Winter Challenge Day has arrived, and we are off to Rosehill Gardens for another exciting ten-race program.
The Winter Challenge produced Caulfield Cup winner Durston and Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip in 2022, and another bumper field has accepted for Saturday’s feature.
You can find my 2023 Winter Challenge Day Tips below.
Midway Handicap (1300m) – 11:15am
Diamond Diesel won a similar race at Randwick last time from a forward position and looks a great chance to repeat the dose at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Adam Duggan-trained galloper has been a model of consistency this time in, failing to miss a place in six starts back from a break, and he was rewarded with what was easily the biggest prize of his career last time.
He steps out this week in peak order and can go straight to the lead again from barrier 3.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Diamond Diesel
Racing For Good On July 29 Handicap (1200m) – 11:50am
Taormina was very good one debut, and something like this does look the next logical step for her.
The Written Tycoon filly showed some ability at the trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the wall with an eye-catching effort over 1200m at Warwick Farm.
This is obviously harder, but she has plenty of upside.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Taormina
Highway Plate (1500m) – 12:25pm
Seahaven is the one for me in this week’s Highway race.
Seahaven has missed placing once in seven career starts to date, winning three times and finding form around decent country company.
He clearly needed his first run back this time when third, beaten a length and a half in Class 3 company, but he boasts a good second-up record, and the rise in trip should suit.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Seahaven
Kia Ora Prague Handicap (2400m) – 1pm
Manbehindthemoney takes winning form into this race, and with some relief in the weights under Zac Lloyd, I think that he looks a really good chance of winning again.
The Bobby’s Kitten gelding has been a consistent performer throughout his campaign, and he did win a decent-rating race at Canterbury three runs back as well.
He’s another that looks to be in peak order and I’m keen to see him out to the 2400m this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Manbehindthemoney
Furphy Handicap (1200m) – 1:35pm
There are some decent horses engaged in Race 5 at Randwick on Saturday, but Brudenell’s form looks to be the strongest, in my opinion.
Brudenell returned a winner over 1100m here last month and was only denied by Insurrection at Randwick last time.
Fitter third-up, the small rise in trip this week should suit, and it really does look like perfect placement again from Kris Lees.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Brudenell
Precise Air Handicap (1200m) – 2:10pm
Waverider Buoy has form around some good horses this time, and with luck from a wide draw, I think she’ll prove too good for them again.
The Nicconi filly was only denied in a photo by Brudenell first-up from a break, and she charged home to score in BM72 company last time, beating home the likes of Hi Dubai.
Fitter third-up, she can build on an increasingly smart record.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Waverider Buoy
Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m) – 2:45pm
Chorlton Lane debuted in Australia for a lovely win here at Rosehill, and he too looks likely to only improve into this contest.
The Mehmas gelding made two appearances over in the UK prior to his purchase and transferral to the Maher & Eustace stables, winning at Newbury before only just missing in a 1408m race.
He beat home some handy opposition here earlier this month and Jason Collett retains the ride.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Chorlton Lane
Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) – 3:25pm
The Winter Challenge produced both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner in 2022 and I cannot wait to see how this year’s edition pans out on Saturday.
Sibaaq hasn’t been seen at the races since March, but I thought he was good in some decent races during the autumn, and he’s the one for me at current Winter Challenge odds ($13 at publish).
The Dark Angel gelding began his career abroad, racing well around some good horses in the UK, and he announced himself to the Australian racing community in spring last year, placing in both the Big Dance and the Five Diamonds most notably.
He’s drawn ideally under Chad Schofield, and we can have an each way play at the price.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Sibaaq
Schweppes July Sprint (1100m) – 4:05pm
Omni Man has returned to the races in exceptional form this time, and the July Sprint looks a really nice race for him.
The I Am Invincible gelding has won three of four starts back from a break, knocking off some very handy opposition at each of his last two.
This is another rise in class, but he looks more than up to it, and he is my best bet of the day.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Omni Man
Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1300m) – 4:40pm
Much Much Better returned to action with an eye-catching effort over 1200m at Randwick a fortnight ago, and he rates as a key winning chance in a wide-open race here at Rosehill.
The Stratum gelding returned some lovely performances last time in, ending his prep with a win in BM88 company.
With some relief in the weights under quality apprentice Zac Lloyd and from the good draw, I’m confident he’ll be right in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Much Much Better