Selections, best bets and value plays from Chris Scholtz for the Winter Challenge meeting at Rosehill on July 20 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.
RACE 1 (2) MAWJOOD: Promising son of Tassort was gelded after his first start in February and has shown the benefit winning two trials before resuming with a dominant win over 1100m at Warwick Farm after racing wide. He let down easily in the heavy ground to beat a subsequent winner and can only improve on that performance stepping up to 1200m.
RACE 5 (7) WILD BOTANICA: Honest mare deserving of a win after three strong efforts since resuming in reliable form races over 1000m and 1100m. Respect for the Melbourne form of JEWELLERY but this mare can exploit her 2.5kg weight advantage as she s ready for a peak performance stepping up to 1200m for the first time this prep.
RACE 6 (9) IN FLIGHT: Joe Pride has this filly in rare form and it’s no surprise she is backing up in a bid to win her fourth successive race after her resounding success against her own age at Randwick last Saturday under 60kg. This is the first time she has been asked to race twice in a week but she is low flying and it’s obvious Pride wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to go after another win when she will carry only 52.5kg against an average open company field over a course and distance where she has won two of her three starts.
RACE 1: (2) MAWJOOD; (8) Sensational Wind; (1) Getafix; (3) Mayfair
RACE 2: (7) ZARIZATYCOON; (11) Lonhro’s Queen; (1) Lisztomania; (6) King Larry
RACE 3: (40 DIAMOND MODEL; (15) Union Army; (2) Silvanito; (1) Navy Blood
RACE 4: (9) IMPOSANT; (1) Pure Alpha; (2) Headley Grange; (4) Carrazana
RACE 5: (7) WILD BOTANICA; (4) Jewellery; (9) Miss Jennifer; (8) Llanddwyn
RACE 6: (9) IN FLIGHT; (2) Contemporary; (7) Jedibeel; (1) Sivka Bubka
RACE 7: (2) AGE OF SAIL; (1) Strathtay; (3) Kureder; (4) Perfect Play
RACE 8: (11) WAR ETERNAL; (6) King Of The Castle; (13) Testator Silens; (1) Tamerlane
RACE 9: (9) WITH YOUR BLESSING; (3) Chorlton Lane; (8) Elson Boy; (10) Danaustar
RACE 10: (14) SMASHIMG EAGLE; (15) Union Army; (7) Willaidow; (17) Iron Man
RACE 2: (7) ZARIZATYCOON – Unbeaten 4YO has delivered strong front running wins on affected tracks in his only two starts. Expect him to pressure speedy rivals.
RACE 3: (4) DIAMOND MODEL – Well placed to end run of minor placings. Rawiller’s preferred ride with a 3KG weight drop.
RACE 4: (9) IMPOSANT – Strong second up win over 1400m. Holds ample scope for improvement.
RACE 7: (2) AGE OF SAIL – The 2400m looks the right trip for this import by Frankel. His best UK form is over this distance.
RACE 8: (11) WAR ETERNAL – Went to a new peak with his over the top win last Saturday under 58.5kg. Can do it again dropping to the limit.
RACE 9: (9) WITH YOUR BLESSING – Rates well off his latest Randwick placing when wide. Better for the run and drawn to enjoy a soft passage.
RACE 10: (14) SMASHING EAGLE – Always puts in on his home track. Up to 1200m with pace on will suit.
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – July 13-16
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Sensational Wind (R1); Getafix (R1); Mergeila (R1); Union Army (R3/R10); Iron Man (R3/R10); Sivka Bubka (R6)
WYONG SATURDAY: Majorca Sunset (R2); He’s In Like Flynn (R3); Misty Legend (R5)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Hot Jive; Fortingall; It’s A Knockout; Sakima; Xidaki; Yorkshire; Contemporary; Shezanalister; Brave One; Are Ee Que; Extremely Hardys; Bartolf; Photograph; Nomorenightshift; Metallic Ruler; Kazou; Ride The River; Drift Net; Mawjood; Glassout; Wollombi; Cindersea; Iron Man; Summer Loving; C’Est Magique; Merchant Lad
ROSEHILL July 12: A strong tick over trial from lightly raced 4YO IRON MAN to keep him up to the mark since his win at Canterbury last month. Settled at the rear before sprinting home strongly for an impressive third in the fastest 900m heat (55.06; 35.09).
HAWKESBURY July 8: Unraced MAJORCA SUNSET, a 2YO gelding by The Autumn Sun, showed nice improvement off two earlier trial placings to easily beat three rivals in the fastest of the four heats over 980m 60.13; 34.78). He looks ready to go to the races. HE’S IN LIKE FLYNN is another unraced fast runner from this local stable that will capture the attention of agents. Placed in two earlier trials, this Showtime gelding turned on the jets in his first trial for 17 weeks to run away with his 800m heat by more than five lengths in the fastest time of the session (47.31; 33.13).
WYONG June 19: Promising first local trial from imported stakeswinning mare SIVKA BUBKA. She boasts three wins and four placings from her 10 starts in Europe including a Listed win at Deauville and a G3 placing in Germany and should measure up well in local mares company after working nicely to the line under a soft ride for a strong second in her open heat over 845m (52.18; 35.21)
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – July 18-20
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Daytona (R1/R6); Manhood (R5); Sharp Dazzler (R7)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Wertheimer (R8); Amigo (R9)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Silvanito (R3); Age Of Sail (R7); Kapakiri (R7); Blaze A Trail (R8); More Secrets (R8); Rain Lord (R10)
BLACKBOOKERS – Selected July 13
BROSNAN; HELLAVADANCER; KADALL; PIASTRI; ROGUE BEAR; THE ENGLISHMAN; UNANIMOUS
(Follow for next 3 starts)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Batrana; Aramco; Don Diego De Vega; Rezone; Wyclif; Matisse; Tiffany Valentine; Craig; Celebrity Prince; Arqana; Freedom Rally; Mnementh; Piggyback; Yellow Brick; Cigar Flick; I Wish I Win; Mayfair Spirit; Payline; Nicolini Vita; Generosity; Bittersweet; Tannhauser; Unusual Legacy