Those willing to forgive Rain Affair after the Warwick Stakes could be rewarded when the Joe Pride Speed Machine contests Saturday’s Group 2 Sebring Sprint (1400m) at Rosehill.
Rain Affair was sent out at ridiculous odds last start during the Warwick Stakes (1400m) and looked the winner right up until the final 100m.
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A breakneck tempo during the early stages had to take its toll eventually on the Commands gelding and only succumb to the challenges from Group 1 winning gallopers Veyron and Streama.
Third run from a spell Rain Affair drops back to quality conditions and looks the class runner in the Sebring Sprint.
The Sebring Sprint certainly doesn’t possess the quality of the Warwick Stakes and while carrying more weight than his rivals, that class edge is the key factor.
Rain Affair should be unchallenged up front and ideally, unlike the Warwick Stakes new rider Glyn Schofield can save energy over the middle stages with some cheap sectionals.
From barrier 2, the pair will take up the running with minimal fuss and prove tough to gun down.
Rain Affair has excellent third up credentials and has only tasted defeat once at Rosehill from five starts.
In fact, his best career win was at this track and distance when storming home to claim the 2012 Apollo Stakes which yielded the six-year-old a Timeform figure of 126.
While Rain Affair prefers the sting out of the ground, all three of his wins on firm going have come at Rosehill.
There is enough to suggest the bold frontrunner will return to making all at Rosehill on Saturday.
Speaking of bouncing back, the Peter Snowden-trained Sidestep can put two unlucky outings behind him when third up in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m).
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The Exceed And Excel colt is currently quoted at $13 in early markets and shapes as a sharp improver at Rosehill on Saturday.
Fourth in the The San Domenico first up after a chequered passage in the straight, his latest raceday appearance in the Run To The Rose is simply best forgotten.
Sidestep encountered problems right from the get go, buffeted between runners and shuffled back to worse than midfield.
Then one of the deepest around the home turn, Sidestep was entitled to be a beaten runner soon upon straightening.
The Golden Rose has always been Sidestep’s main goal for the spring and trainer Peter Snowden will no doubt have the colt timed to the minute.
Snowden has an excellent record in the Golden Rose having trained the quinella in the 2012 renewal with Epaulette and Albrecht with other previous winners including Denman (2009) and Forensics (2008).
Sidestep is due for a change of fortunes on Saturday and should get them.
The colt is a tractable sort and McEvoy has options from barrier 2, either keeping Sidestep up in a forward spot out of trouble or further back with the knowledge the Rosehill rail is back in the true position.
Sidestep is the forgotten horse in the Golden Rose all because of one run which can essentially be classified as a non event.
It wasn’t long ago Sidestep followed up a convincing Pago Pago Stakes win by running second in the Golden Slipper. The Golden Slipper effort sees Sidestep boast the highest master Timeform rating of the field.
In a wide open race, a proven Group 1 performer quoted at double figure odds might be the way to go.
Finding a favourite to lay at Rosehill isn’t easy.
Like last Saturday’s Sydney Specials which laid Masahiko to good effect, another each way hope in the resuming Bennetta goes in as the Lay Of The Day.
Bennetta worked through the grades well last campaign with a dominant win in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at this course easily her best.
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She did however hit a wall immediately after that when contesting races such as the Surround Stakes and Coolmore Classic.
The General Nediym mare resumes off a pair of solid trials at Warwick Farm although previous first up runs have come in well below her master Timeform rating.
Appearance, Ichihara and Peron lead a long line of chances in the open contest so tempering expectations about Bennetta first up is advisable.
Sydney Specials
BANKER: R5, #1 Rain Affair @ 2.80
PLAY OF THE DAY: R7, #1 Sidestep @ 13
LAY OF THE DAY: R6, #3 Bennetta @ 4.40
