Peaking at right time
Rosehill, G3 Iron Jack Festival S., $160,000, 1500m
Moss Trip (Mossman) has steadily improved with racing this preparation and should strip at the top of her game here.
She was fourth in the G3 Nivison S. two runs back and then found the line strongly for second in the G2 Hot Danish S. A further increase in trip should only serve to boost her winning chances.
Cellarman (Mossman) won the Listed Ladies’ Day Cup at Hawkesbury so he comes here in great touch. He is also a five-time winner at this trip and three times over this course.
Stablemate Sambro (Fastnet Rock) has been seen to advantage a couple of times first-up and he has two trials under his belt, while Invincible Gem (I Am Invincible) should improve with her latest outing, but will need luck from an awkward alley.
Invincible Gem
Renewal (Dream Ahead {USA}) is racing solidly so no reason not to expect another strong showing and Siren’s Fury (Myboycharlie {Ire}) is talented when caught in the right mood and there was plenty to like about her first-up effort.
Alward well-placed
Rosehill, Listed ATC Cup, $140,000, 2000m
There’s every indication Alward (Ire) (Aqlaam {GB}) can bring his Queensland form to the fore here with the last-start Doomben winner to enjoy a drop in weight and James McDonald guiding his fortunes.
Alward (Ire)
Grey Lion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) wasn’t far away in stronger Melbourne carnival races so he’s a decent each way chance and Emperor’s Way (Roman Emperor {NZ}) is honest and at least a strong place hope.
Taikomochi (Snitzel) was unplaced but not far off the winner in The Gong and the extra trip suits, while Admire Winner (Jpn) (Workforce {GB}) could be the best upset chance. He has turned in a handy trial since last racing.
Leading prospect
Rosehill, Listed Drinkwise Starlight S., $140,000, 1100m
Sandbar (Snitzel) was a last-start winner over this course and distance, he looks a solid chance of making two on the bounce.
Bon Amis (Bon Hoffa) was third when resuming in The Hunter and has a good second-up record, while Baller (High Chaparral {Ire}) is fresh and a talented sprinter at best.
Special Missile (Smart Missile) is fresh and has looked good in a couple of recent trials and Passage Of Time (Northern Meteor) is another back from a break with trial form and he’s a past first-up winner.
Special Missile
Nicholas can go again
Ellerslie, G3 Eagle Technology S., NZ$70,000, 1600m
Go Nicholas (NZ) (Danroad) might be an 8-year-old, but he’s been in outstanding touch this preparation and comes here with a hat-trick of wins to his credit.
He was successful at Tauranga and the gelding’s last two victories have been over this course and distance. He is also well-placed under the conditions of this race so his hot run can continue.
The Mitigator (Master Of Design) is a free-running type who was runner-up in the G3 Red Badge Sprint and second again in the G2 Tauranga S. It took a smart one in Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) to beat him last time so he’s right in the hunt again.
Supera (NZ)
The interesting runner is Demonetization (All Too Hard), who is resuming and if he brought his A-game he’d be a major threat, while Aim Smart (Smart Missile) did well to finish third on this track last time after blowing the start.
Intrigue (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) is a progressive mare and she’s highly-regarded, as her nominations for a number of summer features indicates. She’s fresh enough to be competitive over a mile.
Dragon to fire
Ellerslie, Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial 3YO, NZ$50,000, 1500m
Dragon Leap (Pierro) was hugely impressive when he came from the back to win on debut at Te Rapa. That was achieved in the style of horse destined to make his mark in much better company.
The same can be said of the fillies Grand De Flora (NZ) (Savabeel) and Celestial Nymph (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) as they both kicked off their careers with stylish first-up wins.
Tears Of Jupiter (Zoustar) broke her maiden on this course well enough to rate a chance again, while Mongolian Heaven (NZ) (Savabeel) would no doubt have gained confidence from an overdue last-start success.
Red Sierra fancied
Wanganui, Listed Steelform Roofing Wanganui Cup, NZ$50,000, 2040m
Red Sierra (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) won the Egmont Cup convincingly and then had no luck when unplaced in the G3 OMF S. She should have finished closer and this is a step back in class.
Mauna Kea (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has enjoyed a good preparation, but the question mark would be the firmer ground here and a better chance might be Sampson (NZ) (Dubai Destination {USA}), who has beaten far stronger fields than this and he’s had the benefit of a resuming run.
Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has been disappointing, but a most recent fourth indicated she is on the verge of winning form again and Portland Jimmy (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu {NZ}) and Yatima (NZ) (Savabeel) are strong lightweight hopes off last-start wins.
Sentimental Miss (NZ)
