Rosehill Gardens has drawn nine strong fields for Saturday’s headline race card in Sydney; 2017 Winter Stakes Day.

Gold Symphony will prove tough to beat in the Listed Winter Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

Gold Symphony will prove tough to beat in the Listed Winter Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

All nine races will feature some of the best racehorses currently in work and we have analysed every runner in each event, in order to help you find a winner on Winter Stakes Day.

The Winter Stakes Day action is set to get underway with the running of the #TheRaces Handicap (1400m) at 11:30am, while the feature race is slated for 3:10pm.

Race 1 (11:30am) #TheRaces Handicap (1400m)

Eight two-year-olds will contest Race 1 at Rosehill on Saturday, including debut winner Siege Of Quebec (barrier 4). Having trialled well in the lead-up to his competitive debut, the Fastnet Rock colt led from start to finish in a Newcastle race over 1250m on June 27th and will only improve into this race. Calculated (barrier 1) resumed for an impressive win at Canterbury a fortnight ago and is another horse that will improve second-up, particularly with Hugh Bowman retaining the ride. Condor (barrier 8) appears ready to peak third-up, while Tennessee Tango (barrier 3) faces a step-up in class, but also looks more than capable.

Tip: No. 4 Siege Of Quebec ($3)

Race 2 (12:05pm) Book Spring Hospitality @ TheAtc.com.au Handicap (1350m)

Only nine horses have been confirmed in the final field for Race 2, however the depth of talent underlines the race as one of the most open of the day, from a betting perspective. Jason Coyle’s stable has been flying of late and are well represented in this race by last-start winner Insensata (battier 4). Labdien (barrier 2) is drawn ideally and should receive a gem of a ride from Kerrin McEvoy, while Lani Girl (barrier 5) will contest the race third-up, is rock-hard fit and ready to return to winning form. Pionerring (barrier 6) has been charged with overcoming a race-high 60.5kgs, but is arguably the class horse of the field and will be partnered by Hugh Bowman.

Tip: No. 4 Insensata ($3.90)

Race 3 (12:40pm) TAB Highway Handicap (1100m)

It is an open field of twelve country horses that has been confirmed for this weekend’s Highway Handicap and there is a case to be made for close to every horse. Cosmic Reign (barrier 12) has posted two wins and a close second this time in, but has been charged with overcoming the outside gate this weekend. Surprise Party (barrier 4) has not been seen at the races since February, but has trialled well in the lead-up to this campaign and has the class to win first-up. Malachi Crunch (barrier 6) and Imitation Game (barrier 5) have both steadily built to the task and would not look out of place in the winner’s stall on Saturday.

Tip: No. 5 Surprise Party ($4)

Race 4 (1:15pm) ATC Membership On Sale Handicap (1800m)

A capacity field of fourteen will step out on Race 4 on Winter Stakes Day and there is several live chances within the group. High Mist (barrier 13) has finished third at his two most-recent starts and has the class to overcome a wide draw and heavy weight, while Barbass (barrier 2) has shown plenty this time and is drawn to get a great run in transit. Vaucluse Bay (barrier 1) and Walk The Street (barrier 9) have both finished extremely close recently and are primed for big runs, while Samadoubt (barrier 8) and Thaad (barrier 4) both carry winning form into the race and will have conditions to suit this weekend.

Tip: No. 6 Barbass – Each Way ($21/$6)

Race 5 (1:50pm) The Everest Is Coming Handicap (1200m)

Dam Ready (barrier 13) is yet to show his best this time in, but will be rock-hard fit leading into his third-up task on Saturday and undoubtedly faces his best chance of returning to winning form in The Everest Is Coming Handicap. The More Than Ready gelding produced a number of strong performances and results through his spring and summer campaign and is more than up to the quality of this race, should he carry improvement. Conarchie (barrier 11) ran a close second at Randwick last time out and will only improve into this race, while Mana (barrier 1) and Adjective (barrier 6) are also both worth consideration in current form.

Tip: No. 8 Dam Ready – Each Way ($9.50/$3.20)

Race 6 (2:30pm) Winning Post Restaurant Handicap (1200m)

Several impressive sprinters will contest the Winning Post Restaurant Handicap, however Sir Plush (barrier 7) is set to start a clear race favourite. Resuming for a commendable win at Rosehill on June 17th, the Pins gelding ran on for second behind Calanda in the Schweppes BM93 (1100m) on July 1st. Calanda has since come out and won the Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) and Sir Plush has conditions to suit on Saturday. Main dangers included the always competitive Yesterday’s Songs (barrier 1), who is over the odds at his current quote, Washington Heights (barrier 11) and Suspense (barrier 4).

Tip: No. 11 Sir Plush ($3.10)

Race 7 (3:10pm) Listed ATC Winter Stakes (1400m)

A capacity field has been drawn to the Winter Stakes, however topweight Gold Symphony (barrier 12) appears as though he will be extremely tough to beat once more. Resuming for third in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1350m) on June 10th, the Reward For Effort gelding was luckless in transit in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), but still managed to run on for sixth. Returning to winning form in the Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) a fortnight ago, the horse has been charged with overcome a wide draw, but will be partnered by Hugh Bowman. Main dangers included Snippets Land (barrier 10), Extensible (barrier 2) and Burning Passion (barrier 8).

Tip: No. 1 Gold Symphony ($5)

Race 8 (3:50pm) Schweppes Handicap (2000m)

It is an open and capacity field set to line up for Race 8 on Saturday and cases can be made for more than half the field. Zourkhan (barrier 16) has returned to racing in excellent form this time, but has drawn awkwardly into this field and will need plenty of luck. Collateral (barrier 2) could only manage fourth at Warwick Farm last time out, but won his four starts prior to that and is not without a chance in this race. Life O’Brien (barrier 3) and Reiby The Red (barrier 14) have both found terrific form this time and should enjoy the conditions of this race, while Gold Ambition (barrier 13) should lay a good account for himself, if he can handle a race-high 61.5kgs.

Tip: No. 3 Collateral ($4.50)

Race 9 (4:30pm) TAB.com.au Handicap (1500m)

Fourteen horses will contest the TAB.com.au Handicap; the final race on 2017 Winter Stakes Day. Flow (barrier 8) ran on to finish third in the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) last time out and should only take benefit into this race, while Lay Down The Law (barrier 14) has also found strong form recently, but faces a notable step up in class. Reneged (barrier 3) has been competitive and is drawn ideally, while former German horse Four Carat (barrier 1) will resume in the race with claiming apprentice Lee Magorrian in the saddle.

Tip: No. 4 Flow ($3.80)

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.