Victoria Derby winner Riff Rocket is on notice to bring his Group One form to Sydney when he chases his first win in the harbour city in Saturday’s Rosehill Guineas.
The three-year-old has won five of his nine outings but his only success in NSW came at Kembla Grange last September, a start prior to his defeat as favourite in an 1800m benchmark race at Rosehill.
He subsequently went on to claim the Super Impose Stakes (1800m) and finish runner-up in the Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) before capturing the Derby (2500m) – all in Victoria.
Trainer Chris Waller knows the statistics and he is keen to give Riff Rocket an opportunity to prove his versatility.
“I want to see him bring that Victorian form to Sydney,” Waller said.
“It’s questionable whether he could be better on the other leg, so we’ll find out on Saturday.
“It was just a little bit hard to make up ground in the Australian Guineas, so I think his run was good and he’s looking for further.”
After resuming with an outstanding victory in the CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) last month, Riff Rocket again hit the line stylishly once clear for third behind Southport Tycoon and Veight in the Melbourne feature.
With stablemate Militarize scratched from Saturday’s Rosehill Guineas (2000m) to run in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m), Riff Rocket is the $2.50 top pick, while Waller’s other runner, Cap Ferrat is a $23 chance and expected to appreciate the step back up to a middle-distance.
The John O’Shea-trained Café Millenium is an interesting Guineas runner, the giant colt coming off a close third behind Celestial Legend and Militarize in the Randwick version over 1600m.
His only win was on debut in the Pierro Plate (1100m) and both times he has finished in the top-three, he has been ridden by Tom Marquand.
Marquand has the Guineas ride and while O’Shea isn’t certain if Café Millenium will be at his best over a middle-distance, he is happy to roll the dice.
“He seems to have pulled up really well,” O’Shea said.
“He’s open to good improvement, which he will need to be.
“Whether he runs ten (furlongs, 2000m) or not, I’m not sure, but we’re going to find out.”