The $10 million Golden Eagle headlines another huge Sydney Spring Carnival program at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Check out my thoughts on all ten races and 2023 Golden Eagle Day Tips below!
Highway Handicap (1200m) – 12:10pm AEDT
Dollar Magic has improved with each starts back from a spell and is ready to win on Golden Eagle Day.
The Shamus Award mare filled the minors in a Class 3 at Tamworth in her first run back in September, and she has since finished second in races at Warwick Farm and Randwick.
She’s in peak order, and with some relief in the weights this week, I think that this is her opportunity to strike.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Dollar Magic
Canadian Club Handicap (1500m) – 12:45pm AEDT
Dream Hour was an eye-catching winner at the midweeks first-up from a spell, and he can continue his rise through the grades on Golden Eagle Day.
The Dawn Approach gelding was a consistent performer last time in, unlucky not to win in four starts, but finding form around some good, Saturday metro grade company.
He strips fitter into this assignment and has won second-up previously.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Dream Hour
Benchmark 78 Handicap (1900m) – 1:20pm AEDT
He is yet to show his best form this time in, but I like that Ausbred Rising Sun is on the short back up into this contest, and I personally believe it to be the most winnable task that he has been set.
Ausbred Rising Sun stamped himself as a horse to follow upon debuting in he summer of last year, winning a couple of races in Newcastle before filling the minors behind Pericles in Group 2 company in Victoria.
He was five lengths behind the likes of Pervade at Randwick last weekend, but with improved fitness and out to the 1900m this week, I think that he’s in for a better time. We can have an each way play at the price.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Ausbred Rising Sun
Chandon Handicap (1200m) – 2pm AEDT
There’s a case to be made for a few of them in Race 4 on Golden Eagle Day, but I am going to have something on the resuming Shohei.
Shohei made just two appearances at the races last time win, winning fresh at Newcastle before finishing an agonizingly close second behind Foxy Frida in the Gold Bracelet at Bendigo.
She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials leading up to this weekend’s return, her fresh record is outstanding, and her best form does put her ahead of a lot of these rivals.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Shohei
Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1300m) – 2:40pm AEDT
This is one of the tougher races on the program from a betting perspective, in my opinion, but I am going to have a small each way play on Robusto.
Robusto has picked off a couple of nice races during his eighteen career starts, and he returned to action to finish fifth in a BM88 race at Randwick a fortnight ago.
He’s a horse that tends to improve with a start or two under his belt, and he’s certainly up to the class of this race at his best.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Robusto
Four Pillars Midway (1500m) – 3:20pm AEDT
This is an open edition of the $500K Four Pillars Midway and there’s a case to be made for many of them, including Satness.
Satness has been a model of consistency for Kembla Grange trainers Robet & Luke Price throughout his career, and his recent efforts, all in Midway company, have been particularly sharp.
He’s hard fit this week, should receive every chance from an inside draw, and he’s another whom we can have something on each way.
Suggested Bet: No. 13 Satness
Giga Kick Stakes (1300m) – 4pm AEDT
A pretty clear standout top pick in this year’s Giga Kick Stakes: Think About It.
The talented gelding has won eleven of his twelve career starts to date, and ended his winter prep this year with consecutive wins at Group 1 level.
Having dusted off the cobwebs with a smart win in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes first-up in September, the So You Think gelding etched his name in the history books by winning The Everest last month, and this is a noticeably weaker race than that one.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Think About It
The Golden Eagle (1500m) – 4:45pm AEDT
In my opinion, this is the best edition of the $10 million Golden Eagle to date, and some of the best four-year-old from Australasia and beyond are engaged.
I’ve put Amelia’s Jewel on top, but check out my full race preview and 2023 Golden Eagle Tips RIGHT HERE.
Suggested Bet: No. 16 Amelia’s Jewel
Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) – 5:20pm AEDT
Victorian Shock ‘Em Ova will step out in the Rosehill Gold Cup this week, and I am expecting another bold performance from the talented galloper.
Shock ‘Em Ova returned to action with a nice performance to finish second, beaten a head in BM70 company at Sandown back in late August, and he has since recorded consecutive wins over a mile and 2000m at Caulfield.
This is another rise in class, but he has the runs on the board, he gets into the race extremely well at the weights and as long as he handles the opposite way of going, I think he’ll be right in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 12 Shock ‘Em Ova
Schweppes Handicap (1100m) – 5:55pm AEDT
I’m going to have something on Way To The Stars in the last on Golden Eagle Day.
Way To The Stars returned to action with an eye-catching win in BM72 company at Canterbury, and he was last seen finishing second in a photo behind Stanislaus here at Rosehill.
I like that he has been kept up to the mark with a trial since that appearance, and he can deliver the in-form Matt Smith yard another victory.
Suggested Bet:No. 3 Way To The Stars