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Chris Scholtz previews the Expressway Stakes meeting at Rosehill with best bets and selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
ROSEHILL January 29
RACE 3 (1) EBHAAR: No doubt this I Am Invincible filly is in the top bracket of 2YOs produced so far this season. The Snowden stable showed plenty of confidence to send her south after a classy Sydney trial win for her debut over 1000m at Caulfield on November 27 where she showed speed and tenacity to beat the colts in a high rating Merson Cooper Stakes. Back home she cruised through her gears under no pressure to win a 792m trial at Warwick Farm on January 20 in the fastest time of the morning with plenty in reserve. Carries a weight penalty with the return to her own sex but she rates as the filly to beat from a soft draw.
RACE 8 (4) YIYI: All the factors line up for this super consistent 4YO who has been out of the first three only twice in his last 14 starts! Resumed with an excellent second to stablemate Kingsheir in this class over 1400m at this course three weeks ago (Lackeen fifth) when he hit the line hard in the fastest last 200m sectional of the day giving 6.5kg to the winner, form that was franked at Randwick last Saturday. Gets a big weight shift in his favour this time and is certain to have the last run at them with James McDonald stalking the pace from the rails draw.
RACE 10 (14) NARVAEZ: Top stable throws out the right lead by selecting this race for the dual acceptor. They also made the right move switching him to Sydney for this suitable 1400m event after an excellent first-up third under 60kg over the same trip at Flemington when he faced the breeze three wide for the trip and refused to shirk it over the last 400m under 60kg. Well placed with 4kg less, maps to get an easy lead with the rail out 6 metres and sure to get a lot of favours with master front running rider Tim Clark on board.
Selections
RACE 1: 19-5-2-14
RACE 2: 4-6-3-2
RACE 3: 1-2-5-4
RACE 4: 2-4-3-5
RACE 5: 4-12-9-10
RACE 6: 1-2-7-5
RACE 7: 4-6-7-1
RACE 8: 4-5-6-7
RACE 9: 9-6-4-5
RACE 10: 14-6-7-2
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Great Barrier Reef (R2); Rakomelo (R2); Ebhaar (R3); Mumbai Jewel (R3); Ojai (R3); Anamoe (R7); Forbidden Love (R7); Tiger Of Malay (R7)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Starry Jack (R1); Caribbean Stud (R2); Sinba (R8)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Sandpaper; California Surreal; Trendy Lass; Dajraan; Mars Mission; Shades Of Rose; Amortal; Plymstock; Pomade; Silent Impact; Chief Conductor; Pole Position; Eleven Eleven; Warmth; Broken Arrows; Stick To Your Guns; Moonshine Lady; Nikohli Beagle.
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM January 20: EBHAAR, winner over the colts in the Merson Cooper Stakes at Caulfield in her spring debut, is going to bring the Magic Millions winner Coolangatta down to earth if and when they meet in the autumn. She was the star of three high class 2YO trials, cruising in the lead and never off the bit to easily maintain her advantage to the line in the fastest of the three heats over 792mm (47.18; 33.77). MUMBAI JEWEL, another very talented filly, was an impressive second. Another 2YO heat was won by the unraced STARRY JACK (47.75; 34.45). This was his first win in four trials but he stamped himself as a runner ready to compete on debut after working well within himself to beat some well performed rivals.
ROSEHILL January 17: FORBIDDEN LOVE commanded attention with her impressive work to finish within a length of the winner NATURE STRIP. They cruised away from a pack of five chasers over the last 400m, leaving STANDOFF to finish third five lengths away. Most eyes in the other 900m heat for Group horses was on Godolphin's G1 winner ANAMOE. He worked as expected under Rachel King, going back to last before peeling widest to work smoothly to the line under no pressure for a strong fourth, about 4.5 lengths from the winner.
WARWICK FARM December 30: In the 2YO heats over 818m the racy winner MUMBAI JEWEL (48.84; 34.40), a $575,000 yearling, is another smart runner for champion sire I Am Invincible.
CANTERBURY November 30: I Am Invincible colt GREAT BARRIER REEF, a $1.4 million yearling, worked to the line strongly for a strong win in his heat but didn't put the time on the clock (58.51; 36.85). Suspect he will be open to a plenty of natural improvement. He again took the eye when given an easy time in a 902m trial at Rosehill on January 17.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – January 29
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: So Wicked (R6); Belluci Babe (R7); Overpass (R7); Yiyi (R8); Tamerlane (R9); Van Giz (R10)
SUNSHINE COAST SATURDAY: Stormy Rock (R2); Profit (R7); The Harrovian (R8)
MOONEE VALLEY SATURDAY: Toff Choice (R6); Wild Planet (R7)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Toomuchtobear; Zoukina; Vespertine; Casino Kid; Mass Destruction; Dzsenifer; Coventina Bay; Five Kingdom; El Padrino; Totally Charmed; Brookspire; Bacchanalia; Our Heidi; Born A King; Mr Cancun; Ligulate; Spirit Of Gaylard.
Blackbookers – Selected January 22
(Follow for next 3 starts)
GOGOL: Excellent placing second up. Likes the Gold Coast.
MR BOND: Nice improvement. Recent racing has him ready.
SO WICKED: Can pick up a suitable middle distance affair.
WILD CALM: Talented filly. Will win races.
YUKON: Obvious improver with more racing.
ZIEGFELD: Solid first-up effort. Sure to benefit.
