Mitch Cohen's Blackbook: Five to follow from Rosehill Gardens
FIVE TO FOLLOW
MONKHANA (2nd, race 2)
Denim Wynen got her first city winner with Sunshine Law but would have been rapt with the return of this mare. She will get better over more ground as she gets deeper into the preparation.
WITHOUT PARALLEL (1st, race 3)
It was only a win in Highway grade but very few horses can lay claim to winning the first four starts of their career. She could be a chance for a Kosciuszko slot if she continues in the same vein.
GRAND PRAIRIE (2nd, race 5)
A rock-hard fit Stardeel on the back-up proved too hard to overcome but this lightly-raced colt battled on OK in ground that didn't seem to suit. He's learning his craft but looks to have some ability.
JUJA KIBO (1st, race 7)
This Irish import found another gear late to mow down Captain Maverick and score back-to-back victories. He's still only lightly-raced but looks a stayer of stakes quality.
CAPTAIN FURAI (2nd, race 8)
Ran into one of the better wet trackers in Elson Boy but still did more than enough in his return. He can take advantage of the softer winter tracks and win next start.
STEWARDS SAY
Dumebi (race 2): Lost its off-hind plate in running.
Sister Daae (race 4): Raced in restricted room between Sunshine Law and Super Norwest, which shifted in. Was unable to be fully tested over the final 150m.
Captain Maverick (race 7): The gelding was found to have a laceration to the off-hind medial pastern.
Yoshinobu (race 9): Zac Lloyd reported the gelding was never properly balanced on the heavy track and did not handle the conditions.
First Person (race 10): A post-race veterinary examination found the mare to have a cardiac murmour. She will require vets clearance and an ecocardiograph before racing again.
CRUNCH TIME
Amusing (race 1): Jockey James McDonald stuck to the inside as this Godolphin mare got home with a last 600m of 36.32 seconds. She saved the best to last with her final 200m of 12.24 a clear best.
Without Parallel (race 3): Tucked in just behind the leader, she rattled off a clear race best 36.39 seconds to win comfortably. Her splits home of 11.90 and 12.42 helped her score in dominant fashion.
Juja Kibo (race 7): Ran the same final 600m of 37.30 seconds as runner-up Captain Maverick but it was all about his superior last 200m, clocking 12.38 late to prevail.
Ravenclaw (race 10): Did it at both ends with race best splits to start and finish the last. He led them up before finishing off in 35.53 seconds for his last 600m, including a 11.48 split between the 400m and 200m.
TRACK TALK
'It's great for Australian racing and to be one of the nine or 10 trainers to be chosen to train for them is an honour to be considered good enough to train for them.' Chris Waller after Godolphin mare Amusing's win.
'It always sucks going back to zero, especially after such a long season like it was but it's good to make the perfect start and here we go again.' Premiership winner James McDonald after his first win of the season.
'I only have six in work, I do all the work myself, literally seven days morning and afternoon.' Denim Wynen following her first Sydney winner.
'Horses can go from Highway races to The Kosciuszko but they need to win like she did.' Matt Dunn on Without Parallel.
'It's always important to kick off the season with a winner and while it's not all about strike rate, we are currently at 100 per cent.' Bjorn Baker after Stardeel's win.
THIS WEEK IN NSW RACING
Monday: Wagga Riverside, Taree
Tuesday: Gunnedah, Moruya
Wednesday: Canterbury Park
Thursday: Kembla Grange, Quirindi
Friday: Port Macquarie, Canberra
Saturday: Royal Randwick, Newcastle, Casino, Louth
Sunday: Dubbo, Wagga
RON DUFFICY'S ROSEHILL GARDENS BLACKBOOK
RUN OF THE DAY
It was hard not to be impressed by the unbeaten mare from Murwillumbah Without Parallel.
She may lack experience but seems to have a great attitude and a lovely racing style and plenty of raw ability to go with it.
FORGET THEY RAN
War Eternal seemed to lose his footing approaching the home turn losing his stride and took a while to get his confidence back running on well. He might have got a whole lot closer if that didn't happen.
THE BLACK BOOK
Outside of Without Parallel which has upside to come it was hard not to be impressed by the win of up and coming stayer Juja Kibo.
He lost momentum at a vital stage and did a fantastic job to pick himself up to win after looking beaten.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Anna Roper was unlucky to have a season of injury but started the new one off with a bang with a winning double.
She is a very talented rider on the rise.
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