Racing Preview – Sat 29 August

Golden Rose – Rosehill
The main race at Rosehill is the Group 1 $1,000,000 Toohey’s New Golden Rose for three-year-olds. The 1400 metres race is at set weights and has attracted a field of 15. The favourite in the early market is Denman at the short price of $2.60. He won the Run To Rose on 15 August and has won his last four starts.

Next in the early market is Trusting at $4.80, Phelan Ready at $5.50, Headway at $9.50, Shellscrape at $13, Stryker at $15, Hus Der Lieften at $16 and The Mikado at $17. The filly Headway has drawn wide in barrier 14 but the distance should suit, while Trusting finished brilliantly in the Warwick Stakes last week to beat the older horses. He had no luck in the Run To Rose the previous week. The Mikado was also held up in the Run To Rose and could improve here.

Jo’s tips: 1. Denman, 2. Headway, 3. Trusting

Memsie Stakes – Caulfield
The main race at Caulfield is the Group 2 $200,000 Memsie Stakes over 1400 metres. The weight-for-age race has a field of 12 and the early favourite is Mic Mac at $2.60 with 6 wins from 7 starts. Next in the early market is Whobegotyou at $4, El Segundo at $5.50, Orange County at $6.50, Von Costa Da Hero at $9 and Sea Battle at $14.

Several horses in the fields are aiming at the Melbourne Cup, including Viewed ($21) and Efficient($41), and aren’t expected to show much over the 1400 metres. Mic Mac should win again. Whobegotyou came second in the Liston last start when returning from a spell and is a force to be reckoned with. El Segundo came third in the Aurie’s Star and should appreciate the extra 200 metres.

Jo’s tips: 1. Mic Mac, 2. Whobegotyou, 3. El Segundo

McNeil Stakes – Caulfield
A field of 16 three-year-olds will go round in the Group 3 $125,000 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes over 1200 metres. The early favourite is Tickets at $4.20 followed by Tollesprit and Starspangledbanner both at $5.50, Come Hither at $8 then Mont Fleuri, Briefed and Cross Street all at $11.

Starspangledbanner has drawn the widest barrier and will carry the topweight of 58kg but has looked most impressive in 2 starts for 2 wins this campaign. Tollesprit won a maiden at Bendigo 2 starts back but looks capable of the step up in quality. Mont Fleuri won her only start after getting held up, and could be capable of anything.

Jo’s tips: 1. Starspangledbanner, 2. Tollesprit, 3. Mont Fleuri