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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Expressway Stakes meeting at Rosehill on January 30 with Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
ROSEHILL January 30
RACE 1 (1) Al Mah Haha
RACE 5: (6) Marsannay
RACE 6: (12) Bluff 'N' Bluster (Value)
RACE 7: (6) Flit (EW)
RACE 8: (11) Above And Beyond (EW)
RACE 1: 1-9-4-12
RACE 2: 2-1-8-3
RACE 3: 9-8-4-1
RACE 4: 8-1-3-4
RACE 5: 6-4-9-11
RACE 6: 12-5-6-9
RACE 7: 6-5-2-7
RACE 8: 11-3-5-10
RACE 9: 3-5-11-1
ROSEHILL MULTI
RACE 5 (6) MARSANNAY: Nothing in this field has recent form to match the quality around this improving Snitzel colt. Wide gates have cost him in his two starts on soft and heavy tracks since resuming, following a first-up third in the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) behind Forbidden Love and The Face with a third behind stablemate Yao Dash in the $250,000 Magic Millions Rising Stars (1300m) at the Gold Coast after a three wide run. Last prep he won his first 1400m attempt by 6.5 lengths on a heavy surface before a G3 placing in the Up And Coming Stakes over 1300m at Randwick behind the classy North Pacific. The prospect of an affected track only adds to his prospects, especially if his go forward rider Tim Clark can dictate the pace.
RACE 6 (12) BLUFF 'N' BLUSTER: It was no surprise to see him firm quickly from his early generous odds as he is well placed to maintain the strong progress he has displayed in recent starts. He charged late to record his third career win over 1400m on a soft track at Randwick then went a month before his eye catching last start over 1300m at this course on January 16 when he only got going late to finish 2.25 lengths from the winner Tycoonist. The pace was against him last time but he still posted the best closing sectionals, an effort that points to him having strong claims here as he return to 1400m with a handy 3kg drop in weight.
RACE 8 (11) ABOVE AND BEYOND: There was plenty of merit in his strong last start win in a BM78 over this course and distance two weeks ago when his dominant final 200m made up for some luckless efforts over the last 12 months. He rises to a BM88 but he's down 2kg to the limit weight of 52kg and from a perfect draw he is well placed to make life difficult for his higher weighted rivals.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
Noted Trial Runners – January 22-26
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Total Babe (R2); Zentime (R2); Readily Availabull (R3); Giannis (R3); Home Affairs (R3); Kolding (R7); Star Of The Seas (R7); Mizzy (R7); Emeralds (R7); Southern Lad (R9)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Artic (R2); Stonehenge (R2); Vucetich (R2); Flash Panther (R4); Blesk (R6)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Silent Tryst; French Bonnet; Marway; Jenga; Oasis King; Harlem Luya; Bullet Rider; Eight Diamonds; Tilianam; Delexo; Newsreader; Head On Up; Tailleur; Remarque; Rocketing By; Stolen Jade; Estrado.
TRIAL POINTERS
RANDWICK January 21: MIZZY led easily to win a course proper trial for the Group horses over 900m (53.36; 34.64). She has now won two trials in great style and it's obvious she has been trained up to run boldly first-up.
GOSFORD January 19: John Sargent would have been delighted the way his classy Group winner EMERALDS ran home strongly from the rear for second in another 1000m heat (60.40; 35.74).
ROSEHILL January 15: The star of the five 2YO heats was HOME AFFAIRS, an unraced I Am Invincible colt from the Chris Waller stable. His dominant two lengths win in the fastest of the five 900m heats (53.43; 34.13) ensures he will be given high respect when he debuts.
RANDWICK January 7: MIZZY was too sharp for her rivals in her 740m heat, leading easily and doing it in style for a soft 1.3 lengths win in good time (43.72; 33.48). Expect to see her perform well fresh. READILY AVAILABULL worked strongly to the line to win the only 2YO heat over 1045m narrowly from the unraced REMOVALIST, a good type with definite prospects
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Blackbookers – Selected January 23
(Follow for next 3 starts)
EMANATE: Tough run first-up. Sure to benefit.
HEADLINER: Will get better with experience.
IRISH BUTTERFLY: His turn is not far away.
QUACKERJACK: Game effort. Holds his form well.
TRANSLATOR: Good work late. Ready for longer.
Eligible Blackbook Runners – January 29/30
FLEMINGTON FRIDAY: That Girl (R6)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Zethus (R1); Oscar Zulu (R5); Marsannay (R5); Bluff 'n' Bluster (R6); Brutality (R8)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Kazio (R2); Sky Horse (R8)
SUNSHINE COAST SATURDAY: Enterprise Prince (R5); Sambro (R8); Kalik (R9)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: More Prophets; Grinzinger Allee; Bandersnatch; Housay; Viral; Trengganu; Sacramento; Paradee; Bella Tiara; Montepulciano; Sword Of Mercy; New Arrangement; Hard Empire; Ellsberg
