The first of four Group races for the Rosehill card this Saturday is the Theo Marks Stakes. A field of eleven will face the starter with representatives from Victoria, Queensland and of course New South Wales lining up. With most of the field commencing or still in the initial stages of their spring campaign, it makes this a tricky race to the line the form up on. Early favourite is Rain Affair ($2.50) from one of Chris Waller’s two runners in the race, Boban ($4.40). The only other runner under double figures is Qld’s Solzhenitsyn ($7.00).
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1. RAIN AFFAIR – G Schofield (2)
He was quoted the short price of 8/11 on favourite to break a frustrating string of placings in G1 company last start, when stepping out in the Warwick Stakes (1400m) From a wide gate he set a cracking speed and not surprisingly, was found wanting in the last 100m. He did well to hold onto third (beaten 1.6 lengths) behind Veyron and Streama. He’ll lead again but Schofield, who rides him for the first time, will not be as aggressive on him out in front as Rawiller was in the Warwick Stakes and, to ensure he sees out the trip (he’s only has the one win over 1400m), look for cheap sectional mid-race.
2. SOLZHENITSYN – J Collett (6)
Now a 7yo, the Rob Heathcote galloper resumes from a twelve week spell. He has a winning barrier trail under his belt and that was also the case when he resumed last prep with a cracking third to Pierro and More Joyous in the G1 Canterbury Classic (1300m) – Rain Affair fourth. Should be able to settle mid-field from his draw and is not to be underestimated first up.
3. ALMA’S FURY – C Reith (7)
He had no luck at all when resuming in the G3 Show County at Warwick Farm and finished twelfth of fourteen behind Rebel Dane. He found a good spot at his next and most recent start, the Tramway Stakes last week but couldn’t reel in the leading pair of Bello and Malavio who fought out the finish, holding his ground in the run to the line finishing sixth (beaten 1.8 lengths). He drops 3kgs on the Tramway, sure to be fully wound up now and has produced some smart runs at his third back in previous preps.
4. RIVA DE LAGO – J Cassidy (8)
First of Waller’s two representatives, this Encosta De Lago 6yo returned from a spell with a eighth of fourteen (beaten 3.1 lengths) in the G3 Show County three weeks ago. He tracked eventual winner Rebel Dane into the straight in the Show County but couldn’t produce the sprint when required. He’ll drop to the tail of the field from his draw but does have outstanding stats at this track and trip, including a second to Havana Rey in the G2 Ajax Stakes earlier this year. Will need the track to allow for back-makers to be running on.
5. CENTENNIAL PARK – (4)
First up in the Missile Stakes last month, this David Payne trained runner finished over ten lengths from Rain Affair when fifth in the race. He then blew from 40 to 100-1 in the Warwick Stakes and held his spot in the run home finishing ninth, beaten 3.7 lengths. He’s better suited back to this grade and he did win at Listed level over this trip when third up last prep. Drawn to get a nice run from four and whilst can’t see him winning, he might be able to sneak a place at decent odds.
6. MONTON – S Clipperton (11)
Resumed from a sixteen week break in the G3 Show County at Warwick Farm three weeks ago and from his inside draw, got back in the field and never threatened in the straight. He had no trial leading into that race and he’ll strip much fitter for it however, he has one placing from six second up runs and combined with his poor draw, he’ll need to produce close to a career best here.
7. SOMEPIN ANYPIN – T Clark (9)
The 6yo returns to racing from a sixteen week spell and judging by his barrier trial win on the 19th August, looks set to return in good style. It has been a long time though since the son of Pins visited the winner’s stall and you have to go back to November 2011, the G3 Hawkesbury Cup (1600m) – seven starts ago now – to find his last win. Been kept relatively safe for a horse that has had little racing in the past 12 months at $13.00 in markets but would think he’d be better for this run.
8. SOMEDAY – M Cahill (1)
Handy Qld galloper who, a month after claiming the Listed Glasshouse Hcp on the Sunshine Coast, stepped out in the G3 Show County at Warwick Farm. As he always does, he dropped out toward the tail of the field but was spotted making good ground in traffic over the final stages. This is his pet trip and from one with Rain Affair setting the tempo, may not have to get as far back as he normally does. Capable of claiming a place.
9. TAXMEIFYOUCAN – P Robl (8)
After placings in the G3 Royal Sovereign Stakes and Listed Gosford Guineas, this Greg Hickman trained galloper was rewarded for his consistency with victory in the Scone Guineas in May. We haven’t seen the son of Ad Valorem since bar a barrier trial on the 30th August where he finished, under his own esteem, fourth of eight. More than handy galloper but this level first up may be asking a bit too much.
10. HOSTING – SCRATCHED
11. YOUR HONOUR – K McEvoy (10)
Didn’t make his debut until he was a 4yo in August of last year but, proved the wait was worth it by winning his first four races in succession. Each victory came on the Victorian Provincial circuit and the son of Neillo returned to racing after a ten month spell with a pleasing fourth behind stable-mate and handy performer Hosting, at Sandown a little over two weeks ago. He closed from near last first up and will strip fitter again obviously but whilst this is a significant leap up in grade, respect the stable’s decision in entering him here. (He was also nominated for race one on the card).
12. BOBAN – (12)
This 4yo really started to hit his straps last prep with close up placings in the Hawkesbury Guineas and G3 Fred Best classic behind Platinum Kingdom. He was spelled after an unlucky run in the Qld Guineas but as returned in fine order judging by his handsome 1 ½ length win at Rosehill a fortnight ago in a BM 90. Everything panned out for him in the run but he won with plenty to spare and appears to be still on the improve. The draw is a nasty one but as the market suggests, best not draw a line threw him because of that only.
OVERVIEW.
Rain Affair leads and will ensure a good tempo – not a silly one this time though! All you have to do is recall his second to All Too Hard over this trip in the All Aged Stakes back in April to realise he is the one to beat. Looking for those to fill a place and arrived at the Qld pair of Solzhenitsyn and Someday. The former was outstanding first up at G1 level last prep whilst the latter, should be afforded every opportunity given his draw and the tempo of the race. Boban has certainly a nice race in him this prep but just find it hard to know where, from the widest gate, he’ll get to in the run.
- RAIN AFFAIR
- SOLZHENITSYN
- SOMEDAY
- BOBAN
