3 minute read
A Heavy 9 track at Rosehill faces punters on Saturday with the first kicking off with a full field in the TAB Highway Handicap.
Fortunately we had a bit of luck last weekend with both Sesar and Southern Lad getting the chocolates, can't say I'm as confident tomorrow, but hopefully we can still jag a few.
The Kris Lees trained Itz Lily shapes as the best bet of the day, on what looks a very tricky program.
She was a very impressive winner at Muswellbrook three back, before being thrown in the deep end two back, when finishing fourth in the Group 2 The Roses [1800m].
A clear ratings spike we did have a question mark over the performance, before she backed it up in a big way at Randwick last start.
Proving too strong late, her performance netted a new career peak and returned good figures in the process.
She relished the true staying test and it should give her the perfect platform to back it up on Saturday.
One of only two 3YOs engaged, she appears very well placed against the older horses and looks to receive a charmed run in transit.
When assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings she only looks to have to hold her form to be winning again, of which I'm confident she can.
The Maher and Eustace trained Azuro proved very game in defeat last start and clearly brings the A1 form to the Stayer's Cup on Saturday.
Formerly trained by Darren Weir, Azuro has been in good form for his new stable and like the fact he has been kept on the fresh side (35 days) — three starts for one win and one minor placing.
While filling the placings just once this time in, he has repeatedly put up form ahead of his rivals (weight adjusted).
He notably finished a narrow second in last year's Sandown Cup (3200m) behind Yogi, form which ties in well with the Winter Cup.
Adding to that the only time we have seen him on a heavy track he finished third behind Shraaoh at Flemington, the current Sydney Cup winner.
He should look to adopt a prominent position early and be in this for a long way.
Simon Dinopoulos' Three Tips For Sky Sports Radio:
Race 4 #7 Itz Lily @ $2.70
Race 5 #5 Azuro @ $5.00
Race 6 - #8 Handle The Truth @ $7.50
