Rosehill Gardens Racecourse will play host to 2017 San Domenico Stakes Day on Saturday afternoon; the headline race card in Sydney this weekend.

Talented fields have been taken for all nine races on 2017 San Domenico Stakes Day and we have analysed every horse in detail, in order to help you find a winner.

The 2017 San Domenico Stakes Day action is set to get underway with the running of the Highway Handicap (1100m) at 12:05pm, while the first black type race will be contested at 2:30pm

Race 1 (12:05pm) TAB Highway Handicap (1100m)

An open field of country horses will step out in this weekend’s Highway Handicap, including Lifesaver (barrier 5). The Helmet gelding has only made three appearances at the race so far, but has shown plenty of ability and is yet to finish worse than second. Drawn ideally and with in-form hoop Tye Angland in the saddle, he is undoubtedly the horse to beat. Red Knot (barrier 9) has not been seen at the races since May, but he posted several impressive results and looms as a major danger in this race, at each-way odds. Music Magic (barrier 2) has steadily built to the task this time and is ready to peak in this race, while Mossman Gorge (barrier 1) resumed for a smart win at Kembla Grange a fortnight ago and will only improve into his second-up task.

Tip: No. 3 Lifesaver ($2.15)

Race 2 (12:45pm) Pro It Handicap (1500m)

Race 2 on San Domenico Stakes Day has drawn an open field, including Awoke (barrier 6). The Rip Van Winkle mare resumed in July for a tough win at Canterbury and backed that up with a credible performance for second behind Philosophy in a Rosehill Gardens 1500m race on July 29^th. Trainer Chris Waller elected to scratch Awoke from a mid-wick race at Warwick Farm and that is perhaps a key indicator on how the mare is performing at home. Awoke also has the notable advantage of Hugh Bowman in the saddle and should prove extremely difficult to beat. Mariquita (barrier 4) has also been performing well this time in and is given the opportunity to return to winning form from a favourable draw and with in-form hoop Rachael King in the saddle. Prada Miss (barrier 7) and Chatachuk (barrier 2) are both live chances.

Tip: No. 8 Mariquita – Each Way ($6/$2)

Race 3 (1:20pm) ASX Thomson Reuters Charity Foundations Handicap (1100m)

Eleven horses have been confirmed for Race 3 and there is a case to be made for more than half the field. Improvement (barrier 10) will contest the race first-up and has been charged with overcoming 60.5kgs, but she was excellent amongst strong company last time and should be right in the finish of this race. Tango Rain (barrier 6) was impressive as a three-year-old and is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run for third in a Randwick 1000m sprint three weeks ago. Skylight Glow (barrier 11) will have his first start for Kris Lees and should be given a gem of a ride by Hugh Bowman, while consistent performer Pumpkin Pie (barrier 5) will also resume in the race, but may need a run to find peak condition.

Tip: No. 3 Tango Rain ($3.30)

Race 4 (1:55pm) Pacific Boating Handicap (2000m)

Twelve runners remain in contention for Race 4 on San Domenico Stakes Day and it is a particularly open affair from a betting perspective, following the scratching of leading contender King Viv. Vaucluse Bay (barrier 7) failed to fire last weekend, but his form prior was impeccable and he will appreciate a step back in class into this field. Nat King Cu (barrier 6) has been flying and while he does face a step up in class into this field, would not look out of place in the winner’s stall at long odds. Quick Defence (barrier 8) has also been consistent this time, but would need to improve to return to winning form, while Eureka Street (barrier 13) has been charged with overcoming the outside gate, but is a lightweight chance.

Tip: No. 2 Vaucluse Bay ($4.60)

Race 5 (2:30pm) Listed Premier’s Cup (1900m)

The first black type race on San Domenico Stakes Day will be run and won when nine stayers step out for the Premier’s Cup. Veteran Centre Pivot (barrier 7) has steadily built to the class this time and is probably offered his most ideal conditions to date in this race, while topweight Destiny’s Kiss (barrier 3) is also set to peak in the Premier’s Cup. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are set to launch a smart attack in the form of Dee I Cee (barrier 4) and Broadside (barrier 10). Both runners are proven performers at the track, distance and class of this race and are both live chances in betting markets. King Viv (barrier 1) carries winning form into the race and will have conditions to suit.

Tip: No. 7 Broadside ($2.80)

Race 6 (3:05pm) Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m)

Ten three-year-olds will step out in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m), including Addictive Nature (barrier 7). The Savabeel colt flew home to win a Warwick Farm 1100m sprint on debut in July before finishing second behind Shogun Sun in a Randwick 1200m race on August 5^th. The undefeated Assimilate (barrier 9) will resume from four weeks between runs and has the notable advantage of Hugh Bowman in the saddle, while Hypnotist (barrier 2) faces a notable step up in class, but has drawn ideally and will be ridden by Blake Shinn. Runaway (barrier 10) and Animalia (barrier 4) have both steadily built to the task this time in and are primed for big runs in the Ming Dynasty Quality.

Tip: No. 2 Assimilate – Each Way ($6/$2.20)

Race 7 (3:45pm) Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m)

Nine horses remain in contention for Saturday’s Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) following the scratching of leading contender Tulip. Pariah (barrier 10) has been outstanding through his short career so far and performed extremely well to finish just off the pace of Winx in a recent Randwick barrier trial. Stable mate Taking Aim (barrier 7) has not been seen at the races since June, but is a strong and consistent performer and up to the class of the San Domenico Stakes. Chauffeur (barrier 8), Condor Heroes (barrier 9), Madeenaty (barrier 3) and Jorda (barrier 2) are all more than capable at the class and distance and are live chances.

Tip: No. 1 Pariah  ($2.30)

Race 8 (4:25pm) Lindt Handicap (1500m)

Twelve horses remain in contention for Race 8 on San Domenico Stakes Day, including Special Missile (barrier 10). Taking a couple of runs to find peak condition this time, the Smart Missile gelding has since won each of his four most-recent starts, but has been charged with overcoming a tough draw and 62kgs this weekend. Hogmanay (barrier 1) will also lug a big weight, but will have plenty of early options from the rails draw. Coolcraft (barrir 2) is seeking a third-consecutive race win, but faces a step up in class, while Francesco (barrier 6), Meiner Freccia (barrier 7) and Rock Mylady (barrier 11) will all need to improve. The Pharaoh (barrier 9) has been racing in career-best form and will be tough to beat.

Tip: No. 2 Special Missile ($4)

Race 9 (5:05pm) Fiig Handicap (1200m)

Twelve sprinters are set to contest the final race on San Domenico Stakes Day. Bonny O’Reilly (barrier 1) was a revelation for trainer Bjorn Baker through autumn and winter and will resume in this race. She is undoubtedly one of, if not the class horse of the field and will be extremely difficult to beat, even with 59.5kgs in tow. Sir Bacchus (barrier 4) has yet to find consistent or winning form this time, but is up to this quality at his best and is drawn ideally, while Sir Plush (barrier 10) failed to fire at his last start, but was forced to weather a tough run in transit and is over the odds in this field.

Tip: No.7 Sir Plush – Each Way ($5.50/$2.10)