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The Age
27-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Tips and race-by-race guide for Rosehill on Saturday
3. Livin' Thing looks to have a bit of scope about him to take a few more steps and he was quite dynamic in winning in midweek company a couple of weeks ago. This is up in class, but he drops nicely in the weights and promises to get another good run behind the speed. Gets away from wet tracks now but nothing there to suggest he needs them to fire. 5. King's Secret looked good winning a month ago, then potentially had excuses as he fizzed up behind the gates when a battling fifth two weeks back. If you can forgive that run he has to be a major chance. 1. Spywire is a big query first up since running a much improved race at the Sunshine Coast in January. He looked very smart as a two-year-old and his trials have been handy. First run as a gelding, too. Market a decent pointer, but no surprise if he's right in the finish. 6. Rantan can do a lot better than what she showed when she was in the market first up behind Lulumon at Gosford about seven weeks ago. Dry track is a big plus for her, so if she has any luck she can feature. How to play it: Livin' Thing to win. Race 6 – 1.55PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1500 METRES) 7. Mickey's Medal can easily continue on his winning way after finding his groove at this track and trip in his past two starts. He's creeping up in class now but stays down in the weights with the claim and has a great racing style that usually has him just on the speed and in a striking position. He'll get that chance again with a noted front-runner drawn wide. 1. Green Shadows backs up after quite a respectable effort in the Civic Stakes last week and isn't badly treated with the claim. He only has to run up to his recent form to be competitive back to a benchmark 88. 2. Thunderlips is impossible to leave out, and he should be right around the mark again. Very well ridden when scoring at Randwick three weeks ago, landing in a good spot off an outside gate and bursting through late. Best form is on softer ground, but that's the only negative you could find. 4. Step Aside beat King Of Roseau first up, then a month between runs, and he ran on without threatening into third at Sandown. Back home with a similar gap, and he's always a chance in this sort of race. How to play it: Mickey's Medal to win. Race 7 – 2.35PM IRRESISTIBLE POOLS STAYER'S CUP (2400 METRES) 8. Casual Connection is as honest as they come, and that's a big head start in a field of stayers that are a little inconsistent. He's the only horse in this that has won a race in the current preparation. Dominant on a heavy track at Randwick two runs back, taking off before the turn and running them into the ground, then not disgraced behind Tympanist when up in weight. Has the luxury of 53kg, and while he'd be more dangerous on a wet track, what he'll strike here should be no disadvantage. 6. Mormona showed a glimpse when finishing off nicely late in the Winter Cup at this track and over this distance second up from a spell. He is about 600 days since his last win, but might be able to settle closer this time and have a better chance. 11. Awesome Wonder was more than a month between runs when safely held at 2000m two weeks ago, but she is very much a 2400m horse and is capable of improving. 4. Speycaster has run well in two starts at this track since returning from Victoria and a repeat of that last-start fourth in the Winter Cup is good enough to have him in the finish somewhere. How to play it: Casual Connection to win. Race 8 – 3.15PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1800 METRES) 13. Kazalark might be just about ready to fire fourth up after two years off the scene. That's based on the massive improvement he showed last time out at Canterbury where he made a heap of late ground before running onto heels and easing up very late when fifth over the 1550m. He drops 4kg, draws well and gets up to a nice distance for him. Would be surprised if he doesn't run well at each-way odds. 10. Piggyback might well be more effective on wetter tracks, but it is also possible she just didn't come up as well as she has this time around when unplaced in three summer runs. Summer good tracks can be very different to winter ones. She was excellent at Randwick three weeks ago when just beaten in a slowly run race. Trip suits and she's a big chance. 12. Federer was a drifter in betting and did look a little one paced when working home fairly behind Thunderlips at Randwick first up. Given he's jumping the 400m in trip here suggests the stable thought similar. Has shown talent, of course, winning his first two and can't be condemned on one run. 7. Impunity might be close to a win after quite a nice return at 1500m behind Mickey's Medal. Ran some nice late sectionals and was just warming up. Big watch on 1. Hutchence first up for Chris Waller. His UK form is over 2400m plus, but you'd expect him to show something fresh at 1800m. How to play it: Kazalark each way. Race 9 – 3.50PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS W J MCKELL CUP (2000 METRES) 3. Elamaz is easily the most interesting horse racing all day at Rosehill. French import that is already a stakes winner and is yet to finish worse than second in seven starts. He profiles a little like stablemate Eliyass, which won first up around this time last year, then went onto a spring campaign. This gelding hasn't raced beyond 1600m, which is a major difference, but he's had three trials, and you'd expect him to be on the pace. If he's above average and has settled in, he wins this race. 4. Touristic has a much better set-up than what ultimately unfolded in the Winter Cup where he started $4.40. It was a slowly run race, and he's finished on well, but without ever looking a chance. Back to 2000m suits and draws to make a lie of last start. If Elamaz doesn't fire, he's the one to beat. 2. Loch Eagle is on trial at 2000m, but he does it third up on the back of a strong win at the Randwick mile. He is arguably more effective on wetter tracks but just that little bit of give may be enough with the extra trip. Usually competitive and can be here. 6. Glory Daze had his chance when favourite in the Winter Cup, though he may have been a little further back than ideal given how the race was run. Another who relishes the very wet ground, but he's hard fit and can run well. How to play it: Elamaz to win. Loading Race 10 – 4.30PM CHANDON HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 13. Lady Extreme steps up in class, but she was impressive a month ago mowing down Let's Go Again to win a Midway first up off no official trial. She's had some time to get over that run and finds a race that should have genuine speed, and she's come up with barrier one. Still lightly raced for a five-year-old and on the way up, she can measure up to this company. 12. Snack Bar has his 13th different rider as the blinkers go on following his second placing behind King Of Roseau last time out. He did look to have his chance, but perhaps coming back 100m with the shades on he's worth another chance. 2. Eye Of The Fire is a consistent type resuming, and he did win his first two starts last preparation before continuing to race well. Likely gets back, but he's been able to handle that style of racing in the past. 10. Liberty State was awesome when storming down the middle to win easily first up a month ago, and it will be interesting to see if she can reproduce that. The gap between runs gives her that chance and a drier track is no issue. How to play it: Lady Extreme to win.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tips and race-by-race guide for Rosehill on Saturday
3. Livin' Thing looks to have a bit of scope about him to take a few more steps and he was quite dynamic in winning in midweek company a couple of weeks ago. This is up in class, but he drops nicely in the weights and promises to get another good run behind the speed. Gets away from wet tracks now but nothing there to suggest he needs them to fire. 5. King's Secret looked good winning a month ago, then potentially had excuses as he fizzed up behind the gates when a battling fifth two weeks back. If you can forgive that run he has to be a major chance. 1. Spywire is a big query first up since running a much improved race at the Sunshine Coast in January. He looked very smart as a two-year-old and his trials have been handy. First run as a gelding, too. Market a decent pointer, but no surprise if he's right in the finish. 6. Rantan can do a lot better than what she showed when she was in the market first up behind Lulumon at Gosford about seven weeks ago. Dry track is a big plus for her, so if she has any luck she can feature. How to play it: Livin' Thing to win. Race 6 – 1.55PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1500 METRES) 7. Mickey's Medal can easily continue on his winning way after finding his groove at this track and trip in his past two starts. He's creeping up in class now but stays down in the weights with the claim and has a great racing style that usually has him just on the speed and in a striking position. He'll get that chance again with a noted front-runner drawn wide. 1. Green Shadows backs up after quite a respectable effort in the Civic Stakes last week and isn't badly treated with the claim. He only has to run up to his recent form to be competitive back to a benchmark 88. 2. Thunderlips is impossible to leave out, and he should be right around the mark again. Very well ridden when scoring at Randwick three weeks ago, landing in a good spot off an outside gate and bursting through late. Best form is on softer ground, but that's the only negative you could find. 4. Step Aside beat King Of Roseau first up, then a month between runs, and he ran on without threatening into third at Sandown. Back home with a similar gap, and he's always a chance in this sort of race. How to play it: Mickey's Medal to win. Race 7 – 2.35PM IRRESISTIBLE POOLS STAYER'S CUP (2400 METRES) 8. Casual Connection is as honest as they come, and that's a big head start in a field of stayers that are a little inconsistent. He's the only horse in this that has won a race in the current preparation. Dominant on a heavy track at Randwick two runs back, taking off before the turn and running them into the ground, then not disgraced behind Tympanist when up in weight. Has the luxury of 53kg, and while he'd be more dangerous on a wet track, what he'll strike here should be no disadvantage. 6. Mormona showed a glimpse when finishing off nicely late in the Winter Cup at this track and over this distance second up from a spell. He is about 600 days since his last win, but might be able to settle closer this time and have a better chance. 11. Awesome Wonder was more than a month between runs when safely held at 2000m two weeks ago, but she is very much a 2400m horse and is capable of improving. 4. Speycaster has run well in two starts at this track since returning from Victoria and a repeat of that last-start fourth in the Winter Cup is good enough to have him in the finish somewhere. How to play it: Casual Connection to win. Race 8 – 3.15PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1800 METRES) 13. Kazalark might be just about ready to fire fourth up after two years off the scene. That's based on the massive improvement he showed last time out at Canterbury where he made a heap of late ground before running onto heels and easing up very late when fifth over the 1550m. He drops 4kg, draws well and gets up to a nice distance for him. Would be surprised if he doesn't run well at each-way odds. 10. Piggyback might well be more effective on wetter tracks, but it is also possible she just didn't come up as well as she has this time around when unplaced in three summer runs. Summer good tracks can be very different to winter ones. She was excellent at Randwick three weeks ago when just beaten in a slowly run race. Trip suits and she's a big chance. 12. Federer was a drifter in betting and did look a little one paced when working home fairly behind Thunderlips at Randwick first up. Given he's jumping the 400m in trip here suggests the stable thought similar. Has shown talent, of course, winning his first two and can't be condemned on one run. 7. Impunity might be close to a win after quite a nice return at 1500m behind Mickey's Medal. Ran some nice late sectionals and was just warming up. Big watch on 1. Hutchence first up for Chris Waller. His UK form is over 2400m plus, but you'd expect him to show something fresh at 1800m. How to play it: Kazalark each way. Race 9 – 3.50PM TOYOTA FORKLIFTS W J MCKELL CUP (2000 METRES) 3. Elamaz is easily the most interesting horse racing all day at Rosehill. French import that is already a stakes winner and is yet to finish worse than second in seven starts. He profiles a little like stablemate Eliyass, which won first up around this time last year, then went onto a spring campaign. This gelding hasn't raced beyond 1600m, which is a major difference, but he's had three trials, and you'd expect him to be on the pace. If he's above average and has settled in, he wins this race. 4. Touristic has a much better set-up than what ultimately unfolded in the Winter Cup where he started $4.40. It was a slowly run race, and he's finished on well, but without ever looking a chance. Back to 2000m suits and draws to make a lie of last start. If Elamaz doesn't fire, he's the one to beat. 2. Loch Eagle is on trial at 2000m, but he does it third up on the back of a strong win at the Randwick mile. He is arguably more effective on wetter tracks but just that little bit of give may be enough with the extra trip. Usually competitive and can be here. 6. Glory Daze had his chance when favourite in the Winter Cup, though he may have been a little further back than ideal given how the race was run. Another who relishes the very wet ground, but he's hard fit and can run well. How to play it: Elamaz to win. Loading Race 10 – 4.30PM CHANDON HANDICAP (1200 METRES) 13. Lady Extreme steps up in class, but she was impressive a month ago mowing down Let's Go Again to win a Midway first up off no official trial. She's had some time to get over that run and finds a race that should have genuine speed, and she's come up with barrier one. Still lightly raced for a five-year-old and on the way up, she can measure up to this company. 12. Snack Bar has his 13th different rider as the blinkers go on following his second placing behind King Of Roseau last time out. He did look to have his chance, but perhaps coming back 100m with the shades on he's worth another chance. 2. Eye Of The Fire is a consistent type resuming, and he did win his first two starts last preparation before continuing to race well. Likely gets back, but he's been able to handle that style of racing in the past. 10. Liberty State was awesome when storming down the middle to win easily first up a month ago, and it will be interesting to see if she can reproduce that. The gap between runs gives her that chance and a drier track is no issue. How to play it: Lady Extreme to win.
News.com.au
26-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Casual Connection's winning form holds the key to Stayer's Cup
If winning form is the only yardstick, Casual Connection is undoubtedly the clear horse to beat in Saturday's Irresistible Pools Benchmark 90 Stayer's Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Casual Connection holds the dubious honour of being the only horse in the Cup field to win a race in his past four starts and is one of just two contenders to win a race this year. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The John Sargent- trained has won two of his past six starts, including a 2400m success at Royal Randwick on May 24, and can add to his superior mile and a half record in staying test. 'He is hard fit and in-form so as long as the track doesn't get too firm, I think he will really run well,' Sargent said. 'The little bit of give or worse suits him but he's hit good form and is down in the weights. 'He's well-weighted in a race like that and a lot of the horses are out of form.' Apprentice Molly Bourke's 2kg claim gets Casual Connection in with 53kg with bookies rating the gelding a clear $3.10 favourite. Casual Connection will jump one from the outside in the Stayer's Cup and Sargent sees the wide gate as an advantage. Casual Connection loves the heavy going! That's his 4th win over 2400mðŸ'� — bet365 Australia (@bet365_aus) May 24, 2025 'I don't mind the wide draw because he can roll over in his own time and when he drawn in one he gets caught on the inside,' he said. 'He has to get out and rolling and is a horse that needs to roll off around the 800m to 600m and get in the big long stride.' Casual Connection would take his earnings well past the $500,000 mark if the six-year-old can win again. A date with next month's Listed $200,000 Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 17 could also be considered if Casual Connection performs on Saturday. 'He is a great old horse and he might have a break after this but if he happens to win we might look at the Grafton Cup with him,' Sargent said. 'He has been up quite a while but he loves being in work. 'That type of race at Grafton on Saturday is a nice race.'
Sydney Morning Herald
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Race-by-race tips and previews for Randwick Kensington on Wednesday
Selections based on a soft track Race 1 8. Albany Road didn't run up to expectation when in the market on debut back in December but he's come back in good order looking at his two trial wins in the past month. Will roll forward and is the likely leader and should give a good account. 1. Cold Brew was runner-up at his first three starts before failing at Warwick Farm in January. Another who has returned with some nice trial performances, finds J-Mac to ride and draws to get every chance. 4. Harry's Evidence was well supported into odds-on at his debut and found one a bit speedier over the 1000m at Hawkesbury. Better for it and a bit firmer ground is a plus. One of the chances. How to play it: Albany Road WIN. Race 2 8. Oso Spirited is an interesting ex-NZ filly having her first local start for the Waterhouse/Bott stable. She trialled strongly when scoring at Rosehill in her latest and should get a nice run in or near the lead at this trip. Any market support would be a good push. Go well. 9. Sister Daae likely gives away a start from the outside barrier as she's done in her past couple when drawn wide. Kicking off at 1400m might suit her, though, and if the race pans out in her favour she should be hard to beat. 4. Vetwelve had support when placed at this track and trip first-up then favourite and may have been on the wrong part of the track when a battling fourth at Kembla. Entitled to another chance. How to play it: Oso Spirited WIN. Race 3 6. Wuddzz found himself in a tricky position at Randwick last time and attacked the line hard once clear but the bird had flown. Solidly supported favourite there and looks to have every chance to atone with a smaller field and softer gate. Entitled to go close. 1. Casual Connection has beaten Wuddzz twice and is 2.5kg worse off for the latest win but he does have that on pace style which helped him out in his latest victory. It might well see him home again and he's a logical danger. 5. Rattle And Hum has worked his way back to form with his past couple and he gave a good sight when narrowly beaten at Warwick Farm last week over 2200m. On pacer who has won at this track and trip and can give a sight. How to play it: Wuddzz WIN. Race 4 2. Vanessi is a lightly raced filly who looks suited with gate one behind what should be a solid speed over the 1000m. Wasn't disgraced in a handy field before a spell and she sailed around to win her latest trial last week. Expect she'll be in the finish. 8. O'Invincible hasn't raced since scoring on protest at Wyong in December and both her wins now have been at this trip. Trialled in early April then a small setback didn't see her resurface until two weeks ago where she won a trial at Warwick Farm. Could easily measure up. 3. Columbia Blue was too speedy in the heavy ground when an all the way winner at Hawkesbury at his second start. Looks a horse on the way up and is one of the chances. How to play it: Vanessi WIN.
The Age
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Race-by-race tips and previews for Randwick Kensington on Wednesday
Selections based on a soft track Race 1 8. Albany Road didn't run up to expectation when in the market on debut back in December but he's come back in good order looking at his two trial wins in the past month. Will roll forward and is the likely leader and should give a good account. 1. Cold Brew was runner-up at his first three starts before failing at Warwick Farm in January. Another who has returned with some nice trial performances, finds J-Mac to ride and draws to get every chance. 4. Harry's Evidence was well supported into odds-on at his debut and found one a bit speedier over the 1000m at Hawkesbury. Better for it and a bit firmer ground is a plus. One of the chances. How to play it: Albany Road WIN. Race 2 8. Oso Spirited is an interesting ex-NZ filly having her first local start for the Waterhouse/Bott stable. She trialled strongly when scoring at Rosehill in her latest and should get a nice run in or near the lead at this trip. Any market support would be a good push. Go well. 9. Sister Daae likely gives away a start from the outside barrier as she's done in her past couple when drawn wide. Kicking off at 1400m might suit her, though, and if the race pans out in her favour she should be hard to beat. 4. Vetwelve had support when placed at this track and trip first-up then favourite and may have been on the wrong part of the track when a battling fourth at Kembla. Entitled to another chance. How to play it: Oso Spirited WIN. Race 3 6. Wuddzz found himself in a tricky position at Randwick last time and attacked the line hard once clear but the bird had flown. Solidly supported favourite there and looks to have every chance to atone with a smaller field and softer gate. Entitled to go close. 1. Casual Connection has beaten Wuddzz twice and is 2.5kg worse off for the latest win but he does have that on pace style which helped him out in his latest victory. It might well see him home again and he's a logical danger. 5. Rattle And Hum has worked his way back to form with his past couple and he gave a good sight when narrowly beaten at Warwick Farm last week over 2200m. On pacer who has won at this track and trip and can give a sight. How to play it: Wuddzz WIN. Race 4 2. Vanessi is a lightly raced filly who looks suited with gate one behind what should be a solid speed over the 1000m. Wasn't disgraced in a handy field before a spell and she sailed around to win her latest trial last week. Expect she'll be in the finish. 8. O'Invincible hasn't raced since scoring on protest at Wyong in December and both her wins now have been at this trip. Trialled in early April then a small setback didn't see her resurface until two weeks ago where she won a trial at Warwick Farm. Could easily measure up. 3. Columbia Blue was too speedy in the heavy ground when an all the way winner at Hawkesbury at his second start. Looks a horse on the way up and is one of the chances. How to play it: Vanessi WIN.
