Race-by-race tips and previews for Saturday's meeting at Randwick
5. Agarwood could not have been any more impressive on debut at Warwick Farm. It was a win that ticked every box. The daughter of Wooton Bassett jumped on terms, but once she was cleared, she was happy to settle in behind the speed. She dropped her head and when asked to quicken put a margin on her rivals. What also stands out is that she clocked a time half a second quicker than the colts and gelding's 1000m race at the same meeting. That was won by 2. Regulated Affair. Her time was even quicker, marginally, than the BM72 won by Pokerjack. Two-year-olds running a faster time than the older horses is a big tick. How she handles the jump straight out to 1200m on a heavy track is the punt. 3. Sequista has been scratched several times since she tackled the Percy Sykes. That leaves her to tackle Saturday's race six weeks between runs. She came from well back to run third on debut behind Within The Law before finishing two lengths away from Tempted, arguably the season's best two-year-old.
How to play it: Agarwood to win.
Race 2 – 11.35AM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
9. First Mission returned as a gelding at Canterbury over 1200m and landed confident late bets to win like a horse that should go through his grades. This Midway looks a perfect stepping stone out to 1400m. He still isn't the finished article, but the operation looks to have him on the right path given the way he executed three weeks ago. It's no easy task winning in any grade first up on a heavy track and that's what this three-year-old achieved. He had only one official trial prior, too. Zac Wadick takes the ride on Saturday, and the son of Snitzel will carry 53.5kg. 14. Bend The Knee made up late ground to run third at the midweeks last start. The run was better than the form guide reads. It wasn't easy work for backmarkers at that meeting. The wetter the better for the six-year-old given how he won at Wyong on a heavy 10 two back. 15. Oui Oui Oui is another untapped three-year-old. Was deep ended in the Hawkesbury Guineas where he was only beaten four lengths.
How to play it: First Mission to win.
Race 3 – 12.10PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
If a dry track awaited, you'd be happy to take the short odds about 2. So You Pence. The lightly raced five-year-old is making up for lost time having spent over two years on the sidelines before this campaign. She raced like she needed it first up. Since then, she had recorded two wins by a combined margin of 10 lengths. She was sent around $1.35 at Goulburn, winning by near seven lengths before starting a similar price at Wagga. Has good tactical speed, race sense and a turn of foot. The unknown on Saturday is how the daughter of So You Think handles a heavy track. She has only raced on good tracks. If Matt Dale is happy to run, that might be a push in itself. 1. My Last Hooray has improved with each run this time back. Has a heavy-track win already to his name, albeit in easier grade. He overachieved relative to his starting price at Warwick Farm last start in BM72 company. After settling out the back he made late ground behind Secure.
How to play it: So You Pence to win.
Race 4 – 12.45PM CHALOUHI HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
5. Hurstville Zagreb was eight weeks between runs when resuming at Gosford. The O'Shea and Charlton-trained galloper had to be stoked up early but kept finding the line to go down in a photo finish. A dropped whip in the straight may have proved costly. The progression out to 1800m looks perfect now as he lopes towards the Queensland Derby. The son of Divine Prophet is an imposing three-year-old. He just needs time to wind up. The Randwick expanses and a heavy track should at least ensure he isn't outsprinted. He won on a heavy track at Goulburn in maiden grade and looked very comfortable in the going. 4. Duvana had excuses through that same race at Gosford last start, yet was still beaten less than a length. He didn't get the chance to build into the race. Gosford is a momentum track. He had to make his run underneath the field, too. That was inferior ground in the straight. Duvana also has a heavy-track win to his name. 9. Sisu Spirit wasn't given much early peace at Wyong last start but kept running through the line to win well.
How to play it: Hurstville Zagreb to win.
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The Australian
7 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
7 days ago
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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. 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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. 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News.com.au
14-08-2025
- News.com.au
‘He can win on Saturday': Trains Jim and Greg Lee expect Convergent to bounce back at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday
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. '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.'' Convergent wins on debut for Jim & Greg Lee with @Reganbayliss in the saddle ðŸ'° @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 25, 2025 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. '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.''
