By Nick Berney
ROSEHILL GARDENS – BEST BET: Race 9 # 14 – SHANGRI LA SPRING
He sets up well for this assignment and is going much better than the form guide reads. The four-year-old was building towards a peak performance before his last start, where he had no luck in The Golden Eagle (1500m) after being posted wide out on a limb throughout. Prior to that effort, he was racing over unsuitable trips, and his ratings/sectional profile suggested he was looking for more ground. Further, his career peak came over this distance last campaign, and his tick-over trial between runs displayed he was ready to bounce back to that level. The Waterhouse & Bott galloper will roll forward from the inside draw with no weight, and Tim Clark takes back over the riding duties. Expect him to take some catching.

Blue Willow (Pic: Bradley Photos).
ROSEHILL GARDENS – VALUE BET: Race 10 # 16 – BLUE WILLOW
She was heavily backed first-up when making her debut for her new trainer, Ciaron Maher, but had excuses when running on for third. The Godolphin galloper had the pace/bias against and never looked comfortable on the shifty surface. Further, she only had the one trial leading in and will be much fitter for that outing. She gets in with a lightweight, which will enhance her closing speed, and she can run over the top of her rivals.
ROSEHILL GARDENS – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 4 # 5 – BELLE DETELLE
She's ready to peak third-up and has been running hidden closing sections in both runs this campaign, despite multiple factors against her. The mare wasn't suited first-up over the 1500m and was solid in the market last start, but was completely unsuited to the race shape. Further, although finishing seventh, she was mathematically out of it, but she clocked some of the meetings' quickest closing sectionals. She now has the platform to improve and can settle closer from an inside draw, which is an advantage from the tricky Rosehill 1800m start.
CANTERBURY – FRIDAY NIGHT PICK: Race 2 # 10 – SNITZEL MISS
She's a nice type coming through a high-rating race, and all key indicators suggested she would improve from her first-up run. The filly only had the one quiet trial leading in, was drawn awkwardly, and although drifting late in the trade, her run had merit. She wasn't suited to the race shape; she sprinted one of the meetings' fastest 400m-200m splits but peaked late, albeit maintaining a solid finishing speed to the line. The Chris Waller galloper is suited under the set weights, maps to have all the favours, and is expecting to run to a career peak in this event.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting