The $2 million Five Diamonds headlines the ten-race program at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, November 11th.
I’ve had a look into the form of every galloper engaged in the meeting, and you can find my complete 2023 Five Diamonds Day Tips below.
Cincotta Chemist Handicap (1800m) – 12:25pm AEDT
Rise To It is chasing a hat-trick at Rosehill on Saturday and looks capable of pulling it off.
The So You Think gelding has actually won three of his last four starts, but his last two, both at Hawkesbury, were particularly smart.
He’s hard fit, and while this is harder, it looks well within his means.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Rise To It
Petaluma Handicap (2400m) – 1pm AEDT
Caboche has improved with each of three runs back from a break and gets a great chance to win at Rosehill on Saturday.
He dusted off the cobwebs at Randwick back in September, and Caboche has since finished fifth in BM88 and second over 1900m here at Rosehill, last time.
I’m keen to see him out to a mile and a half this week, while the booking of Nash Rawiller adds further confidence.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Caboche
Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) – 1:35pm AEDT
Eagle Nest has recorded two wins from as many starts back from a break, and I thought that this looked a great opportunity for her to continue her rise through the grades.
The Shalaa mare hit the line to record a comfortable win out Gosford early last month, and she franked that performance with a dominant win at Randwick-Kensington just last week.
Fitter third-up and under Brett Prebble, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Eagle Nest
Highway Handicap (1400m) – 2:10pm AEDT
Always a wide-open affair are these Highway Handicaps and there is a case to be made for a few of them again this week, including Sumptuary.
Sumptuary has returned some nice performances this time in, winning at Scone when resuming, while he was last seen filling the minors over 1200m at Randwick.
He’s hard-fit and looks ready to strike again.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Sumptuary
Midway Handicap (1200m) – 2:50pm AEDT
Flying Destiny is hard-fit and strikes another winnable race on Five Diamonds Day.
The Michael Freedman-trained galloper won each of his first two starts back from a break, and after a flat effort over 1300m here back two, he hit the line in far more impressive fashion last time.
He’s drawn ideally and something like this doesn’t look beyond him.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Flying Destiny
Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) – 3:30pm AEDT
Group 1 winner Royal Merchant steps out this week third-up and ready to do something in the Hot Danish Stakes.
The Merchant Navy mare went to another level last time in, recording consecutive wins in the Tobin Bronze Stakes and The Goodwood, and while she clearly needed her first run back this time to dust off the cobwebs, she was just two lengths behind the winner in The Invitation last time.
With further improvement, she’s certainly up to this.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Royal Merchant
Inglis Golden Gift (1100m) – 4:10pm AEDT
Shangri La Express won on debut in the Kirkham Plate a couple of weeks ago, and he can continue his rise through the grades in the Golden Gift.
The Alabama Express colt showed some promise at the trials prior to debuting and blew them away at his first start.
I’m only expecting improvement for that experience, and he can fight out the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Shangri La Express
Five Diamonds (1800m) – 4:50pm AEDT
This is arguably the strongest edition of the Five Diamonds since its inception, and there is a case to be made for a few of them, including Antino.
Antino was excellent up in Queensland during his first couple of preparations, and he hasn’t disappointed during this year’s Spring Carnival either, winning the Sandown Stakes most notably, while only just missing in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap and the Crystal Mile at his latest appearances.
He’s hard fit, I’m keen to see him out to 1800m at this point of his preparation, and he should receive every chance under Sam Clipperton.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Antino
Ranvet Handicap (1400m) – 5:25pm AEDT
I’m confident that Atmosphere is ready to win at Rosehill on Five Diamonds Day.
Atmosphere clearly required his first run back when well beaten by Kibou back in September, but he was freshened, and returned a far smarter performance in BM78 company at Randwick.
With further improvement this week, something like this looks well within his wheelhouse.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Atmosphere
Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1200m) – 6:05pm AEDT
With Your Blessing is the one for me in the last on Five Diamonds Day.
With Your Blessing was a consistent performer last year, picking off a couple of races not dissimilar to this one and finding form around some classy opposition.
He hit the line to finish third, beaten less than a length at Randwick in his first run back from a break, and natural improvement will see him right into the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 With Your Blessing
