The Rosebud – 2022

Track: Likely Soft Weather: Showers.

Twelve runners have accepted for the $160,000 Listed Rosebud and there have been no early scratchings. The Godolphin stable trained by James Cummings has three entered for the event, the Annabel Neasham stable has two entries whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Kibou has opened the $3.00 favourite following back-to-back wins in June. The Maurice gelding has since had a nice trial in preparation for this and will likely have some residual fitness. Sebonack sits on the second line of betting at $4.80 who is returning after 147 days off. He started off his career with a win in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes before a luckless fourth in the Blue Diamond and a run to forget in the Golden Slipper.

Miss Hellfire and Zoukerino sit on the third line of betting at $6.50 apiece. Miss Hellfire is returning after 175 days following a mixed preparation that began with a bold run in the Magic Millions Wyong 2yo Classic followed by a win at the Gold Coast and ended poorly in the Talindert Stakes. Zoukerino began his career in July, where he was way too good for his opposition on the Kensington track. He saluted on the day by 3.5 lengths and he has since had a nice tick over trial to keep his fitness up for this one.

1. Sebonack (5)

Returning after 147 days. He started off his career with a win in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes before a luckless fourth in the Blue Diamond and a run to forget in the Golden Slipper. Two trials in the lead-up for this one, the first was impressive and the second trial was purely for fitness. Solid chance.

2. Sweet Ride (9)

Wasn’t the best return a fortnight ago when ninth, 6.8 lengths back. His best could shake this up but that first-up run has put me off.

3. Spacewalk (2)

Returning after 133 days. Entered for Caulfield as well. Last preparation has mixed form which finished in a tight third in the Kindergarten Stakes. Has had three spaced-out trials with the latest last week. James McDonald booked is ideal providing they remain in Sydney. Place chance.

4. Voldemort (8)

Beaten well a fortnight ago. Blinkers go on for the first time but James McDonald has jumped off. Can’t have.

5. Kibou (6)

Returning after 56 days. Won both races in June impressively since being gelded. Since then he has trialled once which was a nice hit out. Drawn well enough to get the rail should they want it. Will have a fitness advantage over most of his rivals. Top chance.

6. Troach (12)

Won in impressive fashion a fortnight ago. Drawn the widest gate and goes up 3.5kg in a much harder race. Place chance at best.

7. Miss Hellfire (1)

Returning after 175 days. Ran a bold run in the Magic Millions Wyong 2yo Classic first-up, followed by a win at the Gold Coast, and ended her preparation poorly in the Talindert Stakes. Two trials in preparation for this one with her latest being the most impressive. Drawn ideally and should be in the finish.

8. True Crime (7)

Yet to miss the top 2 in three race starts. Two runs back he was good behind Midnight In Tokyo before smashing the opposition on the water-logged Randwick track, that was called off straight after his race. Entered for the benchmark 72 earlier in the day as well. Handles all conditions and drawn okay. Place chance.

9. Contemporary (4)

Has had a 45-day freshen-up. Broke his maiden status last time out and has since had a tick over trial. Has the fitness but he will need to find a peak performance to figure.

10. Psychiatrist (10)

Returning after 141 days. Broke his maiden first-up last preparation before running credibly in the Todman Stakes followed by a poor run in the St Albans Stakes. One 740m trial in preparation for this. Will come on from this race but I can’t have it today.

11. Zoukerino (3)

Was very impressive on debut at Kensington, saluting by just over 3.5 lengths. Has since trialled well to keep the fitness up and the stable has a high opinion of him, so I expect him to be in the finish and run a big race.

12. Fire And Ice (11)

Has improved from last preparation but this looks too tough.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
11 Zoukerino	5 Kibou
1 Sebonack	1 Sebonack
5 Kibou	3 Spacewalk
7 Miss Hellfire	6 Troach