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By Ray Hickson

2. Crocodile will probably be seen to advantage if he can replicate the racing style he showed in his soft Hawkesbury maiden win when jumping to this trip. He sailed along in front there and was far too good for probably lesser rivals and it was a heavy 10. Good chance he rolls along on the speed here and will give a good sight in a race with low confidence levels.

Dangers: 5. Crusader Voyage was a big drifter in betting, and James McDonald was riding, on debut at Canterbury and he stuck on okay for a close third over the 1250m. Looks advantaged by the extra ground and draws to get another nice run so he has scope for improvement. 1. Regulated Affair arrives at 1400m which he’s always appeared to be looking for and he’s had a tickover trial since his fourth behind Agarwood at Randwick on that testing heavy track. He was also a significant drifter and worked to the line fairly well. No excuses here and he’s entitled to run well. 8. Scoop The Pool is the unknown quantity on debut after a few trials and based on them it looks as though the trip should suit him fresh. Any support would be significant.

How to play it: Crocodile WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

9. Plenitude has been excellent in his two most recent Highway runs where he’s been dictated to by the inside barrier. Burst up on the inside last start at Randwick, which was the questionable ground, and ran right up to the each-way support. Handles 1400m and has a more favourable set up drawing a few off the fence. Good chance to break through.

Dangers: 6. Super Norwest comes through the same race and she say three wide on the speed when runner-up, just ahead of Plenitude. Again draws wide but does roll forward and her chances come down to where she lands in the run. If she has that early fortune she’ll take beating. 21. Pharoahzano ran a big race in the Highway at Hawkesbury then stepped to the mile at Scone and faded after racing handy. Both wins have been at 1400m and on his run two back has to be considered. 16. Midnight Luna won first-up then did a good job at Goulburn making her run nearer the inside before trying to get out to the better ground while the winner 5. Hell Of A Fox sailed down the outside fence. Not much between the pair here given their respective draws.

How to play it: Plenitude EACH-WAY ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Tough Midway this week and 5. African Daisy looks a good each-way hope fresh. Clearly didn’t come up last preparation and was spelled after just two runs. Good signs in her comfortable trial win earlier this month and she does usually perform fresh, draws well and has the claim for an in-form apprentice. Has run well in higher grade and if she can find something like her best she’ll feature.

Dangers: 13. Let’s Go Again has struck form in her last couple and looked the winner fleetingly before being reeled in by Lady Extreme over 1100m two weeks ago. Similar task here and the extra 100m won’t hurt. Logical threat. 1. Monte Kate was a Midway winner from on speed at Gosford before stepping up in class and holding on okay here two weeks ago. Entitled to another chance. 2. Silentsar is an interesting runner, he’s fresh and generally puts in under those circumstances. Handy enough trial recently behind World Alliance, who won at Canterbury on Monday, and has a case.

How to play it: African Daisy EACH-WAY ($10 TAB Fixed Odds).

11. Tasoraay is one of a few progressive looking types in this event and while he’s coming off a Scone Class 2 win it was a little stronger than usual given it was Cup Day. He led all the way there and did it quite easily, drops 1.5kg and his form around the likes of Raikkonen from last prep reads well. Drawn to effect and has every chance to measure up.

Dangers: 13. Oui Oui Oui falls into the same category, she showed a glimpse with a cheeky midfield finish in the Hawkesbury Guineas then possible ridden a little upside down when too good for Class 1 company at the same venue. No surprise to see her in the finish.3. Hell To Pay stalked the speed and broke through for a popular win at Canterbury third-up after a couple of seconds. Should get a similar sort of run from a handy draw so the platform is there to run well. 6. Don’t Forget Jack blew the start when favourite here two weeks ago and jumps to 1400m now so may be worth another look.

How to play it: Tasoraay WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Codetta was supported when she resumed at this track and distance and she caught the eye when she got across heels to storm into second place. She’s unbeaten second-up and while stays at the 1100m she meets the winner 2kg better. Talented filly on the up and with even luck she goes very close.

Dangers: 9. King’s Secret can’t be knocked after winning that race, he sat handy in the heavy ground and did a good job in his own right. Maps to get a similar run and Codetta will have to run past him to beat him. 3. Winning Proposal has been a little costly but she can be forgiven for a disappointing effort when favourite behind Storm The Ramparts three weeks back. Gate one might be a plus for her and not prepared to drop right off just yet. 10. Martini Mumma is seven weeks between runs and she didn’t have any favours when she last raced at Randwick, sitting wide, and to finish midfield was a pass mark. Just needs to turn things around a bit but has that opportunity.

How to play it: Codetta WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

This might be the day for 6. Little Cointreau who is looking to get away from a heavy track. He handles it, he just doesn’t relish it and that was evident last start when solidly supported into favourite. Ran well to finish third and now he has that continuity in his preparation, a better track and a perfect draw he has the right set up.

Dangers: 10. Pure Alpha is hard to leave out of the chances, he managed to sneak past Little Cointreau late and run second. He’s becoming a little on the enigmatic side lately but stays under notice for sure. 5. Mickey’s Medal sat three wide throughout but was comfortable and proved a bit too good over this course two weeks ago. Rises in class but drawn well and is generally honest. 2. Chica Mojito is six weeks between runs since her first-up third at Hawkesbury behind Cool Jakey. Was a drifter and safely held in third but a firmer track might be in her favour and her best form has her in the mix.

How to play it: Little Cointreau WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

It’s not ideal having to carry 61kg but 1. Testator Silens is very good value. He’s been eye-catching over shorter trips in his two runs back in the Hawkesbury Rush and then behind Storm The Ramparts when back to 1000m three weeks ago. This is more his go distance wise, he loves the sting out of the track and suspect there’ll be enough speed to give him the chance to hit the line. If they go slow he is effective racing close to the speed. Has to run well again.

Dangers: 7. Unstopabull had his momentum stopped briefly in the straight when third behind Kerguelen second-up but he might well be suited settling a bit further back and charging late. If he gets those breaks he can be in the finish. 5. King Of Roseau shouldn’t be judged on his failure at Randwick on a very heavy track last start. Prior to that he was closing in on a win with a nice second behind Raikkonen at Gosford. Better conditions suit him and he has to be given another shot. 11. Snack Bar was beaten as favourite in his first two runs back then a $14 chance when fourth behind a smart one at Caulfield. Draws well and has the claim but needs to produce his best here.

How to play it: Testator Silens EACH-WAY ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Touristic put it all together to win the Lord Mayors Cup two weeks ago and if the same horse turns up then he can repeat the dose. It all worked out perfectly for him despite not being a lover of heavy ground and he was so dominant running away from them at the finish. Hard to see 2400m being an issue, his only attempt at that range was a close second to Deny Knowledge in last year’s Grafton Cup. Take beating.

Dangers: 6. Don Diego De Vega has three and a half lengths to make up on Touristic for the Lord Mayors Cup where he ran on late to finish fourth. Has a 3kg turnaround in his favour and draws well, he’s lightly raced and is open to improvement second-up. 5. Bear On The Loose is on trial at the trip after he slogged it out at Randwick on the very heavy ground three weeks ago with Glory Daze just getting past him late. That horse ran third in the Lord Mayors Cup to tie the form in. Will give a sight. 1. Changingoftheguard resumes at 2400m with one trial and represents a bit of class on his European form which admittedly is getting a bit old now. Right trip for him to be competitive.

How to play it: Touristic WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. Half Yours was responsible for a big effort, coupled with a daring ride, when he circled the field and just kept going to win easily over 1800m two weeks ago. He was six weeks between runs and up in distance so if he was going to be vulnerable that’s the sort of scenario to think that way. It’ll be interesting to see what tactics are applied this time around but 2000m should be no issue and he can only be fitter.

Dangers: 11. Assailant brings different form into this race with a sound Australian debut third at Canterbury over 1550m. He drops 4kg and rises to a much better distance range for him. Should only improve on what he did fresh and could be a big threat. 8. Cormac T was sitting up outside the leader when Half Yours made his move last time and he was clearly outsprinted there, holding on okay for third. Close to a peak now fourth-up and drawn to get that nice run again so is in the mix. 16. Misterkipchoge did what he does best as he ran on when it was all over into fourth in that race and he did get close to Cormac T on the line. If things fall into place it wouldn’t shock to see him win but is an each-way chance as usual.

How to play it: Half Yours WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Have to stick with 8. Weeping Woman despite the wide barrier. It may not be too bad for her as she does generally go forward and there’s not exactly high speed drawn underneath aside from probably her stablemate. Heavily backed there first-up and while she had her chance she was 1200m on a heavy track fresh so the better ground is a plus and with even luck she’ll be right there.

Dangers: 1. Watch My Girl tracked wide when coming off a two month break into the Dark Jewel at Scone and no surprise to see her weaken. Much easier here and she was a winner last time she tackled this sort of grade. So she could easily bounce back. 6. Hellbent On You found herself on the wrong part of the track when a sound enough fourth behind Miss Kim Kar at Randwick. Beat a subsequent winner prior to that and she’s so consistent she has to be given some thought on an each-way basis. Big watch if 11. Sacred Rocks lines up, impressed as an odds-on favourite first-up at Sale but has that wide draw with no jockey booked.

How to play it: Weeping Woman WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

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