Group racing returns to Rosehill this Saturday afternoon in the form of the Expressway Stakes as we edge closer to the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Our full 2023 Expressway Stakes Day Preview can be found below.
RACE 1 – 12:20 PM AEDT – Highway Handicap (1500m)
These Highway Handicaps are often times won by progressive horses on the up and Olakau’atu fits that profile perfectly.
The three-year-old son of Sebring won the third race of his five starts career at Ballina by 1.5 lengths last start and although this is another step up in class, he looks the one to beat in the opener.
Suggested Bet: 1 units – Olakau’atu
RACE 2 – 12:55PM AEDT – Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m)
King’s Gambit is the deserving favourite in Canonbury Stakes betting having proved himself a talented colt by taking out the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield in October.
He’s come up very short and with a couple of promising juveniles in the race as well, I’m happy to sit back and watch on.
Suggested Bet: No Bet
RACE 3 – 1:30PM AEDT – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m)
The Chris Waller trained Wineglass Bay was excellent when making his Australian racing debut at Rosehill three weeks ago and he will only improve on that effort.
He gets a similar race here but James McDonald takes over from Nash Rawiller.
Suggested Bet: 1 unit – Wineglass Bay
RACE 4 – 2:05PM AEDT – Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m)
Tip Of The Spear is another import that I’m happy to back here at Rosehill on Saturday.
The lightly raced five year old gelding made his Australian debut in benchmark 78 three weeks ago and finished within two lengths of the winner Bazooka.
He’s one from one at 2000m so will appreciate the step up in distance and has drawn perfectly in barrier four.
Suggested Bet: 2 unit – Tip Of The Spear
RACE 5 – 2:40PM AEDT – Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m)
Keen to see the debut of the Anabel Neasham trained filly Learning To Fly who was a $900k yearling at the Inglis Easter Sales in 2022.
She has shown plenty in all three of her trips to the trials and she should be fit enough to run a race first up in the Widden Stakes.
Suggested Bet: 1 unit – Learning To Fly
RACE 6 – 3:15PM AEDT – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1350m)
Byron is a consistent five year old gelding who has finished inside the top two in eight of his 13 career race starts.
He won a Midway Handicap at this track and distance back in December carrying the same weight ande this doesn’t look any harder.
Suggested Bet: 1 unit – Byron
RACE 7 – 4:00PM AEDT – Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m)
Spacewalk closed out his last campaign with a narrow defeat in the Listed Poseidon Stakes at headquarters behind Buenos Noches.
He then came out and finished within a length of the very smart Mariamia at this track first up over 1100m.
The step up in distance suits, as does the barrier and he will be asked to carry just 51.5kgs.
Suggested Bet: 4 unit – Spacewalk
RACE 8 – 4:40PM AEDT
Golden Mile is a special colt who proved just how classy he is by winning the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas during his spring campaign.
The son of Astern has four four of six career starts and he has chased away a lot of his opponents as he looks for more black type races this autumn.
Suggested Bet: 2 unit – Golden Mile
RACE 9 – 5:20PM AEDT – Benchmark 88 Handicap (1500m)
Five-year-old mare Niffler is a consistent performer who is one from one over 1500m and unbeaten second up.
She was just okay first up over an unsuitable distance but she will take plenty of improevemnt out of the run and she represents good each way value in a race that lacks a whole heap of depth.
Suggested Bet: 1 unit – E/W Niffler
RACE 10 – 5:55PM AEDT – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1350m)
Cosmic Minerva is a lightly raced four year old who is yet to miss a place from five career starts.
He kick started this prep with a dominant win at Gosford and was then narrowly denied at this track and distance last time out.
He will be nearing peak fitness now and looks well placed in this particular event.
Suggested Bet: 2 unit – Cosmic Minerva