In partnership with Racing NSW, we bring you comprehensive tips and previews for Rosehill races this Saturday, June 13. With 10 exciting races on the card, our expert analysis covers every event from the opening handicap to the final sweep.
Race 1 - 11:00AM KIA ORA BLOODLINES TO HEADLINES HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1. Friendly Fire showed impressive resolve when challenged at the end of 1200m at Randwick, suggesting the step up to 1400m at Rosehill will suit him well. He found the front early and fought off the runner-up despite looking vulnerable. In a small field, he appears progressive and is the clear one to beat.
8. Iminastate brings handy form into this race after competing against quality horses like Tron Bolt and Cormier in his first two starts. He wound up well without threatening over 1300m two weeks ago and, on firmer footing, can finish strongly again.
5. Marwooba is on the back-up after finishing sixth at Canterbury on Monday, where he wound up well and was beaten under two lengths. He gets a softer run here and is worth consideration.
3. Heard Of Him improved on his Bathurst debut to win at Hawkesbury over 1400m. While this race has more depth, a placing would not be surprising.
How to play it: Friendly Fire WIN.
Race 2 - 11:35AM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
1. Smashing Time has been freshened since an all-the-way win at Gosford at this level five weeks ago, where he ran fast time. He should find the lead and, if he controls the race, will take plenty of catching. He has always shown ability and may be living up to it.
9. She Swings ran past Gorgeous when resuming a fortnight ago in a promising return. It is unclear whether the heavy track aided her, as it was her first try on that surface. She may need to come from behind again but should not be overlooked.
3. Mother Goose was not her usual self when resuming at the same meeting but was beaten only just over 2.6 lengths. Returning to a Midway race is a plus, and a sharp improvement would not surprise.
4. Zounaka found herself in front when winning first-up on the Illawarra Grange track at Kembla. All three wins have been fresh, which is a small concern, but she has a chance to improve on that stat.
How to play it: Smashing Time WIN.
Race 3 - 12:10PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
3. Concoction has mixed his form this time in, but his run in Class 6 company in Brisbane a month ago was hard to miss. He drew the outside, went back, and weaved through to finish fourth, breathing down the third placegetter. He had excuses in his only Highway attempt previously and draws well, making him a good chance.
4. Hammoon Sensation has been edging back in distance, so the 1400m may be a query. He chased home a handy horse on a heavy track in Highway grade two weeks ago. If he stays in touch from the inside gate, he can still threaten.
16. Girrawheen put in a sneaky good run in Exit Fee's Highway on May 23. She was last in an 18-horse field coming to the turn and finished within 3.25 lengths. From an inside barrier, she should not give away such a start and could be a good each-way hope.
7. Red Rags To Bulls is a backmarker, so the wide gate is less of a concern, and there will likely be scratchings. She needs luck but has the right Highway form.
How to play it: Concoction EACH-WAY.
Race 4 - 12:45PM RANVET HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
10. Skycatcher is an up-and-comer who should relish the move to 2000m third-up. He ran up to his odds-on price in winning at Canterbury, where he looked under pressure but rallied and was strongest on the line. This race has more depth, but he has tactical speed to lead or sit on the pace and can measure up.
5. Nobler is another promising type who is fresh since winning twice over the mile at Randwick and Gosford. He tackled 2000m in Ireland and was placed. He draws soft and has a claim, giving him every chance to run the trip out.
4. King Pedro went for home around the turn and was cut down late by Monopolistic at Gosford second-up. Both efforts have been excellent, he should be peaking now, and he must be respected.
8. Belle Detelle hit the front briefly at Rosehill two weeks ago only to be run down by a stablemate. She was up sharply in trip there, so she will be fitter for this and has every chance.
How to play it: Skycatcher WIN.
Race 5 - 1:20PM PETALUMA HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
6. Surf's Up produced a notable effort when running third behind Declichy Boulevard in testing conditions at Randwick three weeks ago. She jumped from the outside gate, was widest on the turn, and kept trying to the line, beaten under a length. She has been threatening to win this preparation, has a claim, and draws inside this time, making her a big chance.
8. Ertijaaj is a lightly raced import unbeaten in two Australian runs, both at 1500m. He got the job done on heavy ground at Rosehill two weeks ago. The setup is different here, but he stays under notice.
11. Tarzing won his first two starts in Victoria then started favourite when an even third behind Sarrismo at Warwick Farm in February. The market will guide, but he gets his chance with the claim.
13. Shotgun Bella is racing in great form and always looked to have the race in hand when taking out the Country Cup at Scone last month. She draws to effect again and will run well.
How to play it: Surf's Up WIN.
Race 6 - 1:55PM RJ PARTNER AWARD HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
3. Couples Retreat beat a similar line-up nicely a couple of weeks ago, and there is no reason she cannot be hard to beat again. It was her first try on a heavy track, so coming back to a better surface poses no qualms. She draws okay again and should be competitive.
8. Shropshire Lad has handy form, with a placing behind Wanaruah at Scone and a closing fourth behind Couples Retreat. He gets back in his races but has a nice dash if he can flow into the race. Each-way.
10. Benevac also comes through the same race and may be a big improver, as he was first-up from a spell. He will be fine with the improved track.
7. Royal Flare is hard to line up. He beat four rivals as a $1.35 chance at Caulfield first-up, and coming back 100m may favour him as he was all out at the finish. Watch the market.
How to play it: Couples Retreat WIN.
Race 7 - 2:30PM RACING AND SPORTS HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
16. Big Papa did not have much go right when resuming as favourite at Rosehill two weeks ago. Circumstances are better this time despite rising in class. He is up to a more suitable trip, a soft track is ideal, and he draws better to use the light weight. He has form around horses like Ninja and Plaintiff and should be a major player.
7. Lightning Glory is on a winning streak and stepped up in class nicely to score at Scone a month ago, holding off Nitro. He won a tickover trial with ease and is hard to fault.
12. Sanctified reacted well to settling off the speed when running over the top of Supermassive at Warwick Farm third-up. He drops a couple of kilos for the class rise and, if he can stalk again, could be hard to hold out.
8. Snack Bar probably did not relish the heavy ground when resuming at 1000m three weeks ago. He was favourite there and is entitled to another chance, though he is getting hard to catch.
How to play it: Big Papa WIN.
Race 8 - 3:05PM THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP (2400 METRES)
Happy to give 7. Thebudgiesmugla another chance after he was beaten in the Lord Mayors Cup two weeks ago. He stayed on well enough and will appreciate getting back up to 2400m with the light weight. He rolls forward onto the speed and should be harder to run down.
5. So You Are has been racing well in Queensland and, while no match for the winner last time, boxed on solidly in fourth in the Premier's Cup at this trip. He has his chance from the inside alley.
4. Caboche came from a mile back to finish fifth in the Lord Mayors Cup after drawing wide and settling last in the 18-horse field. He does not win out of turn and has yet to score in 10 runs on his home track, but now is his chance to fire.
1. Portland has 59kg to contend with and will not get the heavy track he relished two weeks ago, but he is a smart stayer and should not be underestimated.
How to play it: Thebudgiesmugla WIN.
Race 9 - 3:45PM SHIFT4 SYDNEY SWEEP HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
17. Maybe Moet looks close to a win after two excellent runs since a freshen-up. He closed off well at 1300m at Scone, then back to 1200m on a heavy track hit the line nicely into a close second. The step up in trip again is in his favour, he draws nicely, and a soft track suits him. Go close.
15. Fleeting Spirit was close up in the same race two weeks ago, beaten two lengths, and did not get a clear shot when needed, so she should have been closer. She reacted well to being conservatively ridden and is an each-way chance.
19. Bella Corazon can be her own worst enemy at the start but always runs on. She did that when resuming behind Lightning Glory at Scone, running on well into third. She is a winner at this track and trip and cannot be left out.
4. Miss Busslinger was not disgraced when midfield behind Declichy Boulevard at Randwick off a six-week break. If she finds her Provincial-Midway Champs Qualifier form, she is in the mix.
How to play it: Maybe Moet WIN.
Race 10 - 4:25PM BISLEY WORKWEAR HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
4. Fiddlers Green might have a big chance to turn the tables on Mawjood from their clash two weeks ago, in conditions that arguably suited the winner more. He appreciates a track in the good-to-soft range and was five weeks between runs going into that clash. He should stalk again and will be harder to hold off.
3. Mawjood has a wide gate to contend with but is a go-forward horse, and scratchings will help. He led all the way to win on May 30 and, with the claim, carries 1kg less. If he crosses cheaply, he could repeat; if forced to work, he may be vulnerable.
10. Emirate has been freshened since a fair fourth at Kensington a month ago. If he finds the form that saw him run Formal Display to under a length three starts back, he could give some cheek.
12. Seven's is fitter for two runs back in Queensland and was just outpointed at Doomben three weeks ago when runner-up over a mile. His last win was at this track and trip on a heavy track in October.
How to play it: Fiddlers Green EACH-WAY.
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