GODOLPHIN trainer John O’Shea prepared a midweek brace of two-year-old winners and can repeat the feat at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Astoria and Almanzora made impressive debuts at Warwick Farm on Wednesday and looked to have very bright futures although time has run out for the duo to get into the Golden Slipper field next Saturday.
ANALYSIS: SATURDAY BEST WITH RAY & DUFF
RACE WATCH: DAVO’S TIPS FOR ROSEHILL
DREAM CHANCE: WIN A SHARE IN A RACEHORSE
But their stablemates, Oruscate and Schubert (Pago Pago Stakes) and Alizee (Magic Night Stakes) have an opportunity this weekend to earn Golden Slipper starts.
Oruscate is coming off a good second in the Skyline Stakes and is 29th in Slipper order of entry while Schubert made a promising debut at the midweeks when second to Albumin.
“Oruscate was on a very heavy track at Randwick at his last start and I thought he was a little bit eager coming up over the rise,’’ O’Shea said. “He’s back to a firmer surface and his work’s been exceptional. He’s seasoned up really nicely for a race of this calibre, so he’s probably the better chance of the two.
John O’Shea will aim to add to his Golden Slipper team on Saturday.Source:News Corp Australia
“Schubert’s stepping up to stakes grade. but the transition from midweek company to stakes grade isn’t that great at this time of year. He’s a very talented colt and he’ll acquit himself well.”
Alizee has always had a boom on her at her only race start she was beaten out of a place behind Villa Carlotta.
“Alizee had a very unfortunate first-up run so I took her back to the trials just to build some confidence and to remind her how to execute well in a race,’’ O’Shea said. “She’s an extremely talented filly and if she was to get a nice run and if she ran up to her work she’d be extremely competitive.”
O’Shea already has Veranillo and Trekking fully qualified for the Golden Slipper next Saturday.
THE BARRIERS
The best winning barriers at Rosehill Gardens for the last three years.
(In order of most wins)
1100m: 1, 4, 3, 5
1200m: 4, 2, 6, 3
1350m: 8, 6, 2, 4
1500m: 6, 2, 1, 8
1900m: 6, 3, 9, 4
2000m: 5, 4, 6, 1
THE BIG BETS & MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: TAB Fixed Odds reports Fly Forward has firmed from $ 15-$ 9 after a $ 5,000 bet at $ 11.
Race 2: Palazzo Pubblico $ 11-$ 10.
Race 3: Single Bullet firm at $ 6 after bets of $ 400 at $ 6, $ 300 e/w at $ 6/$ 2, Condor Heroes has firmed from $ 4.60-$ 3.80-$ 3.60 with bets of $ 200 at $ 4.60 and $ 5,000 at $ 4.20.
Race 4: Tulip $ 5-$ 5.50 including a $ 1,000 wager at $ 5, Sweet Deal $ 6-$ 5 with bets of $ 1,000 at $ 6, $ 2,000 at $ 5.50, $ 2,000 at $ 5, Alizee $ 7-$ 6 after bets of $ 5,000 at $ 7, $ 500 at $ 7, La Chica Rosa $ 15-$ 18- $ 15 including a $ 3,000 wager at $ 18.
Race 5: Antonio Giuseppe $ 1.90 unchanged after a bet of $ 1,900 at $ 1.90.
Race 7: Euro Angel $ 21-$ 17, Thames Court $ 26-$ 21 with a $ 400 bet at $ 26.
EARLY QUADDIE
Race 2: 1, 2, 5
Race 3: 1, 2, 3, 5
Race 4, 3, 4, 8, 14
Race 5: 2, 9
Suggested bet $ 20
Bet percentage: 20.83%
QUADDIE
Race 6: 2, 3, 9, 14
Race 7: 2, 4, 7, 14
Race 8: 2, 3, 5, 10
Race 9: 4, 5, 10
Suggested bet: $ 20
Bet percentage: 10.41%
PRICE CHECK
Ever imagined getting $ 21 about First Seal (race seven) in a 1500m fillies and mares race? Well, they are the odds offered about this top-class mare in the Coolmore Classic. I concede she missed a valuable lead-up race, is first-up on a rain-affected track, has drawn off the track and must carry topweight of 58kg — but she is way over the odds here. Her trainer John Thompson is a master conditioner and has been able to give the mare two solid barrier trials in recent weeks.
Quality mare First Seal is well over the odds in the Coolmore Classic. Picture: George SalpigtidisSource:News Corp Australia
TRIAL POINTERS
Zelady’s Night Out (race two) was once being touted as a potential Golden Slipper contender but it didn’t happen. Fair to say she didn’t come up to any degree last prep — she’s shifted to Peter Robl since and appears to be thriving in her new surrounds at Randwick. The fleet-footed filly turned back the clock to her old self with a booming 4.8-lengths trial win at Rosehill on February 14. Is two from two on soft ground.
Spectroscope (race one) is a Godolphin import making his Australian debut. He is a striking son of Medaglia D’oro and comes bearing a very impressive resume from France, including a G2 and G3 placing over 2000m. Granted he is better at a trip but he turned heads when finishing second to the much speedier Faith’s Encore in a recent 1050m heat at Randwick.
WORK WHISPERS
Limbo Soul (race four) landed a good old-fashioned plunge with TAB Fixed Odds betting as much as $ 21 about her on debut before she won at Rosehill at a midweeker, paying $ 3.50 after the surge of support. She has to make the big step up here to win the Magic Night but her work has been first class. She was sent over 600m on Monday morning at Rosehill with a partner timed in 39.48s for the 600m and 12.4s the final 200m.
Global Glamour (race seven) is a dual G1 winner in two States. She was so brave first-up winning the Light Fingers and surely lost no admirers with another typically gutsy third in the Surround. It is never easy for a three-year-old filly to win the Coolmore much less from the wide alley but she pleased during the week at Randwick timed over 1000m on Tuesday in an easy 1:20.46s home the last 400m in 24.03s.
Boo Bailey’s cartoon tip for RosehillSource:Supplied
THE BEST BET
Antonio Giuseppe (race five) is in to $ 1.90 but he looks the safest bet on the program. He is a very promising, gifted stayer with six wins from just 10 starts, including his effortless win over 1500m at Rosehill three weeks ago. A Group 1 runner-up in The Metropolitan last spring, Antonio Giuseppe can score his first stakes win in the Sky High Stakes. He will appreciate getting out to 2000m, he is unbeaten in four Rosehill starts, and he has won four of his five starts on soft or heavy tracks. He ticks all the boxes.
EACH WAY
New Tipperary (race eight) is probably looking for a touch further but his first-up effort when sixth to McCreery on a very heavy Randwick track was a sound effort. He gets out to 1500m here on a track where he has won twice, and the gelding is particularly effective in soft going. At near double-figure odds, New Tipperary is a good each-way gamble.
THE JUDGMENT
ROSEHILL GARDENS
RACE 7: COOLMORE CLASSIC (1500m)
Ron Quinton (trainer) Dixie Blossoms, Daysee Doom: “Dixie Blossoms was very good last start, very dominant. She has been a model of consistency. Daysee Doom goes well, her form shows she is an improving mare on the way up. She is entitled to her chance.’’
Gai Waterhouse (trainer) Global Glamour: “This filly is absolutely outstanding but what I feel is the most exciting thing about her is her fast cruising speed. She cruises along at a remarkable rate, she gets her rivals off the bit chasing her, and she can sustain it.’’
Glenn Munsie (TAB): “I just can’t get excited about Omei Sword being so short here in a race with plenty of depth. There is no doubting her ability but this race is closer to $ 5 the field than $ 3.50. Dixie Blossoms will appreciate more speed here with In Her Time and Global Glamour rolling along. She is sure to revert to her normal racing style of settling further back. Two at odds in Danish Twist (better suited drawn inside on a better track) and Heavens Above (good Rosehill record) are chances as well.’’
Grant Palmer (bookie): “An outstanding edition of the Coolmore with a deep field of in-form fillies and mares. Pre-barrier draw we had Omei Sword marked as a near moral, however, from the outside gate, we have to take her on. Dixie Blossoms will go forward and create her own luck. She looks a knockout chance at a decent price.’’
Blake Johnston (bookie): “La Bella Diosa was too good first-up on the heavy track over Omei Sword. She will strip fitter for that effort and represents good value.’’
Terry Kennedy (Sky Sports Radio): “I’m in the Omei Sword fan club, she could be something special. Global Glamour will cross from the wide gate and give an enormous sight, while the Kiwi La Bella Diosa remains juicy odds.’’
Verdict: OMEI SWORD
FLEMINGTON
RACE 7: NEWMARKET HCP (1200m)
Mick Price (trainer) Extreme Choice: “I think he’s just at the top of his game for the Newmarket and I’m really looking forward to it. He’s an outstanding colt. He can win. I think if we’re in the right part of the race and he gets the good ride with 53kgs, he’ll be in the money.”
Bryce Heys (trainer) Spieth: “While it was disappointing not to win the Lightning Stakes, the most important thing is it was a run that suggests it paves the way for him to run well in the Newmarket. I think Hugh (Bowman) will ride him in a confident manner to give him an opportunity to win the race.’’
Glenn Munsie (TAB): “At least half the field comes out of either the Lightning or Oakleigh Plate. Once again we get a sprint race without a great deal of speed. Sheidel and Star Turn control with Illustrious Lad camped on them. See no reason therefore not to like the leaders who are both at reasonable odds. Slight preference for the mare with the softer draw. Bossy must be positive on Star Turn to give him his chance.’’
Grant Palmer (bookie): “This looks a race between the three-year-olds, Star Turn and Extreme Choice. If Glen Boss lets Star Turn rip early and show his explosive speed then he is certainly the horse to catch. Happy to risk Spieth who will find the 1 gate more of a hindrance then help.’’
Blake Johnston (bookie): “Spieth has ben unlucky in consecutive wfa Group 1 races and now returns to handicap conditions. He will need a touch of luck but looks the one to beat.’’
Terry Kennedy (Sky Sports Radio): “If there’s any justice, surely lady luck will smile on Spieth and he’ll win his first Group 1. Terravista’s win in the Lightning was no fluke, the old bloke will again charge home late.’’
Verdict: SPIETH
TAB Market Udpate – AUSTRALIAN CUP 1:09
Take a look at the latest TAB Market Update for the Australian Cup.
RACE 8: AUSTRALIAN CUP (2000m)
Lee Freedman (trainer) Exospheric, Tom Melbourne: “Exospheric’s run was very good and he’s come on nicely from it. His closing sectionals were very good I thought. It looks like it will be a firm track and that won’t make any difference to him. Glen Boss goes back on Tom Melbourne, which is great, as he’s got an understanding of the horse. I think he’ll run a lot better race than people might think.’’
Ciaron Maher (trainer) Jameka: “I think she will have taken nice improvement out of her last start and out to the 2000m, usually third-up she normally improves and starts to hit her form. These are her two target races, the Australian Cup and the BMW, so she looks to be on track. You could throw a blanket over the field. There’s a number of chances there, but I’m very happy with her and I wouldn’t swap her.’’
Glenn Munsie (TAB): “Glen Boss returns as the rider of Tom Melbourne, so does he let him stride from inside alley? Ecuador will no doubt roll along with Mourinho coming over. Stratum Star gains absolute perfect run following them with Jameka looking to slot in somewhere. Stratum Star has won his last three in different states and is proving to be an iron horse. Soft run assured and that gets him the nod from me. Stablemate Humidor has the potential but needs to curb his wayward manners.’’
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Darren Weir looks to hold the key in another Group 1 south of the border. Stratum Star just keeps winning and will certainly put himself in the frame again, and Humidor has had the lights flashing at each start this prep and will appreciate the big Flemington track.’’
Blake Johnston (bookie): “Exospheric had the best late splits in the Peter Young Stakes, which is the best form reference. He was only first-up there and should gain plenty of improvement.’’
Terry Kennedy (Sky Sports Radio): “Favourites have a bad record in recent times. I’m sticking with The United States, who should take natural improvement from his first-up third and get a gun run from barrier four. Humidor to charge late for the quinella.’’
Verdict: HUMIDOR
Originally published as Inside mail: Big bets and market movers
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