By Tom Hackett
Race 1
Menari has impressed all three occasions that he has been seen in public and he is set to start the Canonbury Stakes as a clear favourite. There was a lot to like about the way he found the line last start and he still has plenty of upside. The main danger looks to be Showtime. Showtime finished second behind Luiza in the Kirkham Plate and his recent barrier trial at Rosehill Garden was excellent. Betting will be key for Team Snowden-trained Pariah.
Race 2
The Widden Stakes is a far more competitive race than the Canonbury Stakes and you can make a case for the majority of this field. There has been early money for the debutants Boorooj and Divine Messenger that must be respected, while Teaspoon, One More Honey and Milanese Girl were all impressive on debut. Gai Waterhouse-trained Mystical Gal did not have a great deal of luck when she made her racing debut in the Gimcrack Stakes and she is a much better chance than the current price available indicates.
Clear favourite: Menari is the top pick for the Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill.Credit: bradleyphotos.com.au
Race 3
This is another tough betting race with plenty of winning chances. Choice We Had returns to Rosehill Gardens for the first time since he won at the venue in November and all his best form has been at the trip. Pipeline drops back in class following his luckless victory in the Magic Millions Guineas and a repeat of his best form would make him more than competitive in this race. Dylan's Rojo does not win out of turn, but he is capable of a high-rating performance on his day.
Race 4
Luck in running is always crucial in the Highway Handicap, but there are a couple of horses that really stand out in this week's edition of the race. Ruthless Agent has recorded three wins from as many race starts and he has improved each time that he has been seen at the races. He will need some luck from the wide barrier trial, but he does have plenty of upside. Madame De Ban was not far away in her most recent race start in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill Gardens. She has the benefit of Hugh Bowman in the saddle and she is a mare that never runs a bad race.
Race 5
Echo Effect and Australiana dominate the early betting in this race. Echo Effect returned to the races with a close second at Royal Randwick and should only take benefit from that run. He will likely press forward from the wide barrier draw with Paul King in the saddle. Australiana ran serious time when he made his racing debut at Newcastle on Boxing Day and there was plenty to like about that performance. He makes his own luck right on the speed and Kerrin McEvoy is the perfect jockey for this type of horse.
Race 6
There are only six runners in the Expressway Stakes, but it is still an interesting race. Music Magnate is the class horse in this field and it is not a surprise that he has opened as a clear favourite. His two recent barrier trials have been excellent and this has clearly been a first-up target for some time. Kuro has finally found his best form and he ran some impressive closing to take out the Takeover Target Stakes last start. Handfast failed to fire in the spring, but it would not surprise if he was able to go to another level this preparation.
Race 7
This is another competitive betting race and a number of these horses bring strong form lines into the event. Sewreel made her Australian racing debut with a more than credible performance in the Belle Of The Turf Stakes at Gosford and the form coming out of that race has been good. Montauk finally returned to winning form last start, but his record at Rosehill Gardens is very poor. Harper's Choice was dominant at Canterbury last start and the form around him this preparation has been strong. He will take up the running and should prove tough to catch.
Race 8
Scarlet Rain is the X-factor in this field. She started her career with three wins from as many race starts before she was beaten in the Golden Slipper. She has had throat surgery since her run in the Golden Slipper, but her recent barrier trial at Kembla Grange was excellent. Badajoz returned to the races with a narrow victory at Royal Randwick, but he is a horse that often fails to replicate his fresh effort second-up. Zara Bay is capable of sprinting well fresh and it would not surprise if she produced a strong performance at nice odds.
Race 9
Sezanne is an underrated filly and if she brings her 2016 Spring Racing Carnival form to this race she will be very tough to beat. She was far from disgraced behind Global Glamour and Yankee Rose in the Flight Stakes before Hugh Bowman probably cost her the win in the Moonee Valley Fillies Classic on Cox Plate Day. Your Way is an interesting horse with plenty of upside. She has improved each time that she has been seen at the races and Bjorn Baker is often able to get the best out of these sort of horses.
Content supplied by out commercial partners Ladbrokes.
The ultimate racing form guide with free tips, live odds and alerts for all racing.