Rosehill plays host to this Saturday’s major NSW metro meeting.
The Lord Mayors Cup is the feature on the 10-race program on what shapes as another wet day in Sydney.
We’ve run the rule over each race and offer our best bets below!
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
RACE 1: PRECISE FIRE HANDICAP (1200M), 11:00AM
Tip: No. 7 O’Tycoon
Not the most appealing race to start the day, but I am keen to have something small on O’Tycoon.
Bjorn Baker’s two-year-old makes his long-awaited debut on the back of three straight trial wins, the latest coming in similar conditions at Hawkesbury.
He’s drawn to get the gun run from barrier 3 and Rachel King has been riding well of late.
RACE 2: HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200M), 11:35AM
Tip: No. 10 Markwell Dreamer
Markwell Dreamer appeals in what is another very open race.
The son of Dream Ahead flew home late for second at Gosford last time out and has struck heavy tracks in both runs this time in.
He’s won at this stage of his prep previously and with the claim put to good use, he should be there at the pointy end.
RACE 3: SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1500M), 12:10PM
Tip: No. 2 Rangi Toa
Rangi Toa is an impressive Kiwi import that showed his full potential on debut at Kensington last month.
The three-year-old by Shamexpress led and won well over 1400m on a Heavy 9, and he only needs to hold that form to go on with it here.
No query in the wet, and with Hugh Bowman now jumping in the irons, I can’t find any reason why he won’t win.
RACE 4: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1400M), 12:45PM
Tip: No. 5 Highly Desired
Highly Desired needs a touch of luck from the wide alley, but if he can shuffle across early and land on the speed, I think he’ll prove tough to run down.
The old-timer has always been a good wet-tracker with plenty of form on heavy going to his name, a record he added to a few weeks ago when he ran a clear second at Hawkesbury.
Back to 1400m suits and I think he’ll be in this for a long way.
RACE 5: CANADIAN CLUB HANDICAP (2000M), 1:20PM
Tip: No. 3 Ting Tong
Ting Tong looks well-placed here third-up.
Kris Lees’ lightly-raced three-year-old won in similar conditions at Tamworth back in March and has since gone on to finish fourth behind at smart type at Gosford a couple of weeks ago.
He probably deserved to finish even closer after being held up at the top of the straight, a run he can only improve on now with Jason Collett back in the saddle.
RACE 6: FUJITSU GENERAL HANDICAP (1800M), 1:55PM
Tip: No. 6 Dynasties
Dynasties is a smart filly out of the Snowden yard that is well-deserving of her status as favourite.
The daughter of Sebring ran a clear third to Espiona first-up at Randwick before returning a few weeks later to win the Gold Bracelet on the Gold Coast over Gypsy Goddess.
She’s the kind of horse that can take a while to wind up, but if Tommy Berry can settle here a little closer from the inside gate, she’ll be hard to hold out.
RACE 7: CITY OF PARRAMATTA LORD MAYORS CUP (2000M), 2:30PM
Tip: No. 4 Hopeful
Quite keen to have something on Hopeful here in his second run back.
Annabel Neasham’s French import was enormous on debut at Hawkesbury a few weeks ago, making up good ground to finish second in the Cup behind Kirwan’s Lane.
His form over this trip in Europe reads well, and he should look to roll forward and test his luck on the speed.
RACE 8: FURPHY HANDICAP (1200M), 3:05PM
Tip: No. 9 Mariamia
Mariamia presents fitter second-up after running a clear third to Andermatt and Dragonstone at Randwick last month.
That was her fun for Joseph Pride and I thought it was an encouraging return after what was a fairly hot and cold prep earlier in the year.
The daughter of Toronado has always been a good wet tracker and if she can find some luck from the draw, she might pinch this.
RACE 9: KIA HANDICAP (1500M), 3:45PM
Tip: No. 13 Quintello
Quintello steps out in search of her hat-trick, and although this is the toughest challenge she’s faced, she has to be respected on recent form.
The Maher and Eustace mare won first-up at Mornington by four lengths and then proved that was no fluke at Randwick a month later lapping up the wet conditions to score comfortably.
She’s had a good gap between runs and won twice now fresh. The draw is the only issue, but with a few kg’s off, she’ll be tough to hold out.
RACE 10: BOWERMANS HANDICAP (1200M), 4:25PM
Tip: No. 2 Rainbow Connection
It’s been a long time in between drinks for Rainbow Connection, but his recent trial form does make him worthy of a look.
The son of Choisir hasn’t been seen in over a year since running second to Exoboom in the Hawkesbury Guineas following a third to Ellsberg at Randwick.
The form around those two horses speaks for itself, and although he doesn’t have a stack of wet track form, he could measure up here.
