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By Ray Hickson

This looks a race up for grabs and 6. Alphard did more than enough on debut at Canterbury, without any luck at all, to say he has some ability. Travelled well into the straight then ran into a brick wall, had to stop and lose all momentum before closing off again to hold fourth. Could face a similar problem from barrier one and would like to see some support for him but a good each-way chance.

Dangers: 10. Sapling was far too good leading all the way to win a Wyong maiden as favourite after being narrowly denied the start before. Back to 1200m but imagine she goes forward and gets her chance to step up. 11. Spice Prawn clearly has some ability despite being unplaced in both runs in her first preparation. Both trials have been sound and if she lines up from the wide gate it says the stable thinks she’s a winning chance. 5. Without Peer is an interesting first starter, he wasn’t overly pressured in heavy ground in his latest trial over a short trip and he’d be one to keep an eye on.

How to play it: Alphard EACH-WAY ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

11. Pretty Tavi is bursting to win one of these races and she might have come across the right set up for her with a soft draw and a reasonably good track. Found a spot a bit too far off the pace under the circumstances there first-up, loomed like she might sprint past them then flattened out beaten under a length. Has shown she can be closer and is a good chance.

Dangers: 2. Denman Star appreciated a fast run race and was able to sweep down the outside to win first-up at Canterbury with the runner-up a subsequent winner. Interesting to see if he can make use of a better gate and be that length or two closer but either way he has a strong case. 6. Harry’s Bar was sent out favourite in that event at Canterbury and perhaps a shade disappointing in running fourth, though not beaten far. She rarely runs a bad race and will be around the mark again. 1. Rolling Magic was advantaged by landing on the back of the speed when winning the Midway at Rosehill four weeks ago. Stays at 1300m and draws out so that has to be a concern but another consistent type.

How to play it: Pretty Tavi EACH-WAY ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Highway Strip has a significant gear change that hopefully means he’s on track to live up to the potential he’s shown to date. That’s the concussion plates coming off, meaning his feet are in good order and the niggles he was reported to be battling are in the past. With that in mind to get as close as he did to Clear Thinking after drawing near the outside in his last run back in January it speaks to his ability. Trials have been good, he’s drawn well and he has to be the horse to beat.

Dangers: 1. First Landing faces a task from the wide gate with 61.5kg (weight less of an issue with Bullock riding) but he brings some strong form into the race having chased Storm The Ramparts home in Benchmark 78 grade two weeks ago. Any luck and he’s a major threat. 9. Pony Soprano hasn’t raced since finishing midfield in the Country Championships at Port Macquarie back in February. He did win well fresh leading into that race. Recent trial winner and worth keeping an eye on. 13. Cool Storm has had a stable change since failing in two runs last time in. Go back to her previous prep and she placed in two particularly handy Highways. On that form she’s far from out of it.

How to play it: Highway Strip WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Mr Verse is lightly raced and while unsuited at the 1200m first-up he was well supported and managed to get the job done at the Sunshine Coast two weeks ago. Much fitter, blinkers go on and out to a more favourable trip are all pluses. Barrier might be a shade tricky but it’s the fairest starting point at Rosehill so he’ll have his chance.

Dangers: 1. Don’t Forget Jack creeps up in weights again after a closing second behind Puntin at 1400m a month ago. That form is solid as he was strong winning here two weeks earlier. He can make some use of gate one and is the logical danger. 5. Tasoraay was disappointing as favourite in that race but it’s significant he didn’t lead there and while he had his chance in the run he couldn’t quicken. Expect he’ll lead from the wide gate and could take some running down. 11. Sister Daae finished off well when the race was over second-up and the rise in trip is a plus for her while 7. Hopper could be a big improver.

How to play it: Mr Verse WIN ($7 TAB Fixed Odds).

10. Axius looks a progressive type and he was quite arrogant in winning first-up at Kensington, beating a subsequent winner. He quickened nicely on that occasion from off the speed whereas he’d led in his previous preparation. Draw gives him the option, expect he’ll sit just off the pace and be hard to hold off.

Dangers: Respect for stablemate 5. Spywire who brings the King’s Secret form into the race having finished a handy second to that horse when resuming. Naturally will be fitter and gets 2.5kg of weight relief for taking on older horses. If he runs up to his return performance he’s a decent threat. 2. Flying Destiny showed a return to form second-up when he led and fought on strongly when run down by Lady Extreme a month ago. Draws well again and while he loses the claim he can be expected to hold his form and give a good account. 6. Yoshinobu was placed at Group 2 level behind Switzerland back in October and contested the Coolmore Stud Stakes. He’s now a gelding and won a recent trial in good style. Keep very safe.

How to play it: Axius WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

7. Tuileries will be the shortest priced favourite on the day and on the promise she’s shown and how far she came last time in she’s earned that right. But she does have a tricky set up from the outside gate to contend with. She’s trialled well and if she has any luck in the early stages to find a spot she should be hard to beat.

Dangers: 9. Useapin ran a nice race when she resumed two weeks ago beaten two lengths by Hi Dubai and she didn’t get all the favours in the run there. Extra 100m looks a plus and she has a good chance. 1. Dollar Magic is reliable and she can be forgiven for a rare failure last start off a month’s break. Back to fillies and mares and drawn well so she’s an each-way hope as always. 2. Queen Of The Mile ran an excellent race when resuming behind Storm The Ramparts then touch disappointing in the Hi Dubai race. The big bonus for her is a firmer track, she’s a lot better on top of the ground and can make some use of a draw. No surprise to see her lift.

How to play it: Tuileries WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. Impunity has found it too short for him in his two runs back and not suited to a sprint home so he can be expected to be a lot more effective out to a staying trip. You can see him trying to run on in both starts back and to be beaten four lengths have been pass marks. Won at this trip in February and now he’s drawn soft he can be a lot closer to the pace. Each-way chance in a wide open race.

Dangers: 7. Assailant was sent out favourite third-up over the 2000m and it all went wrong at the start. He was a little slow off a wide gate and couldn’t get anywhere near the top. Beaten on the turn and it’s a total forgive. Major barrier switch for him, he’ll land handy and is well worth another chance. 10. Fioprospero isn’t far off a win it would seem with placings at his past couple, including that 2000m event in question where he ran on from the second half. Certainly this is no harder and he’s a chance. 2. Cormac T has been to 2400m once for a win and has been racing honestly all prep, with a luckless run two starts back the only blemish. Must include.

How to play it: Impunity EACH-WAY ($15 TAB Fixed Odds).

If the speed that appears there on paper stays in the race then 2. With Your Blessing should be well suited. He had a super preparation earlier in the year where he won first-up at this trip and and went on to just miss at Group 3 level before a break. He’s trialled impressively, the draw is okay given there’s speed drawn both inside and out and he looks to run well fresh.

Dangers: 10. Romeo’s Choice did a big job to win first-up under 61kg on a heavy track at Warwick Farm and he looked to do it quite comfortably on the line. Step up in class now but he’s been so honest, he’ll get a nice run from a soft draw behind a good tempo and no surprise to see him measure up. 8. Storm The Ramparts won’t know himself with 54kg after carrying 8.5kg more to an easy all the way win two weeks ago. Entitled to have a crack at this class now and he should run well again. 3. Corniche only had the one start last time in and has had bone chips removed in the interim. Fitter for two trials and while he hasn’t won first-up previously he did have some good three-year-old form and is worth including.

How to play it: With Your Blessing WIN ($6 TAB Fixed Odds).

1. Robusto arguably should have gone very close in the Winter Stakes and he has a very good chance to atone in a very similar race with the bonus of an extra 100m. Everywhere he went in the first part of the straight the gaps eluded him and he didn’t get clear until the 150m. Same weight, similar field and slightly better drawn just off the fence which may help him avoid being dictated to. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 4. Accredited ran third in that race and the plus for him is the firmer ground as a soft 7 is about the limit for him with wet tracks. He had his chance and was somewhat responsible for Robusto’s woes but he’s right in this too. 2. Estadio Mestalla pulled their pants down as he led and kept going to beat both in the Winter Stakes. He cops 3kg for his trouble and another outside gate but he will roll forward and lead again you’d imagine and he’s more than capable if he’s in the same mood. 10. Thunderlips also comes out of that race where he ran fourth. Again had his chance but could see him use Estadio to come across and be a little more prominent this time, if that’s the case he’s a winning chance.

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

4. Bunker Hut was enormous first-up from a spell where he sat wide near the speed and managed to hold on and run fourth in what became a swooper’s race. He was super consistent last time in and that run suggests he’s come back at least as well. The draw is right in his favour, barrier one suits his style, and he should be a major player in the finish.

Dangers: 6. King Of Roseau broke a long run of outs with an excellent performance to win at this track and distance some five weeks ago. Since trialled nicely and he’d only need to hold his form now and he’ll be hard to beat again. 14. Little Cointreau is a must for trifecta players, he’s now run third at his past four starts and he’s one that will appreciate getting back on top of the ground. Impossible to leave out. 8. Fully Lit could be a big improver up slightly in distance after striking that fast run race two weeks ago. His two previous runs from a long break were pass marks and if he happens to lead he could give some cheek.

How to play it: Bunker Hut WIN ($4 TAB Fixed Odds).

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