We take another big step towards the Golden Rose on 2024 Run To The Rose Day at Rosehill Gardens!
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Some of the Sydney Spring Carnival's key form races will be contested this week, and we're set for strong editions of the Sheraco Stakes, Ming Dynasty Quality and Theo Marks Stakes on top of the headline feature.
I've run the rule over all ten contests, and you can find all of my Run To The Rose Day Tips below.
Race 1 - 11:50am: Midway Handicap (1200m)
Treize is second-up and strikes a winnable race at Rosehill this week.
The Kermadec mare was a model of consistency last time in, finding form in metro company and around some decent opposition.
Her first run back when fifth, beaten three lengths in a similar race was far, but she's a horse that tends to enjoy good improvement with a run under her belt.
1 Unit E/W Treize
Race 2 - 12:25pm: Highway Handicap (1400m)
Intervarsity looks a winning chance in this week's Highway Handicap.
Intervarsity returned to winning form with an eye-catching effort here two runs back and she was last seen finishing a credible fourth in the Listed Mona Lisa at Wyong.
She's hard fit, this is a genuine drop in class and I can't find a reason why she won't be in the finish.
5 Units Interversity
Race 3 - 1pm: Chandon Handicap (1800m)
Roma Avenue has returned to the races in competitive form this time and strikes another winnable race at Rosehill on Saturday.
Having snuck home in a photo over 1400m here two back, the Star Witness gelding produced another fine performance at a mile last time out to finish third, beaten only a head by Major Beel.
He steps out this week in peak order and I like that he is on the quick back up and getting further out in trip.
2 Units Roma Avenue
Race 4 - 1:35pm: Hot Rod & Custom Show Handicap (2400m)
First Light turned in an improved performance second-up from a spell and I'm keen to stick with him at Rosehill this week.
The Dubawi gelding finished down the order over 1400m when resuming, but hit the line to finish on the placegetters' heels last time out.
A mile and a half looks to suit and Tommy Berry rides from a good draw.
1 Unit First Light
Race 5 - 2:15pm: NSW Thoroughbred Breeders Handicap (1500m)
Vivy Air has drawn awkwardly, but she's third-up and primed to strike on Run To The Rose Day.
Vivy Air turned in some fine performances last time in, placing behind subsequent Group 1 winner Vibrant Sun in the Alexandra Stakes most notably.
Her two runs back from a break have been full of merit and with appropriate luck in running, she's ready to win.
3 Units Vivy Air
Race 6 - 2:50pm: Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m)
Joliestar makes her next eagerly awaited appearance in the Sheraco Stakes and will take a power of beating.
The Zoustar mare has won four of just seven career starts so far, including the Group 1 Thousand Guineas last spring, but her were her first-up demolition job in the Show County Quality a fortnight ago that really got everyone talking.
She strips fitter and will win again in my opinion, so I am going to select her as the winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with Sunshine In Paris running into the first two and Tiz Invincible running into the first four.
Same Race Multi selections:
► No. 3 Joliestar (Win)
► No. 2 Sunshine In Paris (Top 2)
► No. 5 Tiz Invincible (Top 4)
Race 7 - 3:25pm: Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m)
Mayfair looks to be a really good horse on the rise, and he can win the Ming Dynasty Quality.
The Fastnet Rock colt broke his maiden over 1200m here back in July, and he returned from a fresh up to finish second behind Storm Boy in the San Domenico a fortnight ago.
There's no horse of that quality in this field and Mayfair will only improve for that last hit-out.
3 Units Mayfair
Race 8 - 4pm: Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m)
Storm Boy looks to be back in a big way, and he can record another win in the Run To The Rose.
Storm Boy won each of his first four career starts, including the Magic Millions Classic, but he was a beaten favourite in both the Golden Slipper and the ATC Sires' Produce.
Having destroyed them in the San Domenico last month, I'm only expecting improvement this week.
5 Units Storm Boy
Race 9 - 4:40pm: Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m)
Multiple Group 1 winner Celestial Legend makes his early awaited return in this open edition of the Theo Marks.
The Dundeel entire enjoyed a glittering Autumn Carnival preparation this year and recorded consecutive wins in the Randwick Guineas and the Doncaster Mile.
All of that considered, he is actually a horse enjoys sharp second-up improvement, and I'm going to take him on this week with Encap at odds ($14 at publish).
Encap has only won the one race so far, but he's produced some huge efforts in big races previously and is frequently in the finish.
He clearly needed his first run back when seventh, beaten five lengths by Joliestar, but I thought he let down quite nicely that day, and he boasts a competitive second-up record.
1 Unit E/W Encap
Race 10 - 5:15pm: Benchmark 88 Handicap (1100m)
Happy to stick with The Black Cloud when she goes around in the last on Run To The Rose Day.
The Black Cloud has won four of seven career starts so far, finishing second a further two times and finding form around some decent types in races not dissimilar to this one.
She clearly needed her first run back in the Toy Show Quality to tune up, but she's another one with plenty of upside and this is a weaker race.
2 Units E/W The Black Cloud
