A strong eight race card greets racegoers at Rosehill on Saturday where Suit can get things off to a flyer for punters in the opening event.
The Peter Snowden-trained colt returned to the Sydney racing scene for his last start when dominating a similar contest to this.
Sitting outside the well supported filly and pacesetter Runway Star, a dominant three length success ensued.
Suit now rises marginally in both distance and weight however still shapes as being hard to beat contesting the Blackwoods Pacific Hoists Handicap (1300m).
The Lonhro colt is currently vying for favouritism in the event with the Chris Waller-trained Black Revolver.
Black Revolver won well on debut however only ran to a Timeform figure of 86 opposed to Suit who now boasts a master rating of 97 after his latest success.
While Suit gives Black Revolver 3.5kg, the topweight still appears to have the edge necessary for a second straight success.
Christian Reith produced perfect ride aboard Suit last start and ideally Kerrin McEvoy will attempt to replicate it on Saturday.
From barrier 7, the pair should roll forward and sit outside the lead before dashing away in the straight.
A successful Play Of The Day in Sydney Specials a fortnight ago, Ninth Legion again fits a similar mould in Saturday’s Listed Festival Stakes (1500m).
We discussed how Ninth Legion had a sense of timing to him in the 1350m Open Handicap at Rosehill last start and the Fastnet Rock gelding has similar appear in Saturday’s feature event.
Ninth Legion was gelded during his latest spell and the decision has reaped dividends for connections.
The four-year-old has improved with each run and has the potential to take the next step in Saturday’s feature race.
Ninth Legion last start ran to a Timeform rating of 105. What’s likeable about this figure is how the son of Fastnet Rock has improved with each outing since resuming over an unsuitable trip in the Lightning Handicap (1100m).
The Segenhoe Thoroughbreds-raced gelding possesses a peak figure of 112 yielded when finishing fourth in the 2012 Golden Rose (1300m) which suggests Ninth Legion still has room for further improvement this campaign.
Saturday’s Festival Stakes will boast a capacity field of 15 horses and Ninth Legion appears well suited in the affair.
Those below Ninth Legion sit outside of the handicap including favourites Terravista and White Sage.
Also in his favour is barrier 4 and from there Ninth Legion should be afforded the run of the race in a contest where there will be plenty of hustle and bustle.
Jockey Tommy Berry will likely settle Ninth Legion handy and the pair should be looming large upon straightening.
A quick scan of markets on Friday morning and the best price about Ninth Legion is an impressive $13.
Whether straight out or each way take it and expect Ninth Legion to run a bold race for you.
After serving Sydney punters so well this campaign, now might be the time to get off Terravista who as mentioned earlier is favourite for the Festival Stakes.
Terravista opened as outright favourite for the event quoted at $3.20.
He now shares favouritism with White Sage however all signs point to both of them requiring new master Timeform figures to be claiming their first stakes level success on Saturday.
Both sit well outside of the handicap although White Sage possesses the highest master figure by three pounds after her latest success at Rosehill a fortnight ago.
Terravista has shown gradual improvement this campaign with his latest success at Randwick assessed at 98.
The Joe Pride-trained four-year-old showed a three pound improvement on his first up run two back at Randwick before producing an effort five pounds superior on the Kensington track seven days ago.
The lowest winning rating of the Festival Stakes since the turn of the decade was 106 when claimed by Voice Commander in 2008.
Eight of the past ten Festival Stakes winners have claimed the event with a Timeform figure 110 or superior.
Terravista brings both class and distance queries with him into the Festival Stakes this weekend and for that reason is the Lay Of The Day.
Sydney Specials
Banker: Race 1, #1 Suit @ $3.10
Play Of The Day: Race 6, #11 Ninth Legion @ $13.00
Lay Of The Day: Race 6, #15 Terravista @ $3.40
