Racing Preview – Sat 18 July

Winter Stakes – Rosehill
The main race in Sydney is the Listed $100,000 Sydney Banana Wholesalers Winter Stakes over 1500 metres. There is a field of 14 and the topweight is Hadaaf with 59.5kg. Second in the weights is Strat’s Flyer with 56.5kg, then Cocoruru with 54kg,. The rest of the field all carry 53kg.

The early market has Strat’s Flyer as favourite at $3.80 followed by Mr Unforgettable at $4.80, Synonym at $7.50, Bay Window at $8.50, Hussta La Vista at $9 and Cocoruru at $12. Bay Window has won his last 2 starts, and although facing tougher company he is down in the weights, Cruisy Lady ($18) was a close second in the Civic last start at long odds, and Strat’s Flyer had lots of excuses for his last start ninth when badly locked up in the straight.

Jo’s tips: 1. Bay Window, 2. Cruisy Lady 3. Strat Flyer

Sir John Monash – Caulfield
The Listed $100,000 Sir John Monash Stakes over 1100 metres is a standard weight-for-age race and has a select field of 8 runners. The early favourite is Gran Sasso at $2.90 ahead of I Am Invincible at $3.30. Next in the market is Damselfly at $5.50, Orange County at $6, Mind Your Head at $10 and Global Warming at $11.

Gran Sasso has won his last 3 starts in a row and is in great form, I Am Invincible hasn’t started since his second in the Goodwood behind Takeover Target, but races well fresh. Damselfly is an exciting three-year-old filly with 4 wins and a place from 6 starts.

Jo’s tips: 1. Gran Sasso, 2. I Am Invincible, 3. Damselfly

Tattersalls Mile – Eagle Farm
The Listed $75,000 Tattersall’s Mile Handicap over 1600 metres has attracted a field of 17 runners. The early market has Hussta La Vista as favourite at $4.50, ahead of Jacqueline Rouge at $6, Crossthestart at $6.50, Lucky Luna at $7.50, Ab Almalik and Plenty Of Practise both at $9 and Tagus at $11. The early favourite Hussta La Vista is also nominated for the Winter Stakes at Rosehill.

Crossthestart has won his last two and should be in the money again, Plenty Of Practise is drawn out wide but won a 1500m race by a big margin here on 4 July and can make her own luck, while Hussta La Vista is never far from the winner.

Jo’s tips: 1. Crossthestart, 2. Plenty Of Practise, 3. Hussta La Vista