Gai Waterhouse runners should feature prominently throughout the Rosehill program on Saturday with Julienas appearing set to post an overdue win in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m).
The UK import has been a model of consistency this campaign, placing in his latest run in the Kingston Town Stakes behind the highly promising Prince Cheri.
Julienas beat a main rival on that occasion here in Less Is More by one length and meets him on the same weight terms.
It also appears Julienas possesses more upside heading into the Colin Stephen Quality than the second elect in betting.
Julienas now gets out to arguably his best trip in the Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) where he should have the measure of his six remaining rivals.
The Cape Cross gelding will be somewhere around peak fitness at this stage of his campaign and looks well suited in an event where the weights are compressed in his favour.
Needless to say, the addition of Nash Rawiller is a huge boost with the pair having combined on eight occasions for two wins and four minor placings.
The track and distance credentials of Julienas also auger well for his chances on Saturday.
On paper, the race lacks any early speed so expect Julienas and Nash to have free reign and likely settle in the first pair.
Second in the 2012 running of the Colin Stephen Quality behind Kelinni, expect Julienas to go one better 12 months later.
Stablemate Knight Exemplar looks well over the odds in The Paslode Sprint Benchmark 85 Handicap (1100m).
The well bred son of Exceed And Excel has been given a let up since a respectable sixth in the Show County Quality (1200m) last month behind Rebel Dane.
The field also possessed the likes of Norzita, subsequent Tramway Stakes winner Malavio and Sebring Stakes winner Riva De Lago among others.
Dropping back to Benchmark 85 company, the form certainly looks strong with Knight Exemplar clearly possessing the highest 50 day Timeform figure of this field.
Tommy Berry will send Knight Exemplar forward and the pair will be in it for a long way.
Knight Exemplar is an interesting horse having long promised the world but delivered an atlas.
The four-year-old has proven competitive at Group level in the past and should be giving an honest account of himself in the final event at Rosehill on Saturday.
In the opening event of the program, I just cannot bring myself to taking the $1.40 about Ecuador.
Whilst a very promising type, $1.40 is under the odds.
Ecuador has won his last two races by a combined margin of seven lengths and has run strong time figures in the process.
On Saturday Ecuador has his fourth start over the course of five weeks in the Kari Aboriginal Resources Inc. Handicap (1900m).
Rising in class and trip, it is clearly the four-year-olds toughest assignment to date and comes up against a five pronged Chris Waller attack.
While Ecuador enjoyed a soft kill against Diamond Jim last start, the likes of Junoob and Mulaqen each resumed well contesting tougher races and are perhaps open to more improvement earlier in their campaigns.
Ecuador gives them 5.5kg and 3kg respectively at the weights while he meets Multilateral 6kg worse than when they first clashed two starts ago.
With the advantage of weight in numbers, Team Waller can use that to their benefit before having a final shot at Ecuador in the straight.
While he goes in as the lay of the day, Ecuador takes this role in the Sydney Specials due to his ludicrously short price, not because he cannot win.
Rosehill possesses a strong eight race program and the last thing punters should have to do is chase their losses on a $1.40 shot getting rolled in the first.
Besides, winning on a $1.40 shot is about as satisfying as a warm beer on a Summer’s Day.
Unless they wind Ecuador’s price out a bit closer to even money, perhaps just use the watch on approach in the first at Rosehill this Saturday.
SYDNEY SPECIALS
BANKER: R3, #1 Julienas @ $3.00
PLAY OF THE DAY: R8, #9 Knight Exemplar @ $7.50
LAY OF THE DAY: R1, #1 Ecuador @ $1.40
