Rosehill profiles as something of a trap meeting on Saturday where looking for value shapes as the way to go.
The meeting lacks an apparent, watertight ‘good thing’ through its nine races so we’ll run with a couple who look over the odds.
Firsthand is one of them who contests the November Handicap (1400m).
The son of Star Witness goes into the race third up after a closing fifth in a 1200m Benchmark 94 at Randwick last start.
The Team Hawkes-trained runner blew the start by three lengths on that occasion and then proceeded to travel wide at the tail of the field.
He worked into the race well however and was beaten less than a length.
It represented solid improvement on his first up display and the lightly-raced sprinter can take another step in the right direction here.
Firsthand is yet to run out of the money in three prior third up outings and tends to perform well at Rosehill.
From barrier 2, Tommy Berry has options. While the gelding has been settling back of late, he does have the ability to perform well when ridden positively.
Just into each way territory at $6.00, ideally the race which is currently comprised of eight horses won’t lose any more entrants after the scratching of Jungle Edge.
Deft contests Race 8, the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) after a strong first up win at Canterbury.
The daughter of Exceed and Excel defeated Sedition on that occasion who has since come out and run second at this course last Saturday. Third placegetter Nictock gets his chance to frank the form in Race 7 this afternoon.
James Cummings has seemingly found the right race for Deft second up who returns to her own sex and rises 100m in trip.
Brenton Avdulla rides who has partnered the four-year-old through her last four runs for two wins and as many placings.
The eighth event on the card features as overwhelming favourite in Seasons so there is plenty of value to be had if you believe the Les Bridge-trained mare is vulnerable first up.
Sydney Specials: Rosehill – November 17
Each Way Play #1: R5; #6 Firsthand @ $6.00
Each Way Play #2: R8; #4 Deft @ $7.00
