Racing Preview – Sat 28 March

Rosehill Guineas – Rosehill
Rosehill has an excellent 9 event programme and the highlight is the Group 1 $500,000 Dubai Rosehill Guineas. The 2000 metre race for three-year-olds is at set weights and a field of 12 runners (6 colts and 6 geldings) will face the starter. The early market has Metal Bender favourite at $3 and on paper he looks like the winner. He has had 6 runs for 4 wins and a second. He won the Randwick Guineas at his last start drawing away, so should handle the longer distance.

Next in the betting are Caymans and Rock Kingdom, both at $5.50, Tobique at $6.50, Coniston Bluebird at $11, then Pre Eminence and Sousa both at $13. Tobique is the least experienced horse in the race with only 5 starts but has been impressive at his last two. Coniston Bluebird won the NZ Derby last start, and Roman Emperor ($18) is one to keep an eye on.
 
Jo’s tips: 1. Metal Bender, 2. Caymans, 3. Tobique

Ajax Stakes – Rosehill
The $150,000 Highland Race Colours Ajax Stakes over 1500 metres is a Group 2 race for three-year-old and upwards and has attracted a field of 10 runners. The early betting is fairly open with Solo Flyer favourite at $4.60 marginally ahead of Chasm and Playwright both at $4.80. Next is Kingda Ka at $7, Marching at $8, All American at $9 and Reigning To Win at $13.

Last start Chasm finished ½ length behind Solo Flyer and will meet him 1kg better at the weights, although Solo Flyer can carry weight and is much improved this time in. Penrickson ($17) likes this track and could surprise at long odds, while Reigning To Win is second-up and has won 3 of his 5 second-up starts.

Jo’s tips: 1. Chasm, 2. Penrickson, 3. Solo Flyer

Karrakatta Plate – Ascot
The Group 2 $500,000 Go For 2&5 Karrakatta Plate for two-year-olds over 1200 metres has a full field of 16 with the early scratching of Pluralism. Four of the field are still maidens. The early market has Kid Choisir as $3.60 favourite ahead of For Your Eyes Only at $4.00 and Wolfe Dreams at $4.40. The Corporation and Gold Rocks are both $9 and the rest of the field is currently at double figures.

For Your Eyes Only has won both her strarts by good margins, Wolfe Dreams has won 3 from 3 and Kid Choisir has had 2 starts for a first and a second.

Jo’s tips: 1. For Your Eyes Only, 2. Wolfe Dreams, 3. Kid Choisir

Don’t forget Dubai racing on Sunday. Tuesday Joy and Niconero will both run in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free over 1777 metres with prizemoney of over $7 million when converted to Australian dollars. Favourite is Japanese horse Vodka.