Amid the possibility of more negative State political involvement, Rosehill Gardens on Saturday continues the dreary start to the Sydney Spring with Melbourne again leading the way, ironically with Private Eye, from Warwick Farm, a major player.
Private Eye, an eight-year-old, is the highest rated horse of the day at both top venues and takes his place in the Group two Lawrence at Caulfield while the feature in Sydney is the Rosebud, at Listed level, that drew only six acceptors. Shaggy was subsequently withdrawn, preferring Caulfield’s Vain Stakes.
With the recent wet, Sydney racing has been in the doldrums and anticipated action is upcoming that prompted an email from Peter Mair, a longtime correspondent, during a recent clean out I still had a missive from him dating back to 2003. His latest can be read on my WRITE TO MAX Page (scroll to the bottom to NSW GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF THE RACING LEGISLATION https://maxpresnell.com/write-to-us/)
New South Wales racing has been a lush paddock for State “has-beens” to spend their golden years, left in the dust of what Federal counterparts have contributed to the industry, and betting turnover: The Hons John Brown, Bob Hawke, Andrew Peacock, and Michael McCormack.
Perhaps Brown, who cut his teeth with George Musson, a coup specialist, was in the “sell Rosehill camp” but that is more political than punter. Musson trained at Rosehill.
Maybe the Lawrence this year doesn’t have the appeal of J.J. Listen, the former title, where greats launched their spring campaigns, but it’s still an intriguing sprint.
Private Eye has score on the board and is Caulfield bound because the Australian Turf Club dropped the abandoned Missile from a possible Wednesday this week at Randwick.
Trainer Joe Pride is enthusiastic about Nash Rawiller departing Sydney for the Private Eye engagement.
“Nash left the decision until late, he hopped off rides in Sydney to be on him, so he is keen,” Pride told Racing.com.
Spice has been added to the Lawrence although Chris Waller scratched Full Count Felicia but has two imports, Moira, a US bred, and Anisette (Great Britain), Yulong extravagants, left in. On their form in Canada and the United States they can win, particularly if Waller has waved his Via Sistina wand over them.
But the locals, too, won’t be a soft touch for Private Eye. Another veteran Here To Stock, tuned by the Hayes brothers who do so well with Mr Brightside, will commence his campaign but produced his best last season as a seven-year-old. Could he still be on the rise?
And also has Evaporate, who races in the silks of Frank Cook, very much a Sydneysider, and partners.
“He’s a horse we are really excited about,” Ben Hayes, spokesman for the team, explained. Hayes, though, reckons, Evaporate goes “10 percent over the top”. Thus ear-muffs will be employed on him during the race.
With Private Eye, rival Yellow Sam, sold this week for a stack, has had the benefit of recent racing. “If she is ever going to win a top race this is it,” trainer Lindsay Smith divulged.
A $20 chance, Yellow Sam figures strongly with track and distance credentials having four starts over the Caulfield 1400 metres for a win and three placings.
Hard racing condition could also play a roll at Rosehill in the Rosebud as the promising Skyhook, Blitzburg, Pallaton, and Peleus are having their first starts after breaks.
Rival Hello Jack scored on July 25 against two-year-olds, he will win races, but beware of Grand Prairie, also a member of the Yu Long herd, although beaten last start by nearly three lengths by the older Stardeel.
Grand Prairie lacks the promise of the opposition but has a big fitness edge and being on 53.5kg, a weight pull.
Back to Royal Randwick next week, and the Winx Stakes, the much-required lift to Sydney racing, bountiful for so long under the Australian Jockey Club rule, not just centred on two or three promoted events, loaded by excessive prizemoney.
Which was before the State politicians ventured into the field with Racing NSW.
