Race-by-race preview and tips for Gosford on Saturday
7. Duck Egg Blue is back in trip, but to offset that she is four weeks between runs and back from listed company in The Championships. The lightly raced filly was racing out of her grade in the South Pacific Classic, yet overachieved, finishing a close-up fifth. She was held up in the straight, too. Confident all she has to do is get the start right to win this. She jumped half a length in front two starts ago, which should give her the inside draw. Third from the fence is perfect. A pair further back and things get problematic. 5. Don't Doubt Merlin looks the likely leader. The gamble is how vulnerable he'll be late first up over 1200m. Hasn't won beyond 1100m. Has only raced over 1200m once, and he knocked up to be well beaten, albeit the heavy track took the brunt of the blame. Has trialled well on two occasions. 3. Monte Kate looks well paired with Adam Hyeronimus again. Was posted wide throughout last start and that perhaps told at the finish.
How to play it: Duck Egg Blue to win.
Race 2 – 11.50AM ORTUS FINANCIAL 2YO HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
1. Sequsita found herself posted three wide outside the leaders in the Percy Sykes Stakes before sticking on well to run fourth. That was behind Tempted, which proved to be one of the standout two-year-olds of the season. She tackles this four weeks between runs and has been tasked with carrying 58kg under the handicap conditions, but she has the best CV. How the first 400m plays out will be critical to her chances. She perhaps has the most natural speed of any runner here, but there will be pressure kicking up underneath her in the early stages. If he can cross without doing too much work, they will be doing well to chase her down. 6. Hidden Achievement will need to get the start right, too. Had he shown any early speed in his trials or on debut he would be on top here. Some chance he ends up buried away worse than midfield in the run. Like the way he closed off at Canterbury on debut, giving away race experience.
How to play it: Sequsita to win
Race 3 – 12.25PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
4. Joiselle jumps 1000m to 1200m but has raced well in the past off the same preparation. The last time the four-year-old tackled this trip was in Highway company at Randwick in January. She led, kicked like the winner only to be run down late by Clear Thinking and Highway Strip. One of the deepest Highways we've seen in some time. Two weeks ago, she ran in Highway company over 1000m and kept closing when third behind Massira. There is a lot of 1000m and 1100m form in this race. Joiselle runs a strong 1200m at this level. There is evidence of that already. Looks a clever claim taking 2kg off with Anna Roper. 1. Jolly Good Fellow made it two wins from three starts for Dean Mirfin when too classy at Bathurst last start. Draws wide but has gate speed and a recent 1400m win under his belt. Was only three lengths off Engine Room first up in town. 8. Ritzsun has been solid recently without winning. Didn't look to have any excuses at Mudgee last start having settled outside the leader.
How to play it: Joiselle to win.
Race 4 – 1PM POLVIN FENCING SYSTEMS 3&4YO BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
1. Yankee One used barrier one to stalk the speed at Randwick last start before running out a dominant winner. Drawing the same gate here should give her a similar run in transit, and let her settle in front of her main dangers. The four-year-old finds herself in career-best form having won three from four for Bjorn Baker. At her past two starts she's improved again, which coincided with getting out to 1400m for the first time and the blinkers going back on. A tearaway leader a fortnight ago made it a testing 1400m. The official last 600m split was 37.47s. That'll toughen her up for her first try at the mile. No argument that 4. Engine Room is likely to end up the best horse in the field. He might already be. However, the draw and his racing pattern make things a touch problematic around a tight Gosford track. He'll need a clever ride from Alysha Collett, who takes over from Zac Lloyd. 5. Last Command appears to have lost his early speed, but has been great in two runs back.
How to play it: Yankee One to win.
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Sydney Morning Herald
18-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Race-by-race preview and tips for Saturday meeting at Rosehill Gardens
Race 1 - 11.15am: TRAFFIC WARDEN @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1200 METRES) This looks like 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 forth. Could face a similar problem from barrier one and would like to see some support for him, but a good each-way chance. 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 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, and he'd be one to keep an eye on. How to play it: Alphard EACH-WAY Race 2 - 11.50am: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1300 METRES) 11. Pretty Tavi is ready 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. 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. 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. 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. How to play it: Pretty Tavi EACH-WAY Race 3 - 12.25pm: TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1100m) 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 speaks to his ability. Trials have been good, he's drawn well, and he has to be the horse to beat. 1. First Landing faces a task from the wide gate with 61.5kg (weight less of an issue with Aaron 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 in February. 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 handy Highways. On that form, she's far from out of it.
The Age
18-07-2025
- The Age
Race-by-race preview and tips for Saturday meeting at Rosehill Gardens
Race 1 - 11.15am: TRAFFIC WARDEN @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1200 METRES) This looks like 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 forth. Could face a similar problem from barrier one and would like to see some support for him, but a good each-way chance. 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 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, and he'd be one to keep an eye on. How to play it: Alphard EACH-WAY Race 2 - 11.50am: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1300 METRES) 11. Pretty Tavi is ready 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. 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. 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. 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. How to play it: Pretty Tavi EACH-WAY Race 3 - 12.25pm: TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1100m) 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 speaks to his ability. Trials have been good, he's drawn well, and he has to be the horse to beat. 1. First Landing faces a task from the wide gate with 61.5kg (weight less of an issue with Aaron 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 in February. 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 handy Highways. On that form, she's far from out of it.
The Advertiser
19-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Two-time Wimbledon champ to retire later this year
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova plans to retire in a few months at the US Open, the Czech star has announced. The announcement on social media came a day after Kvitova was granted a wildcard for what will be her final Wimbledon appearance the week after next. "I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon, one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career," Kvitova said. "And while I am not entirely sure yet what my hardcourt swing in the US will look like, I am intending to finish my active playing career at the US Open in New York later this summer." The 35-year-old Kvitova reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 and also helped the Czech Republic to six trophies in the Fed Cup, which is now known as the Billie Jean King Cup. Kvitova last played at Wimbledon in 2023, and became a mother for the first time when her son was born during last year's tournament at the All England Club. Kvitova made her return to the WTA Tour in Austin, Texas, in February after 17 months away from the court and is currently ranked 572nd. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova plans to retire in a few months at the US Open, the Czech star has announced. The announcement on social media came a day after Kvitova was granted a wildcard for what will be her final Wimbledon appearance the week after next. "I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon, one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career," Kvitova said. "And while I am not entirely sure yet what my hardcourt swing in the US will look like, I am intending to finish my active playing career at the US Open in New York later this summer." The 35-year-old Kvitova reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 and also helped the Czech Republic to six trophies in the Fed Cup, which is now known as the Billie Jean King Cup. Kvitova last played at Wimbledon in 2023, and became a mother for the first time when her son was born during last year's tournament at the All England Club. Kvitova made her return to the WTA Tour in Austin, Texas, in February after 17 months away from the court and is currently ranked 572nd. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova plans to retire in a few months at the US Open, the Czech star has announced. The announcement on social media came a day after Kvitova was granted a wildcard for what will be her final Wimbledon appearance the week after next. "I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon, one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career," Kvitova said. "And while I am not entirely sure yet what my hardcourt swing in the US will look like, I am intending to finish my active playing career at the US Open in New York later this summer." The 35-year-old Kvitova reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 and also helped the Czech Republic to six trophies in the Fed Cup, which is now known as the Billie Jean King Cup. Kvitova last played at Wimbledon in 2023, and became a mother for the first time when her son was born during last year's tournament at the All England Club. Kvitova made her return to the WTA Tour in Austin, Texas, in February after 17 months away from the court and is currently ranked 572nd. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova plans to retire in a few months at the US Open, the Czech star has announced. The announcement on social media came a day after Kvitova was granted a wildcard for what will be her final Wimbledon appearance the week after next. "I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon, one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career," Kvitova said. "And while I am not entirely sure yet what my hardcourt swing in the US will look like, I am intending to finish my active playing career at the US Open in New York later this summer." The 35-year-old Kvitova reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 and also helped the Czech Republic to six trophies in the Fed Cup, which is now known as the Billie Jean King Cup. Kvitova last played at Wimbledon in 2023, and became a mother for the first time when her son was born during last year's tournament at the All England Club. Kvitova made her return to the WTA Tour in Austin, Texas, in February after 17 months away from the court and is currently ranked 572nd.
