Paul Joice analyses the entire Golden Rose meeting

Paul Joice - Sunday September 24
Menari let punters down in the Golden Rose when roughie and stablemate Trapeze Artist caused a boil-over. I've analysed the entire meeting at Rosehill, letting you know what happened to your investments and pinpointing the ones to follow.
Hugh Bowman gave Alward the perfect ride to win. Photo: Steve Hart

Race 1 - Nathan's Famous Hotdogs Benchmark 74 Handicap (1300m)

1st - Beau Geste ($2.40 fav)
2nd - Our Mantra ($18) – half neck
3rd - Paret ($2.5) – half neck
Then Followed: Aonair ($11), Bright Idea ($19), Molten ($11), Charlie Chap ($26)

Analysis: Beau Geste raced a touch keenly in a slowly run opening event, Brenton Avdulla playing it safe approaching the turn and angling deep. Beau Geste chimed in at the 200m but didn't put them away. Our Mantra fought bravely after enjoying the run of the race and was still there on the line. Paret looked like a budding superstar winning on debut at Canterbury on the back of a furious tempo but he did plenty wrong here when they slowed-up in front. Wanted to over-race then ran about under pressure in the straight. Clocked the quickest final splits of 34.43/11.63 secs. Loads of potential but still a bit to learn.

Money Trail: The two favoured runners were rock solid in betting. The only notable drifter was Our Mantra $11 out to $18.

My Tip: Bright Idea received the on pace favours I expected in the small field but couldn't quicken when asked. This gamble didn't pay off.

Blackbooker: Paret is the most talented horse in that race. That was only his second career start and he'll improve plenty. Next campaign he could be top shelf.

Race 2 - Colin Stephen (G3) (2400m)

1st - Auvray ($3.20)
2nd - Admiral Jello ($4) – short head
3rd - Broadside ($2.70 fav) – half neck
Then Followed: Dee I Cee ($7.50), Darabad ($31)

Analysis: This race panned out the way most expected. The speed maps were spot on and Tim Clark did a great job rating Broadside out in front. Glyn Schofield got going before the 600m aboard Auvray and that proved the difference in the end. Corey Brown aboard Admiral Jello gave his mount every possible. It was a slogging go down the straight, but the superior stayer won out. A protest 2nd v 1st for interference inside the final final 200m was quickly dismissed.

Money Trail: Admiral Jello was the money horse, backed from $4.80 into $4 in the final 30 minutes of betting.

Blackbooker: Auvray proved himself the superior stayer and managed to win despite the small field not suiting his racing style. He's the one to stick with going forward.

Race 3 - Tab Highway Class 2 Handicap (1500m)

1st - Don't Give A Damn ($1.65 fav)
2nd - Delivered ($21) - 6.5 lens
3rd - Motime ($61) – long neck
Then Followed: Bonsley ($10), Majestic Pedrille ($950.), Catch The Culprit ($26), Apocalyptic Fun ($10), Only Choice ($9), Bella La Belle ($151), Rising King ($41)

Analysis: Kerrin McEvoy appeared intent on leading them here aboard the heavily backed favourite Don't Give A Damn but when Bonsley was stamped urgent by Tim Clark, McEvoy opted for the trail. This race was all over on the turn, Don't Give A Damn careering away and being eased down late. The winner is talented, the beaten brigade are limited. The fast early pace resulted in some slow final splits, but none of the beaten brigade broke 37 secs for the final 600m – that's slow.

Money Trail: Punters only had eyes for the favourite Don't Give A Damn , firming from $1.80 into $1.65 in the final 30 minutes of betting. Opening prices on Wednesday had him at black odds.

My Tip: Don't Give A Damn at the $2.35 was like picking it up off the ground. Some joy on a tough day.

Blackbooker: No use following any of the beaten bunch unless they go right back in grade. Don't Give A Damn is sure to prove a reliable conveyance with his ability to settle on pace and quicken at the business end.

Race 4 - Ranvet Benchmark 82 Handicap (2000m)

1st - Alward ($4.40)
2nd - Up 'n' Rolling ($1. 85 fav) - 0.8 len
3rd - Zaunkonig ($26) - neck
Then Followed: Quick Defence ($10), Imanui ($6), Roman Son ($31), Plot Twist ($31), Thewayweare ($101)

Analysis: Alward given the gun run by Hugh Bowman whilst stablemate and shirt-priced elect Up 'N' Rolling was badly pocketed for much of the straight. Whether that strife equated to three-quarters of a length is debatable – I don't think he would have won anyway – but he would have gone mighty close. Imanui was ridden for luck but didn't get any miracle run through the ruck on the turn. Should have finished closer but wouldn't have beaten the top two.

Money Trail: Punters only wanted Up 'N' Rolling . He firmed from $1.90 into $1.85 in the final 30 minutes of betting but black odds had been offered in the days leading up to the race.

My Tip: I was confident Up 'N' Rolling had the tactical pace to beat stablemate Alward – but I was wrong.

Blackbooker: I will admit defeat and switch to Alward . He needs 2000m plus and Chris Waller is sure to place him well in weeks to come.

Race 5 - Shannon Stakes (G2) (1500m)

1st - Washington Heights ($4.80)
2nd - Mighty Lucky ($41) - 0.5 len
3rd - Imposing Lass ($7.50) - 2.3 lens
Then Followed: Lubiton ($7), Dawn Wall ($3.40 fav), Euro Angel ($5), Dark Eyes ($31), Heartlings ($51), Good Project ($9.50)

Analysis: It's amazing what Washington Heights can produce when given clear running. Had all but one in front of him turning for home but descended upon them quickly and apart from a surprise challenge from Mighty Lucky , was going to win this from a furlong out. At 34.29 secs for his final 600m – that was the quickest split of the day! Should be four from four this time in – he's flying. Corey Brown rode Dawn Wall and felt the good 4 surface wasn't as preferable as a good 3, whilst Brenton Avdulla stated Euro Angel simply pulled too hard.

Money Trail: Mighty Lucky was specked from $71 into $41 – close. Apart from that the market didn't move too much leading into the race.

Blackbooker: For Mighty Lucky to go so well second-up suggests the nine-year-old will win another race this campaign. Washington Heights is the obvious one though.

Race 6 - Gloaming Stakes (G3) (1800m)

1st - Ace High ($9)
2nd - Sanctioned ($3.60) - 1.3 lens
3rd - Coral Coast ($21) - 4 lens
Then Followed: Sully ($8), Astoria ($3.30 fav), Badge Of Gameness ($61), Augustus ($8.50), Colesberg ($81), Coulthard ($31), All Day ($51), Thy Kingdom Come ($10)

Analysis: Intent and aggression are two winning traits around Rosehill and Tye Angland combined them perfectly to lead throughout aboard Ace High . Angland wanted the front from the moment the gates opened and wasn't going to hand up at any stage. All Day applied pressure from the 1000m but Angland absorbed it – he was on the best stayer. Hugh Bowman gave Sanctioned a 10 out of 10 ride but Godolphin's good looking son of Teofilo didn't have the determination to gun down rough street fighter Ace High. Sully was held-up into the straight and closed off OK. He's a talent. Coral Coast fought right to the line at only her fourth start. Oaks type.

Money Trail: Favourite Astoria slightly easy from $3 out to $3.30 but otherwise the market held firm across the board in the final 30 minutes of betting.

My Tip: Badge Of Gameness was my speculator at $41 and certainly gave me a sneaky place hope turning for home. But he peaked 200m out.

Blackbooker: Ace High was the only runner in this field to break 12 secs for the final 200m – and he did that after leading and absorbing mid-race pressure. Doubt any of these can turn the tables going forward.

Race 7 - Golden Rose (G1) (1400m)

1st - Trapeze Artist ($41)
2nd - Champagne Cuddles ($17) - 4.3 lens
3rd - Menari ($2.40 fav) – half neck
Then Followed: Gold Standard ($10), Assimilate ($10), Chauffeur ($26), Perast ($101), Dracarys ($20), Pariah ($8.50), Merchant Navy ($7), Formality ($20), Shogun Sun ($26), The Mission ($101), Diamond Tathagata ($201)

Analysis: Where did this win come from? I suppose in hindsight you could have found him as a value chance. Carried 61kg first-up in the Up & Coming then brave in the Stan Fox which had been franked as the right form race only 40 minutes prior. And don't forget wily trainer Gerald Ryan's 'blinkers back on' trick. When this son of Snitzel scored a surprise three lengths romp in the Black Opal as a two-year-old – he had the blinkers on then too. Another ride with intent from Angland, positive from the outside gate resulting in being in the right spot turning for home. The backmarkers just never got into it. Menari also had the right run in transit and was there to win on the turn if good enough. I don't think he ran out a pressure 1400m – his final furlong of 12.73 secs tells me that. Was galloped on so perhaps I'm being too harsh. Champagne Cuddles ran the quickest final 600m at 34.76 secs. Merchant Navy , Chauffeur and Shogun Sun copped decent interference in the early stages.

Money Trail: Trapeze Artist moved from $61 out to $91 before a late rally saw him firm into $41 – a big result there for some astute punters. The rest of the market held solid in the final 30 minutes of betting.

Blackbooker: I've got to believe what I see and stick with Trapeze Artist. His form suggests he's not a one trick pony – he was already Group I placed prior to this win. An Epsom with 48kg … certainly makes it interesting.

Race 8 - Golden Pendant (G2) (1400m)

1st - Daysee Doom ($5.50)
2nd - Dixie Blossoms ($7) - 0.2 len
3rd - Omei Sword ($4.20 fav) – 1 length
Then Followed: Danish Twist ($8.50), Zenalicious ($101), Bonny O'Reilly ($4.80), Magic Alibi ($21), Berry Delicious ($101), Denmagic ($11), Sweet Redemption ($13), Sort After ($51)

Analysis: Daysee Doom sat third three wide no cover yet still won. She loves a fight and has now won seven of 14 starts. Stablemate Dixie Blossoms closed off strongly – her final splits of 34.47 and 11.66 were the quickest of the race. Zenalicious hit the line hard. The raps on Omei Sword have certainly come off this campaign – she's at this level but no better.

Money Trail: Omei Sword was backed into favouritism, firming from $4.40 into $4.20 whilst opening favourite Bonny O'Reilly drifted from $4.20 to $4.80.

Blackbooker: Dixie Blossoms turned in the eye-catcher second-up and Rosehill isn't her preferred track. There will be a race for her at Randwick this campaign.

Race 9 - Tab.Com.Au Benchmark 89 Handicap (1400m)

1st - Sir Plush ($6.50)
2nd - Hogmanay ($9.50) - 3.8 lens
3rd - Zumbelina ($2.40 fav) - head
Then Followed: Souchez ($13), Wayanka ($7.50), Denpurr ($26), Impavido ($7.50), Screamarr ($11), Be Like Dad ($51), Lunar Rise ($151)

Sir Plush runs his rivals off their feet to claim honours in the last at #Rosehill. Great ride, Jason Collett! pic.twitter.com/oD2GLuE4mR

Analysis: Intent and aggression once again winning around Rosehill. Sir Plush was rolled three times in a row as favourite at Rosehill earlier this campaign but the punters that stuck solid had the last laugh. Home in 35.14 secs after motoring along was simply too slick. No doubt he starts favourite next start on the back of that win – decisions, decisions. Backmarkers never got involved here but that's their fate when ridden quietly around Rosehill.

Money Trail: Punters got it right. Sir Plush the best backed, firming from $9.50 into $6.50. Impavido specked from $9.50 to $7.50 whilst favourite Zumbelina was a touch easy going from $2.15 out to $2.40.

My Tip: I misfired here with Impavido resuming. Was convinced he'd come back in great order going off his trials and perhaps he has, but he wasn't suited in a fast-run 1400m first-up. He felt the pinch late after travelling sweetly in the run. Jury is out.

Blackbooker: Denpurr clocked the fastest closing sections of the race at 34.44/11.89. The Snowden stable have her going better than her form reads so she can pick-up the appropriate race (away from Rosehill) at some stage during the spring.

 

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