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By Ray Hickson

An extended build up to Roselyn’s Star’s outstanding first-up run could be the key to the promising galloper overcoming the second-up syndrome at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Tom Charlton (Pic: Grant Guy)

It wasn’t plan A from trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton to ask the gelding to have his first start in 16 months on a heavy track from the outside barrier two weeks ago but he couldn’t tread water any longer.

He’d been scratched from the previous Rosehill meeting due to a heavy 10 and a wide barrier.

Charlton said that fourth placing, beaten three-quarters of a length by Mal Coupe, was encouraging and the fingers are crossed for him to back it up in the Merrylands RSL Handicap (1100m).

“He had a good enough foundation going into that run,’’ he said.

“He was coming off a very extended layoff into that run and we needed to get this campaign started so that’s why he ran from that gate.

“He handled himself really well with a tough trip. It was a really game effort for a first-up run so all in all we’re really pleased.”

Roselyn’s Star, $4.80 with TAB on Wednesday, was Group 3 placed as a two-year-old but missed his entire three-year-old season due largely to growing pains – he did trial in May but the stable elected to give him more time.

Jockey Zac Lloyd felt the tough run first-up just took its toll late and would come on from the run, that’s also the view Charlton had and he said the promise of an easier run in transit is appealing.

“It’s always in the back of the mind whether a two-week turnaround off a layoff is an ideal scenario,’’ Charlton said.

“It doesn’t often correlate to that second-up run but he’s a very honest little horse.

“There’s always an element of risk second-up but to our eye he’s come through really well and just with the program in the next couple of weeks there isn’t another alternative option.

“I think he’s got a good preparation ahead of him regardless.”

If Roselyn’s Star performs to the level the stable hopes in coming starts he could find himself on the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions carnival.

Charlton said thought will be given to whether impressive debut winner Tyreek takes his place in the Group 3 $250,000 Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Up & Coming Stakes (1300m) after he drew seven in the eight horse field.

If he is there it’s an endorsement the stable feels the well bred gelding, who beat subsequent winner Burma Star first-up, is a winning chance as Charlton said there is a midweek option for him.

“It was a really good effort, he’s a real natural racehorse. Great natured, loves his work,’’ he said.

“That’s going to hold him in a good position. We learned a lot about him on debut, he handled the conditions well, he’s obviously up in grade second-up and going a little bit into the deep end.

“If he could run well there might be nicer options down the line.”

A 14 length beaten margin doesn’t look great against She’s Unusual’s name going into the Wests Group Macarthur Derby Handicap (2000m) but Charlton is prepared to forgive.

He said the mare was far too busy and it played against her in conditions she wasn’t comfortable with at her last run a month ago but is confident with a better scenario she can put that uncharacteristic run behind her.

Roselyn's Star runs fourth at Rosehill on August 16

“She had a really good preparation up to her last run,’’ he said.

“It was really testing and shifty conditions underfoot and the way the race panned out early she probably just got running a little bit. She just needs to relax a bit better.

“She responds really well to a bit of time between her races so if we can get on drier underfoot conditions and have an economical run in transit there’s no reason she can’t bounce back.”

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