Race-by-race preview and tips for Saturday meeting at Rosehill Gardens
This looks like a race up for grabs and 6. Alphard did more than enough on debut at Canterbury, without any luck at all, to say he has some ability. Travelled well into the straight, then ran into a brick wall, had to stop and lose all momentum before closing off again to hold forth. Could face a similar problem from barrier one and would like to see some support for him, but a good each-way chance. 10. Sapling was far too good, leading all the way to win a Wyong maiden as favourite after being narrowly denied the start before. Back to 1200m, but imagine she goes forward and gets her chance to step up. 11. Spice Prawn has some ability despite being unplaced in both runs in her first preparation. Both trials have been sound, and if she lines up from the wide gate, it says the stable thinks she's a winning chance. 5. Without Peer is an interesting first starter, and he'd be one to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Alphard EACH-WAY
Race 2 - 11.50am: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
11. Pretty Tavi is ready to win one of these races, and she might have come across the right set-up for her with a soft draw and a reasonably good track. Found a spot a bit too far off the pace under the circumstances there first-up, loomed like she might sprint past them, then flattened out beaten under a length. 2. Denman Star appreciated a fast run race and was able to sweep down the outside to win first-up at Canterbury, with the runner-up a subsequent winner. Interesting to see if he can make use of a better gate and be that length or two closer. 6. Harry's Bar was sent out favourite in that event at Canterbury and perhaps a shade disappointing in running fourth, though not beaten far. 1. Rolling Magic was advantaged by landing on the back of the speed when winning the Midway at Rosehill four weeks ago. Stays at 1300m and draws out, so that has to be a concern.
How to play it: Pretty Tavi EACH-WAY
Race 3 - 12.25pm: TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1100m)
2. Highway Strip has a significant gear change that hopefully means he's on track to live up to the potential he's shown to date. That's the concussion plates coming off, meaning his feet are in good order and the niggles he was reported to be battling are in the past. With that in mind, to get as close as he did to Clear Thinking after drawing near the outside in his last run back in January speaks to his ability. Trials have been good, he's drawn well, and he has to be the horse to beat. 1. First Landing faces a task from the wide gate with 61.5kg (weight less of an issue with Aaron Bullock riding), but he brings some strong form into the race, having chased Storm The Ramparts home in Benchmark 78 grade two weeks ago. Any luck, and he's a major threat. 9. Pony Soprano hasn't raced since finishing midfield in the Country Championships at Port Macquarie in February. Recent trial winner and worth keeping an eye on. 13. Cool Storm has had a stable change since failing in two runs last time in. Go back to her previous prep, and she placed in two handy Highways. On that form, she's far from out of it.
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News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
Wyong race day tips, inside mail and preview for Sunday, August 17, 2025
Trainer Lee Curtis is eager for the return of their stable star Bauhinia and he's looking to add some black type to her resume in the near future. The four-year-old daughter of Hellbent already has a feature-race win at Wyong having taken out the Wyong Magic Millions Stakes in December last year. Curtis, who trains in partnership with his wife Cherie, said the stable have their eye firmly on another local feature with Wyong's $200,000 Mona Lisa Stakes later this month circled on the calendar. The duo are hoping her preparation gets off to a flyer when she resumes at Wyong on Sunday in the Mona Lisa Stakes Prelude Plate over 1200m. 'She's certainly come back bigger and stronger as a four-year-old mare and it's exciting to have her back and at the races,' Curtis said. 'Nothing went right for her up on the Gold Coast but she's had a nice spell and it's done her a world of good. 'Her two trials have been good. Jeff (Penza) rode her in the first one and he's aboard on race day. 'Both her first-up runs have been good and she obviously won when resuming last time in so hopefully it's the same on Sunday.' With Penza in the saddle, Bauhinia has drawn a perfect gate in barrier three of the seven horse field. Almost every horse in the field will have an advantage of race fitness over Bauhinia but Curtis is hoping her class can shine through. The likes of Regimental Colours, Dollar Magic and Lulumon have been up and running throughout the winter period while Countyourblessings returns off a let up from the Brisbane carnival. 'The market says she's the horse to beat but the field has come up pretty strong,' Curtis said. 'A lot of those mares have form throughout the off season period and will be looking to catch us first-up. 'But hopefully she shows her class and with the improvement we expect from her, hopefully she gets it done.' Bookmakers posted Bauhinia as the $2 favourite to make her return to racing as a winner. A few races later will see Still Alice also make her return to racing in the Mounties Group Benchmark 64 over 1100m. A full sister to the Curtis' former stakes winner Meryl, Still Alice took a bit of time to mature but went to another level during her most recent preparation. The stable had Meryl up and early as a two-year-old having run in the Gimcrack Stakes on debut before returning in the summer to win the BJ McLachlan Stakes and contest the 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic. 'She's a full sister to Meryl and Meryl was up as an early two-year-old and won a BJ McLachlan,' Curtis said. 'This girl is a bit different because she took but I liked the way she returned going into last preparation and I've got similar thoughts now. 'I think she was just a very immature girl early on but she's going super now and you're seeing that in her performances on race day. 'She won first-up over this track and distance last time in so hopefully she can do the same this time around.' Bookies posted Still Alice as a double-figure chance to return as a winner with Peter Snowden's debut winner Johnny heading the market as a $3.50 favourite. â– â– â– â– â– WYONG TIPS BEST BET Race 7 No.9: ROYAL SUPREMACY The best placed horse I've seen for a long time. Only bad luck can beat him. NEXT BEST Race 4 No.5: BAUHINIA Talented mare that is stakes class. Winner at the track and should be able to chalk up another here on her way to the Mona Lisa. VALUE BET Race 6 No.10: STILL ALICE A winner first-up over the same track and trip last time in and judging by her trials, she's returned even better. JOCKEY TO FOLLOW BRAITH NOCK has a super book of rides across the card, highlighted by Royal Supremacy in the last. QUADDIE Race 4: 5 Race 5: 1, 3, 5 Race 6: 2, 10, 11, 14 Race 7: 9 WYONG INSIDE MAIL RACE 1: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m) ZELJKO (3) enjoyed the heavy conditions last time out at Kembla Grange and maps to get a super run in transit. Throughout five career starts, he's never missed a place and looks likely to continue that trend here. NKOSI (1) adds plenty of intrigue into this race as a former Kiwi that's won over the staying trips. Has had two good trials and while he's likely to improve for the run, I think he's got a bit of class. TESSY TEE (5) next best. BET: ZELJKO to win. RACE 2: 4YO&UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m) KARMARDO (2) comes out of a strong race at Kembla. Sat up on the speed before tiring and finishing in a midfield position. Drawn out wide but has the speed to cross and lead and with the fitness benefit, he can break through for a maiden victory. CHILLI CRAB (3) looks to be the only conceivable danger. Two strong trials ahead of his return has him primed for a forward showing. BET: KARMADO to win. RACE 3: 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1200m) ARTISTIC VENTURE (9) returns off two strong trials. Finished third in the Inglis Millennium earlier this year and a repeat of that will see her win this by a long way. Just needs luck from barrier 12. THE MAGIC MAN (6) hasn't won in seven starts but has run some ripping races. Had no luck last time out at Rosehill when trapped wide without cover but should get every chance here from barrier one. BET: ARTISTIC VENTURE to win. BAUHINA's (5) best career performance came at this track and trip when taking out the Magic Millions Wyong Stakes earlier this year. Had excuses at her next subsequent start on the Gold Coast. Has been prepared for this with two trials and is drawn well in gate three. COUNTYOURBLESSINGS (1) gets here off a freshen up after running second to Kin in the Gai Waterhouse Classic. Gives them all weight but has class. DOLLAR MAGIC (3) is a prolific placegetter. Hasn't won in a while but continues to race well. BET: BAUHINIA to win. RACE 5: MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m) FLYING ORCHID (3) looks to be a horse of some promise following a dominant win on debut at Newcastle. Has had a short spell since and resumes off a few trials. FLYING ARGYLE (1) is steadily improving with each run. Has the top weight to carry but should be at his peak fourth-up into the campaign. BET: FLYING ORCHID to win. RACE 6: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m) STILL ALICE (10) has turned in two strong trials ahead of her return. Shaped up in some strong races last time in. Two for three at the track and also a strong first-up performer. HYDROMETER (1) bled last time out so you can forgive him of the effort. Has looked sharp at the trials ahead of his return and is also a winner around Wyong. SHIRVINGTON (2) won two for three last campaign and resumes off two trials. Has a big win at this track and distance and that came first-up from a spell. BET: STILL ALICE each-way. ROYAL SUPREMACY (9) is a weighted certainty. Perfectly placed here in a Class 6 as a horse with a rating of 94 following his last start victory at Randwick. Maps to get a good run from barrier three with Braith Nock in the saddle. AGE OF SAIL (4) is first-up off a Sydney Cup preparation. Should only improve for the run but he's got a bit of class about him. EL JASOR (5) was solid first-up from a break at Randwick when running on behind Travolta. Likely to be back and running on late.
The Australian
5 days ago
- The Australian
Trainers Jim and Greg Lee saddle up Convergent at Rosehill
Trainer Greg Lee is expecting Convergent to rebound immediately from a disappointing last-start effort when he contests the Midway Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Convergent was in the market when resuming in similar class in very heavy conditions two weeks ago and ran only seventh to Cold Brew. This was an out-of-character run from Convergent who had won impressively on debut at Kensington on Anzac Day then ran second at Randwick at his only other race starts. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I think he can win on Saturday but I will be even more confident when he gets to 1800m in two weeks,'' Lee, who trains in partnership with his brother Jim, said. 'At his first-up run, he got a bit then was almost knocked down but he wasn't travelling at the time. 'When something like that happens, nine times out of 10 horses don't pick up and finish off like he did. 'But he got going again and through the line he was as good as the winner.'' • Rosehill Turf Talk: Cohen keen on $5 best bet as O'Cass spruiks $17 pop Lee said Convergent had thrived since his Rosehill loss, declaring: 'I am that happy with him, it's unbelievable.'' 'He's come through that run so well and he's working better than ever. 'Maybe the edge has gone off him a little on the sprint side of things but I still think he can win on Saturday. 'Then the plan is to get him out to 1800m next start and he will be even better again.'' Lee provided an update on the stable's talented young sprinter, Glorious Moments, a brilliant winner at Canterbury and Randwick in his only two starts this winter. • Shayne O'Cass's race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill Garfdens on Saturday 'Unfortunately, he came down with colic and I've had to turn him out,'' Lee said. 'But he's a very good young horse, he will be back as good as gold. All going well, we might look to run him again later in the spring.''
The Australian
5 days ago
- The Australian
Shayne O'Cass's Rosehill tips: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Form analyst Shayne O'Cass runs his expert eye over the 10-race card at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 1: Midway Benchmark 72 (1500m) CONVERGENT (8) was a strange run here two weeks ago insofar as he didn't look at all comfortable on the Heavy 10 but he picked up late and got going again when it was all over. It will be nowhere near as bad this time. Keep the faith. John Sargent knows how to win a Midway and VETWELVE (7) is having a second crack at one after a really easy win beating a subsequent easy winner at Kembla. PRETTY TAVI (12) is pretty reliable. MONKHANA (10) has come back well; 1 500m at home, second-up, ticks boxes. BET: CONVERGENT (8) each-way. RACE 2: Class 3 Handicap (1300m) SHIPSHAPE (9), a grandson of 5-times Group 1 winner Divine Madonna, has raced in five Highways all up, the last two were both 'closing' fifths here at Rosehill Ran OK at Forbes in a Benchmark 82 on Cup day. Has some each-way appeal at the odds. POWDER MAN (4) has been unlucky in his two winter Highways. Tommy Berry sticking from that last (enormous) one here on July 5. LIGHT INFANTRY (7) ran against a Koscisuskzo horse in his August 2 Highway! BET: SHIPSHAPE (9) each-way, box quinella 4,7,9,17. RACE 3: 3yo Benchmark 72 (1300m) For what it is worth, I have REFLECT (10) pegged as a future Guineas, even Oaks filly. She is by So You Think out of a granddaughter of NZ 2000 Guineas winner Foxwood. Fourth dam is the mother of Gurner's Lane and Sovereign Red. By the way, that fourth dam is Taiona and she is also the fourth dam of Mr Brightside and Ka Ying Rising! Wow. NINJA (4) was an 11-lengths winner in a 4-horse Maiden at Kembla. Got that little touch of class about him this one. KARINSKA (3) and WITHOUT PEER (2) will have admirers for good reason. BET: REFLECT (10) to win (best bet). RACE 4: Fillies & Mares Benchmark 78 (1400m) This is the clash of the Peter Snowden stablemates that didn't happen the first time; I speak of course of TUILERIES (8) versus AMREEKIYAH (9). You could make the case for either one. I could be horribly wrong in my assessment but I have Tuileries ahead of Amreekiyah only because I have suspicion Tuileries is the safer option at 1400m. It's not a two-horse race by any means. I kept coming back to SUNSHINE LAW (7) and asking, why can't she do it again? The answer, yes she can. BET: TUILERIES (8) to win. RACE 5: Listed The Rosebud (3yo, 1100m) SKYHOOK (1) was right up there with the very top 2YO colts last year, not just colts either, given he started $7.50 in the Golden Slipper. It is true sometimes good 2YOs don't make good 3YOs but I can't see how a Written Tycoon (replica) out of such a great family as his, won't train on. He trialled like he's ready and able to take up from where he left off. Speaking of trials; if you bet only on what we saw at the trials, PALLATON (5) would be a $1.50 shot! He will have fans but it will be interesting to see how many have been burnt before line-up again. Big respect for BLITZBURG (2). BET: SKYHOOK (1) to win, exacta 1 to beat 5. RACE 6: Benchmark 78 (1900m) KAPAKIRI (17), the son of Gosford Gold Cup winner Oriental Lady, was $17 to $21 first-up in a 1400m race on the Kensington track on July 16 but ran more like a big firmer than a bit drifter. Keep in mind that his wins are from 1800m up to 2400m so he is within his strike-distance. His new (Godolphin) stablemate AMUSING (14) is on a hat-trick. She is 2 from 3 at Rosehill and is bred for 2000m and more. HASTY HONEY (4) is '112' which is the good news; the bad news is the draw (potentially). BET: KAPAKIRI (17) each-way. RACE 7: Open Handicap (1400m) Been a big fan and admirer of OUR GOLD HOPE (6) since her awesome debut win at Kembla. By the end of the 2023/24 season, she was a Group 1 runner-up in the Queensland Oaks. Her 4YO season was full of highlights – and some bad luck too. Trials are good. A good judge once decreed that backing horses first-up over 1400m off a 3200m Cup run was a good system (and it is). Say hello to BIRDMAN (4) here who has plenty of residual fitness from his Manion, Chairman's and Sydney Cup autumn finale. PALMETTO (3) has been trialling the house down. BET: OUR GOLD HOPE (6) each-way. RACE 8: Colts, Horses & Geldings Benchmark 78 (1400m) BATTLETON (3) is way, way too good a horse to be 50/1, let alone $12 the place. Granted he is '0085' this preparation but he has been coming through some really strong races and as often the case, his pattern (and sometimes bad luck) has conspired against him. One proviso; Soft and not Heavy on Saturday. DENMAN STAR (12) probably couldn't have won without a good draw and a pull in the weights; well, he gets both on the weekend with box four and 55.5kg. CAPTAIN FURAI (10) has the right numbers. BROSNAN (7) is no good first-up but is good – period. BET: BATTLETON (3) each-way, (the Bjorn) Daily Double 1st Leg 3, 2nd Leg 3. RACE 9: Benchmark 78 (1100m) When Sheikh Mohammed was divvying out the string, I bet a lot of trainers were hoping they would pick up POLYGLOT (7). Michael Freedman was the 'winner', this will be the grandson of Forensics' first run under new management but the same jockey, more or less – James McDonald is 2 rides, one win, one second plus a stunning trial win here on July 29. Nepotism's half brother and Black Caviar's nephew THEBLADE (14) is a gifted horse. He's drawn better than Polyglot and he's got less weight too. BET: POLYGLOT (7) to win, quinella 7,14, box trifecta 1,4,7,14. RACE 10: Benchmark 94 (1200m) This an old fashioned Get Out Stakes and good on the TAB for the spread of prices but I was shocked to see DISNECK (3) at $18 on Wednesday and that is even before we know what he will SP. Put on a good speed and given this horse a clear and unimpeded run at them on a fair track and he can tip them all out. Ditto a lot for BAUHINIA (17) who will be a lot higher rated mare than a 78 by the end of the spring. GERIATRIX (7) was underwhelming in his two summer runs for Chris Waller but expect a lot better from him, starting here and now. BET: DISNECK (3) each-way.
