Taj Rossi Series Final – 2021

Track: Soft Weather: Overcast

Thirteen two year olds are set to line up for the $160,000 Taj Rossi Series Final.  Team Maher & Eustace, Busuttin & Young and Dan O’Sullivan all have two runners entered in the race.  Four last ran in an open handicap here a fortnight ago, three ran in an open handicap at Sandown, two ran in the Elvstroem Classic at Swan Hill while two others come via a run at Bendigo.  The early favourite in the betting is the Sydney filly Royalzel.  She produced a terrific turn of foot at Rosehill last start and is a leading chance if she can handle the firmer footing.  Next in the betting is Forbidden City.  She finished fourth here last time and looks set to peak third up with Jamie Kah in the saddle.

Cardigan Queen was good winning the Elvstroem Classic and gets the inform Mark Zahra.  Bon Vivant was unsuited by a slowly run race on debut but will take good improvement from that run.  Celestial Fury was strong late on debut and can be in the finish again here.  Whatafox is still a maiden but has shown talent at both of her runs to date.  Pretty Little Lass races on her home track for the first time and should get a great run from barrier five, while Tatsuro is another one of the maidens in the race.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Royalzel

Craig Williams goes aboard this Snitzel colt who comes down from Sydney.  He produced a lovely turn of foot to swoop down the outside and win at Rosehill last start – his second win from four starts.  Clearly has the talent to win but he just needs to prove himself on the firmer footing.

2. Celestial Fury

Debut winner here a fortnight ago.  He took a while to wind up but once he did was really strong through the line under the urgings of Craig Newitt.  Gives every indication that he will relish 1600m & he should get a similar run again here.

3. Messignadi

The Coffey’s team up here with unbeaten filly Messignadi.  She produced a big turn of foot to win at Mildura on debut, then sat wide off a slow speed at Sandown and was able to score narrowly again.  In the mix again here.

4. Aktolgali

Big improver last time to win at Bendigo – I like the way he took the gap when it presented.  Needs to improve again but 1600m suits.

5. Cardigan Queen

Three seconds to start her career before the blinkers went on at Swan Hill and she won the Elvstroem Classic.   The blinkers come back off here as she stretches to 1600m for the first time but she gets Mark Zahra who is flying and she should be able to find a prominent position in the run.

6. Bon Vivant

Hit the line well enough after being unsuited by the slow tempo here on debut.  Looks a similar race shape again.  Could they head forward this time?

7. Catskill

Catskill has ran placings in the bush at her last two.  Needs to improve on what she has been doing.

8. Turn It Up Tommy

Went off $30-1 on debut and weakened out off an economical run.  Can’t recommend off that.

9. Pretty Little Lass

Won her maiden well at Wodonga, then hit the line solidly behind Cardigan Queen in the Elvstroem Classic.  Should get a great run for the inform Damian Lane.

10. Whatafox

Ran fourth on debut, then improved to run second last time behind Messignadi.  Losing Jamie Kah is a negative.

11. Forbidden City

$450,000 daughter of I Am Invincible.  She ran well first up at Geelong then looked the winner last time at Flemington before seemingly peaking on her run.  Is set to peak here third up and is a leading chance if she can run the trip.

12. Tatsuro

Was under heavy riding a long way out first up at Donald but kept coming to finish third.  Will take good improvement from that and gets a senior rider on.

13. Celtic Glory

Got a long way back off a very slow tempo at Sandown last start and closed strongly when he probably wasn’t entitled to do so.  He is a roughie with a chance here.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Royalzel	6.  Bon Vivant
11. Forbidden City	1. Royalzel
5. Cardigan Queen	13. Celtic Glory
6.  Bon Vivant	5. Cardigan Queen

Group 3 Winx Guineas 2021 (Sunshine Coast 1600m)

Listed VRC Winter Championship Final 2021 (Flemington 1600m)

Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final 2021 (Flemington 1600m)

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: –

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1. Royalzel
2nd	10. Whatafox	3 lengths
3rd	13. Celtic Glory	3.4 lengths
4th	4. Aktolgali	3.5 lengths