The quality and excitement of ‘The Championships’ becomes a distant memory when looking at the underwhelming program on offer at Rosehill.
Sydney racegoers have been spoilt with some of Australia’s best gallopers gracing Rosehill and Randwick through March and April.
As they head north for the Brisbane winter carnival or go out for a deserved spell, Rosehill on Saturday is left with large fields of typical off season types.
It is shaping as a tough program where looking for value is probably the way to go.
Leading trainer Chris Waller saddles up 18 runners throughout the program and boasts a particularly strong team in the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m).
Waller has six in the event arguably spearheaded by I’m Imposing.
The old timer has returned in good order this campaign, surprising everyone with a first up placing before an unlucky fifth in the JRA Plate.
Wide throughout, the final furlong was always going to prove a test for the eight-year-old and while fighting on well, ran out of steam lat.
I’m Imposing will have at least taken fitness from the run and third up can bounce back in the Lord Mayor’s Cup.
It’s not a great field, comprised largely of exposed types with more than half of the field sitting noticeably outside the handicap.
I’m Imposing’s stablemate Permit compresses the weights ideally for the Danehill Dancer gelding and other Waller runners including Wazn and Secessio.
While Secessio is probably still one run short, I’m Imposing seemingly finds his right race third run from a spell.
Jim Cassidy jumps back aboard and from barrier 1 the pair should enjoy all of the favours in transit.
I’m Imposing possesses solid course and distance credentials and looks well suited to justify his current status as favourite.
Forster can continue on his winning ways in the Candana Bathrooms Benchmark 85 Handicap (1200m).
The Team Hawkes-trained sprinter was a convincing winner last start at Canterbury over 1250m.
While not up against a great deal, it was a clinical success suggestive of a horse in store for a strong winter campaign.
Forster takes on stronger company here however will strip fitter third run from a spell and carries absolutely nothing on his back thanks to the 3kg claim of Taylor Marshall.The form of the Hawkes stable so far this season has been well documented while the rider of Forster on Saturday is also in the process of forging a good reputation for himself.
The young hoop has ridden 37 winners so far this season at a respectable strike rate.
Marshall has ridden two midweek metropolitan winners in just five rides and Forster on Saturday may just be his first Saturday city success.
Blackboard Special is currently favourite in the Ken Callander Fellowship 3YO Benchmark 80 Handicap (1200m).
The Wayne Lawson-trained gelding has shown a lot of promise and last start was rattling home late into third at Eagle Farm.
The Ken Callander Fellowship Benchmark 85 Handicap is an open sort of contest which features the stakes winning filly Romantic Moon, plus the stakes placed Gai Waterhouse duo of Shahad and Rockford.
Add to the line up promising sorts such as Sabino Speed, Oxford Poet and Kraftwerk amongst others and the fourth race at Rosehill shapes as one of the better events on the program.
All of the above mentioned horses possess a higher weight adjusted 12 month Timeform figure than Blackboard Special who rates poorly amongst this field on disclosed form.
He sits well outside of the handicap and simply hasn’t done enough to justify favouritism in this contest.
Blackboard Special shapes as a false favourite in the event and subsequently there are plenty of winning chances going around at very juicy odds.
Shop around and see what you can find.
Sydney Specials
Banker: R6, #2 I’m Imposing @ $3.20
Play Of The Day: R7, #8 Forster @ $4.20Lay Of The Day: R4, #12 Blackboard Special @ $4.20
