Latest News

By Nick Berney

ROSEHILL – VALUE BET: Race 4 # 10 – VIVA MAURICIO

He always indicated he would return improved in his second preparation, and he won with style first-up at Hawkesbury coming in on a strong base figure. The three-year-old relished being on a big track where he was able to build into a rhythm and conserve energy in the middle stages, allowing him to reel off fast closing sectionals. Further, he savaged the line, clocking the meeting's second fastest final 200m split, indicating the rise to 1500m would be ideal second-up. He rises in grade but drops 5kg and maps to be smothered away doing no work. In addition, he’ll need a touch of luck, but he has the ability to blow his rivals away.

Sir Artie (Pic: Bradley Photos).

ROSEHILL – VALUE BET: Race 8 # 12 – SIR ARTIE

He’s ready to win third-up, and both runs this prep have had merit, which suggests he can produce a career peak figure in this assignment. The six-year-old had excuses first-up in a fast time race and then had too much to do last start but caught the eye late, running fast closing sectionals. He’s now at optimal fitness and gets in with no weight after the claim, which will enhance his acceleration/closing speed. In addition, he can rate to win and is proven in all conditions.

ROSEHILL – VALUE BET: Race 9 # 4 – JUST FOLK

He’s been building towards a win this campaign, and this looks a target race for the gelding. The nine-year-old needed his first two runs this prep to build a platform before his effort last start at Flemington in the Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) had merit. Further, he had the bias against leading into the breeze, and he tried hard in the inferior ground before being swamped over the concluding stages. He’s now at optimal fitness, will relish the anticipated fast tempo, and his peak figure came at this track/distance, which rates to win this event.

TAMWORTH – FRIDAY PICK: Race 7 # 8 – LYON

He went to a new level with blinkers on for the first time last start, smashing the clock and running fast time for the day. The gelding relished the high-pressure event and showed a sharp turn of foot, clocking one of the meeting's quickest 400-200m splits before pulling away to win with authority. Further, the form has since been confirmed with runner-up Leovanni subsequently winning last week’s TAB Highway. He faces the same track/distance, and repeating his last start effort will make it hard for him to hold out.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting