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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Rosehill meeting on May 31 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
ROSEHILL May 31
Best Bets
RACE 7 – (7) IRON MAN: This is an extremely difficult card where value has to be key. Suggest the market has been generous with this honest gelding as he boasts excellent course and distance credentials and it's easy to see he is ready to produce his best after two sound efforts in tough races since resuming. He's a proven wet tracker and is well placed stepping up to 1200m after getting warm late when fourth over 1100m at Hawkesbury under 60kg. Fitter and he benefits from Zac Wadick's allowance.
RACE 9 – (17) MISTERKIPCHOGE: He's won only once in 18 starts but his eight minor placings tell you he's a genuine performer who should boast a much better strike rate. Added to his consistency this prep when he left his run too late over 1700m at Scone, finishing fifth in a blanket finish, but it's the right form race and he'll get his chance over this extra trip on his home track. Like the riding switch to Kerrin McEvoy, who has ridden him twice for two placings.
RACE 10 – (7) PAJANTI: Has been kept fresh since she charged home for an impressive second in similar fillies and mare company over 1200m at Randwick five weeks ago, eating up the ground late after she needed clear running at a vital stage. She is at her best with her runs spaced and should relish these favourable soft/heavy conditions on her home track with a 1.5kg drop in weight after top apprentice Braith Nock takes his claim.
Selections
RACE 1: (3) SARAPO; (1) Hidden Achievement; (6) Zebra Finch; (2) Namaste
RACE 2: (2) BIG NIGHT OUT; (10) Warrior For Peace; (16) Straight Fire; (1) Canadian Ruler
RACE 3: (3) OAKFIELD BADGER; (7) Lady Extreme; (14) I Am Brave; (8) Harry's Bar
RACE 4: (12) LIKE LUKEY; (3) Mickey's Medal; (13) California Sunrise; (2) Fear No Evil
RACE 5: (6) DON'T FORGET JACK; (3) Massira; (13) Ellipsis; (12) King's Secret
RACE 6: (7) LITTLE COINTREAU; (3) Furious; (4) Enter The Dragon; (12) Pure Alpha
RACE 7: (7) IRON MAN; (16) Brave One; (10) Kerguelen; (9) Unstopabull
RACE 8: (7) KADAVAR; (8) Touristic; (13) Shahzad; (5) Glory Daze
RACE 9: (17) MISTERKIPCHOGE; (20) Anderson Bridge; (7) Kind Words; (8) Cormac T
RACE 10: (7) PAJANTI; (15) Totoka; (10) Weeping Woman; (22) Summer Flame
Why They Can Win….
RACE 1 – (3) SARAPO: Impressive debut. Bigger track and extra distance will suit.
RACE 2 – (2) BIG NIGHT OUT: Rates well off his Brisbane efforts under big weights. Favourable conditions.
RACE 3 – (3) OAKFIELD BADGER: Forgive last start when wide. All the right form in prior runs.
RACE 4 – (12) LIKE LUKEY: Worked home strongly when resuming. Improver with weight advantage.
RACE 5 – (6) DON'T FORGET JACK: Carried big weight well when resuming. Can repeat with 5.5kg less after the claim.
RACE 6 – (7) LITTLE COINTREAU: Sound improvement with each run since resuming. Ready to peak.
RACE 8 – (7) KADAVAR: Best work late in the Scone Cup. Gets conditions to suit on his home track.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – May 31
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Don't Doubt Merlin (R3); Alliri (R5); Ellipsis (R5); Weeping Woman (R10)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Flying Bandit (R3); Angel Capital (R6); Private Eye (R7); Golden Mile (R7); Kimochi (R7); Terra Mater (R9)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Snack Bar (R3)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: KIlbrannan (R1); Point Score (R1)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Change My Address; Caballus; Oh Diamond Lil; Tasoraay; I Am Brave; Carnegie Hill; Queen's Rhapsody; Lulumon; Agarwood; First Mission; Harlex; Yes Siree; Maori Chief; Caltsar; Mignonette; Roman Forum; Hawker Hall; Ellipsis; Silver Wedding; Secure; Placid Pearl; Need Some Luck; Famous One; Night Sky; Tiberius; Aerodrome
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM May 26: Lonhro mare WEEPING WOMAN is a natural runner and is set to add to her good record after two recent trials. Sharp work to win her 815m heat in the quickest of the short course heats (49.03; 34.71), cruising away to win by almost three lengths. Godolphin runners to perform with style included SNACK BAR.
WARWICK FARM May 22: A full session on the polytrack by necessity due to the huge amount of rain that severely restricted the grass tracks at all courses. Poly trials are never a reliable guide but due to the need to give horses their required work there were a number of classy runners led by the G1 star JOLIESTAR. She finished last in her open heat over 740m won by the Group winner ANGEL CAPITAL (45.71; 34.53) but was seven and eight deep all the way and was never tested by James McDonald to finish about three lengths from the winner.
WARWICK FARM May 13: Pleasing trial from Group One star KIMOCHI will have her ready for her Brisbane campaign. She was too classy for her rivals in the fastest of the three 1200m heats (73.36; 35.41) in her first trial since she failed in the All Aged Stakes last month. She had an issue after that race and it was good to see her work strongly, sitting second outside the lead and responding well when called on to stride clear to score by more than two lengths. PRIVATE EYE had his second trial since December with impressive late work in his 790m heat. He finished sixth, three lengths behind ELLIPSIS (46.97; 33; 68), after Nash Rawiller rode him quietly at the rear before easing widest on the turn. It was only over the last 100m that he slipped the G1 winner some rein with his work through the line hard to miss. Wagga Cup winner FLYING BANDIT had an easy time in his 1200m heat but his strong work over the last 200m was all he needed to keep up his fitness levels for coming targets. The Joe Pride-trained mare WEEPING WOMAN impressed with her late work in her 790m heat. In the 2YO trials over 787m the heat winner POINT SCORE (46.72; 34.24) led easily to record a clear cut win. Other youngsters that took the eye included KILBRANNAN.
WARWICK FARM April 29: Group One star PRIVATE EYE had an easy time in the heavy ground in his first trial since December. He finished fifth in a keenly run heat over 799m. David Pfieffer won an open sprint heat with DON'T DOUBT MERLIN (799m – 48.29; 34.46) and should have him placed to advantage when he resumes. 2YOs to make an impression included POINT SCORE.
ROSEHILL January 23: In the 2YO heats over 795m KILBRANNAN (47.59; 34.07) was responsible for efficient on pace work.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – May 31
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Grafterburners (R5); Beskar (R5); Just Party (R6); Kimochi (R7); Beau Dazzler (R8); Coco Jamboo (R9); Zaszou (R9)
MORPHETTVILLE SATURDAY: La Defense (R6)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Sarapo (R1); Interjection (R4/R6); Unstopabull (R7); Pajanti (R10); Allapercanto (R10); Miss Jennifer (R10)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Salty Pearl (R1); Sparkling (R2); Splash Back (R2); Twin Perfection (R8); Moby Dick (R9)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Maid Of Moolah (R3)
SANDOWN SUNDAY: Magarten (R3); Laa De Sha (R8)
BLACKBOOKERS
(Selected May 24 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
LEAD ME ON; MOVIN' OUT; PROVIDENCE; SHE'S UNUSUAL; SHOCKLETZ; TERILEE; TESTATOR SILENS
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Bring Forth; Spione; The Inflictor; Sunshine In Paris; Mary Eliza; On Display; Gentileschi; Photograph; Charm Stone; Regal Azmon; Jimmysstar; Movin Out; Briasa; Statuario; Evaporate; Heart Of Glass; Just Folk; Nepotism; Imposant; Gringotts; Mare Of Mt Buller; Asgarda; Buffalo
