SATURDAY: Done By Me (R2); Harlem (R7)
Blackbook Horses to follow – Selected March 14
(Selected horses be followed at next three starts)
SUPERSTORM: Classy 3YO. Proved he can match it with the best.
SCARLET DREAM: Positive return to form. Will be fitter.
YULON PRINCE: Tried hard. Will be better for the run.
DELECTATION GIRL: Luckless run in the Coolmore Classic.
PHILIZZY: Excellent first-up in difficult conditions.
DISMISSAL: Should find a suitable fillies race.
THE IRONS: One to watch for at Queensland provincials.
IN HIS STRIDE: Suited on a bigger track.
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Indy Car; Con Te Partiro; River Night; Shared Ambition; Zebrowksi; Dawn Dawn; Fifty Stars; Fabulonh; Naval Strike; Oxford Tycoon; Cyber Intervention; Gytrash; Gaulois; Microphone; Impasse; Just Benjamin; Raqeeq; Lord Von Costa; High Bridge; Cellsabeel; Boomtown Rat; Primitivo; Invincibella; Chat; Probabeel.
