Racing and Sports finds the best-backed runners in early betting on Saturday’s meeting at Rosehill.

Track: Soft 7

Rail: True

First race: 11.35am

Star Shaft (Race 3) opened as a joint favourite but steady support has seen him firm up almost a point to take control of the market at $3.80. He has placed at three of four runs this campaign including two other Highway Handicaps and the money suggests he gets his chance to break through.

Thurston (Race 4) has been backed in to joint favouritism at $5 but is still offering good each way value at that quote. He was back in distance when down the track last time but had been beaten less than a length at his previous run at 1800m so looks better placed up to a staying trip.

Obsidian (Race 5) has taken a grip on what was a wide betting race early and has shortened more than a point-and-a-half to a fixed odds quote of $4.40. The American bred import has run on well at his two runs so far this campaign and is expected to be hitting peak fitness third up.

Thud (Race 8) has had some tales of woe to tell so far this campaign but punters are praying she gets some luck this time after backing her in close to a full point into clear favouritism at $2.70. Badly held up at both runs at this track this time in, she still closed within a head last start to achieve the highest last-start rating in this field and should be peaking third up with an extra 150m.

Butterboom (Race 9) has taken over at the head of the market at $4.40 after opening at a quote almost two points longer. Her form has been good this campaign, winning at this track two runs before placing at it last time. She has won three and placed at three of seven runs at the distance and should get similar soft track conditions again.

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