It was one of those days at Rosehill – I could have listed 10 horses to follow but have stuck to the format – here are my top three.
MARCO MAN
Wagga-based trainer Tim Donnelly has ventured north twice in the past two months for a tilt at the rich Highway races but has headed home on each occasion with only enough to cover fuel. But his turn will come, and if it doesn't come in a Highway, I'm confident we can get a result out of this Sebring five-year-old closer to home. Was a luckless seventh behind Nic's Vendetta/Suncraze two runs back at Warwick Farm then caught the eye on Saturday when working into fifth behind plunge winner Another Sin and the previously undefeated Lifesaver. Got too far back in an on-pace dominated affair, 3kg apprentice Rebeka Prest hooking widest (very wide) on the turn. The sectionals tell the story – Marco Man clocking 11.34 seconds for the final 200m. That was the quickest final split of the race.
Career record (12:2-1-2).
Race to look for – Highway or Country Class 2/Benchmark 60 (1200-1400m)
- Check out Marco Man in the below video, he's second last in the orange, green seams and cap.
Another Sin becomes the first debutant to win a TAB Highway Handicap, fighting off Lifesaver after an epic battle in the straight. pic.twitter.com/ykgCtXwAwY
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 12, 2017
TOM MELBOURNE
I can only go on what I see and Tom Melbourne appears to be airborne for Chris Waller. Had trialled twice leading into Saturday's return and had trialled superbly. If you're reading this column then I am assuming you watched Saturday's Spring Preview (1400m) at Rosehill. Box-seated, locked-up entire straight, flew once clear – tragic! The strange thing is, there will be so many punters burned by the 'old' Tom Melbourne that we might actually get a price next time out. I may join that list if the 'old' Tom Melbourne doesn't deliver, but as The Armchair Punter wrote – Tom Sydney could be an entirely different beast.
Career record (19:5-4-1).
Race to look for – Any black type race (1400m-1600m)
MANDALONG KISS
I've got a soft spot for this Gary Nickson-trained mare – she did the job at big odds last campaign and I reckon there's another win in her this prep – I'm just not sure when. Last campaign it was fifth-up off a spell on a heavy track over 2000m, but I wouldn't be surprised if she wins a bit earlier this time around. Ran on gamely first-up when third over 1250m at Canterbury and should have finished closer than the official 1-3/4 lengths eighth behind Elouera over the 1400m on Saturday. Settled well back on the rails and was scrubbed along by Andrew Banks approaching the turn. Was just warming to her task when ran onto heels inside the final 100m. Third-up stats read OK and she has won over distances ranging from 1100m to 2000m.
Career record (24:3-3-4).
Race to look for – Follow next three runs whatever that may be
- Mandalong Kiss races in the pink, black seams and stripes cap and is third last.
Eleoura and @Kathy_ohara charge home to deny Faith's Encore in Race 8 at #Rosehill. pic.twitter.com/HdbVLc4hAr
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 12, 2017
COMMENTS - Did you spot one to follow? Share it with the Racenet audience through the comments section below.
