We have a cracking day of racing in front of us at Rosehill on Saturday with plenty of quality fields assembled.
Our full 2022 San Domenico Stakes Day Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – Highway Handicap (1400m)
La Valkyrie has just two wins to her name from 24 career starts but she is well over the odds at $80 in my opinion.
She missed the start considerably at Wagga when resuming but she made up an incredible amount of ground late in the race to finish within two lengths of the winner.
The heavier the track the better and with the apprentice claiming she will carry just 51kg should she gain a start.
Race 2 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m)
Frumos is a smart mare who put together three wins from three starts before finding plenty of trouble last time out at this track.
She is short enough though and I would recommend watching on.
Race 3 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m)
Chris Waller saddles up five of the 11 runners in the third race on the program and Il Affare is the best chance in my opinion.
The five year old mare has had three runs so far this prep so will bring in a fitness edge over most of these runners and the daughter of Dundeel finally gets out to a more suitable distance now.
Race 4 – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m)
Tricky race to get a firm handle on but Abuela down in the weights looks well placed.
The four year old mare has been placed in five of her six career starts including a first up second on the Kensington track at Randwick.
Drawn barrier six with William Pike steering.
Race 5 – Benchmark 100 Handicap (1400m)
Really keen to see the return of Old Flame who has shown plenty of natural ability during his short career to date.
He closed out his last prep by finishing third in the rich Coast at Gosford and his teo trials have been full of merit suggesting he is ready to fire first up.
Race 6 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m)
The Hawkes trained Fire was a dominant 2.25 length winner first up at Sandown before being beaten as favourite last time out at Flemington.
He drops in grade and rises in weight for this assignment but he is a lightly raced horse with lots of ability.
Race 7 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m)
Waterford has not been seen at the races since breaking his maiden at Warwick Farm back in March.
The three-year-old colt settled fifth that day and came across heels and kick clear by three lengths on the line.
Two trials leading into this first up assignment will have him fit enough to win.
Race 8 – Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m)
Conqueror was impeded at the 300m when resuming at Randwick earlier this month but the colt picked back up and found the line nicely for second.
He was sent to the trials in between runs to sharpen him up and he has srawn well in barrier two with William Pike on top and just 53kg.
Race 9 – Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m)
Best Of Bordeaux is a really classy colt but I’m not willing to take the short price for him first up.
Swiss Exile is proven at Group level having won the Group 2 Champagne Classic during the winter and then finishing second behind Sheeza Belter in the Sires’ Produce.
His latest trial win was impressive and he represents good each way value.
Nettuno is another that makes his way south from Queensland having won all three of his career starts by a combined nine lengths.
This includes a narrow victory in the Group 3 Ken Ressell Memorial on the Gold Coast in May.
Race 10 – Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m)
Hellfest is one of the best bets on the entire card on Saturday at Rosehill at $11 in my opinion.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock has won three of six so far and she was only narrowly denied in a benchmark 90 over 1100m first up at Caulfield.
The step up in distance suits and hopefully she can close our day on a winning note.