Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
G1 Golden Rose S. - quality 3-year-olds
A race run from 1978 to 2002 as the G2 Peter Pan S., earning its upgrade when won by Denman in 2009, the G1 Golden Rose S. is always high on the agenda for connections wanting a nice race on a potential stallion’s record.
And it has been won by a number of horses who have gone on to successful careers at stud, such as: The Autumn Sun, Trapeze Artist, Astern, Zoustar, Flying Spur and Brave Warrior.
Though the best horse to win the race was a gelding, the mighty Kingston Town (Bletchingly) recording his first win at Group level when successful back in 1979.
Kingston Town | Image courtesy of Sportpix
A bold first-up showing is expected from the boom colt Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) who was unbeatable at the end of his 2-year-old career; his four wins in a row culminating with big-race success in the G1 JJ Atkins S.
This has been a good race for Godolphin, the all-blue successful with Bivouac, Astern and Exosphere and on the back of good trial form Broadsiding is a big chance to enhance that record.
The same can be said for his stablemate Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}) who has the advantage of a run under his belt, impressive when taking out the G2 Run To The Rose when resuming.
Broadsiding, the current favourite for the G1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The placegetters in that lead-up, Anode (I Am Invincible) and Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) seek to turn the tables. Both were right in the thick of things; the question is, who improves the most second-up?
And we can also ask that question of Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) who was on the heels of the placegetters in that same race, one in which Emirate (Extreme Choice) also ran well. He is trained by Chris Waller who won this race last year with Militarize (NZ).
G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate - two in a row for Mustang Valley?
There is big-race action in New Zealand on Saturday with the running of this weight-for-age contest over 1600 metres at Hastings.
The most strongly fancied runner is the proven Group 1 performer Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel), winner at about this time last year of the G1 Tarzino Trophy after which she embarked on an Australian campaign which saw her win in Group 3 company at Flemington during Cup week.
Skew Wiff (NZ), the current favourite for the G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate at Hastings | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
She again contested this year’s Tarzino Trophy, at her second run back from a spell finding the line well in the style of a horse looking for the 1600 metres.
Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) vies for some history here, connections hoping that the classy 6-year-old can join Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), Seachange (NZ) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Hello Dolly (NZ) (Mi Preferido {USA}) as multiple winners of this race.
Winning a trial at Arawa Park since her first-up, close up fifth in the G2 Foxbridge Plate, she was third-up when leading throughout in this race last year.
Mustang Valley (NZ) looks to become a multiple winner of the G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate at Hastings | Image courtesy of Trish Dunnell
Again taking her on is last year’s runner-up Malt Time (Adelaide {Ire}) who was on that occasion second-up off a good finish in the Tarzino Trophy first-up. This time around she comes off solid winter form, winning three of her last four starts.
Faraglioni (NZ) (El Roca) showed plenty of heart with her first-up Tarzino Trophy second whilst Mali Ston (NZ) (El Roca) did a fair bit wrong when finishing in front of Skew Wiff in the Foxbridge Plate.
Representing a different form line is El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) who was tough off a wide run when resuming at Ruakaka. The G1 Bonecrusher S. winner is going to be suited by a step up in distance.
G2 Golden Pendant - Amelia’s Jewel’s day to shine?
Yet to finish out of the first two in five second-up attempts, Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) lost no fans with her first-up G2 Tramway H. second to Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
She found the line well on that occasion and Royal Patronage held up that form with his good 7 S. third behind Fangirl (Sebring) last weekend.
Tommy Berry again takes the ride, and he has won this race on two occasions: aboard Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) in 2020 and on Mizzy (Zoustar) the year before.
Semana, the current favourite for the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Tropical Squall (Prized Icon) has trialled soundly since tiring from the lead and pulling up lame in the G1 Winx S. when resuming and she was right in the thick of things in the G1 Coolmore S. second-up last time in.
Semana (Winning Rupert) just keeps racing well and was close up in the Winx whilst another one to come off a good run in the Tramway is Arctic Glamour (Frosted {USA}).
First run as the Research S., this race has some very nice mares on its honour roll, won by the likes of Spinning Hill (Dolphin Street {Fr}), Hot Danish (Nothin’ Leica Dane), More Joyous (More Than Ready {USA}) and last year Espiona (Extreme Choice).
G2 Shannon S. - a great run for imports
It has been a great run of success for imported gallopers in this 1500-metre quality handicap, won five years in a row by horses bred in the Northern Hemisphere with the most recent Australian-bred winner being Noire (Foxwedge) in 2018.
Four imports contest this year’s running; New Endeavour (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) who was disgraced racing in tight room first-up in the G2 Theo Marks S., Unspoken (Ire) (Territories {Ire}) who resumes off a couple of Randwick trials, New Energy (Ire) (New Bay) who recorded the best final 200 metres in the Theo Marks when resuming and Charterhouse (GB) (Charming Thought {GB}) who is going to be suited by the forecast rain.
Bases Loaded, the current favourite for the G2 Shannon S. at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
It may however be a year for the locally bred horse with the quality performer Celestial Legend (Dundeel {NZ}) boasting good second-up form whilst Bases Loaded (Deep Field) went down fighting in the Theo Marks.
Also good in that race, and without the best of luck, was Coastwatch (Fastnet Rock). Bringing in a different form line is Amor Victorious (Caravaggio {USA}) who rarely runs a poor race.
G3 Sandown S. - form worth following
First run as the Listed GJ Coles S. in 1981 and upgraded to its current Group 3 status just three years later, this 1500-metre quality handicap which has historically been run in mid-November has been won by a number of Group 1 quality horses.
Such as its inaugural winner Tower Belle (Exalt {GB}) as well as Showmeran, Mr Ironclad (NZ), Procol Harum (NZ), Wrap Around (Bletchingly), Cut Up Rough (Blazing Sword), Titanic Jack (Encosta De Lago), Swick (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), Pornichet (Fr) (Vespone {Ire}), Redkirk Warrior (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}) and Fifty Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).
And the last two winners have proven themselves against some of the best as well, Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) successful last year and Gentleman Roy (So You Think {NZ}) the year before.
Eleven horses have accepted for this year’s running, and they are a nice bunch.
Craig (GB), the current favourite for the G3 Sandown S. | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
The New Zealand Group 1 winner Desert Lightning (NZ (Pride Of Dubai) is suited up in trip after racing wide yet still finishing in the thick of things when resuming in the Listed Chautauqua S. at Moonee Valley.
The form from that race is holding up well, Desert Lightning not far behind Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}) who won last weekend’s G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington.
Last year’s G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Griff (Trapeze Artist) strips fitter for his last two whilst Nicolino Vito (Nicconi) was game in defeat last time out.
Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) keeps racing well whilst Craig (GB) (Territories {Ire}) is a horse on the up; yet to miss a placing in six starts. Adding in interest with his Sydney form is Communist (Russian Revolution) who has won a Cranbourne trial since his last run.
Listed Heritage S. - successful trainers coming back for more
Gatsby’s (Snitzel) opened up favourite in this 1100-metre dash for the 3-year-olds, punters willing to overlook his G3 San Domenico S. fourth, noting his previous good form on rain affected going.
Should he succeed, it would be a fourth Heritage S. for Chris Waller who cheered home to victory Home Affairs in 2021, Counterattack in 2015 and Stryker in 2009.
He also saddles up Althoff (Written Tycoon) who didn’t have much luck taking on the older horses when resuming and second-up last time in he won at Group 3 level in Queensland on heavy going.
Gatsby's, the current favourite for the Listed Heritage S. at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) also has wet track form and could not have been any more impressive racing away to a 6l trial victory at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago. His trainer Peter Snowden has also enjoyed success in this race; with Wild Ruler in 2020 and Barbed (Canny Lad) in 2013.
It has been a while between drinks for Gai Waterhouse who won this race in 2008 with Bhutane Dane (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), but she and Adrian Bott look to have a very nice prospect this time around with Ikasara (I Am Invincible) lining up for just his second start.
Too good for Althoff at Rosehill in late April, she raced away to a 6.5l trial win at Warwick Farm two weeks ago.
