Rosehill Racing Tips: Saturday, January 29th

Impossible start to the meeting with a field of 14 for the Highway.

Terry Robinson has a strong team of three runners assembled for the race. Tommy Berry jumping on (4) King’s Trust might be a good lead but (10) Lord Desanimaux has racked up five top-two finishes from his past six starts and is never far away in races like this.

The other runner for the stable is (18) Spritely Emily with Brock Ryan aboard and despite going around at $35, isn’t hopeless. Didn’t get any luck in a similar race two starts ago behind Banju.

(12) Tidal Rush represents the Cavanough stable, who pulled off a huge plunge on debut. Made it two wins from three starts last time out and can go well.

Chances don’t end there in a typically tough Highway.

Tip: (10) Lord Desanimaux E/W $7.00 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: No bet

Plenty of eyes will be on the Coolmore colt (4) Great Barrier Reef on debut for Chris Waller and James McDonald. JMac taking the ride on the son of I Am Invincible is a good lead with two other Waller runners in the race. Won a trial back in November before returning to the trials a couple of weeks ago, where he was given a quiet time of things behind the leading division.

(3) Flashing Steel debuted two weeks ago and started a well-backed favourite. Was slow away but worked home well and is potentially the value at near double figure odds.

(8) Zambezi River ran 2^nd in the Breeders’ Plate on debut and stablemate (7) Robusto showed some ability on debut at Flemington in the Spring.

Tip: (4) Great Barrier Reef $2.00 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 1.5 units WIN Great Barrier Reef

(4) Drisana was an eye-catching run on debut behind Coolangatta in the Gimcrack Stakes, with that form obviously working out to be very strong. Was slow away and left with way too much to do that day so if she can get away cleaner on this occasion, might be able to knock off the more fancied stablemate.

(1) Ebhaar is the favourite and made a winning debut in Melbourne in the Merson Cooper Stakes. Won her recent trial ahead of her return to the races here and deserves favouritism.

(2) Ojai won the Kirkham Plate on debut before running 3^rd to Sejardan in the Golden Gift. Gets JMac today.

(6) Pantonario looks the leader and will take some catching.

Tip: (4) Drisana $6.50 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units WIN Drisana

Looks between Bowman and McDonald here on two Waller runners.

Siding with (2) Centimental to upset the favourite. Has improved with each un back from a spell, finishing 2^nd last start over 1300m on soft ground. Has three top-two finishes from as many starts when third up from a spell so looks ready to peak, has finished in both starts at the distance and should also appreciate getting back onto firm ground.

(4) And We Danced has had two starts in Australia for two 2^nd placings. JMac goes on today from the inside gate and comes into this on the 7-day back up. Looks to get every chance once again.

Tip: (2) Centimental $5.00 TAB

Saver: (4) And We Danced $3.00 TopSport

Betting Strategy: 1 unit WIN Centimental, 0.5 units WIN And We Danced

Looks a nice race for (4) Military Expert, who was last seen running 3^rd in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude behind Lightsaber. Prior to that ran 2^nd to Coastwatch in the Ming Dynasty. Resumes in a BM72 Midway Hcp and provided he gets across without too much trouble from the draw, should take plenty of beating.

(8) Akihiro has run some good races when fresh and both career wins have come at this trip. Gets a nice draw and is an each way chance at the price.

(13) Noble Soldier is another that can be included at big odds. Was luckless more than once last prep and is up to this sort of grade. Wide gate hurts.

(2) Misteed gets blinkers on third up.

Tip: (4) Military Expert $3.00 TAB

Betting Strategy: 1 unit WIN Military Expert

2000m race with a very suspect field means I’ll be sitting out.

(2) Crystal Pegasus will attract plenty of fans with Waller and JMac teaming up and stepping this horse up to 2000m second up after a good fresh run over 1500m. Tricky draw to overcome but there isn’t much to this race.

(1) So Wicked was a much-improved performance last start after pulling up with cardiac arrhythmia two starts back.

(7) Casino Kid continues to run well and broke through for a deserved win last start.

(5) Travest and (6) My Demetra are both in winning form.

Tip: (2) Crystal Pegasus $3.60 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: No bet

We see the return of Cox Plate runner-up (6) Anamoe here, first up over 1200m after his gallant defeat over 2040m at The Valley last time we saw him. The obvious query is how sharp he’s going to be fresh off just one trial over a distance clearly below his best, but he has a fair class edge on his rivals here when he’s at his best. Looms as a fascinating race given his vulnerability.

I think (7) Tiger Of Malay could be the one to roll him. Was ordinary first up last preparation but bounced off that to beat Converge in the Sires’ Produce in Brisbane. That’s a very respectable form reference and he returned from a nine-week let up later in the prep to win the Up And Coming Stakes at Kembla. Two trials this time as opposed to just the one trial last prep suggests to me they want to have him ready to win this.

(1) Standout has form behind Masked Crusader, Big Parade and Eduardo from last preparation which obviously appears very strong.

Tip: (7) Tiger Of Malay $7.50 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units WIN Tiger Of Malay

Good, competitive race this but it’s hard to look past the favourite (4) Yiyi who ran well first up behind Kingsheir. Meets him slightly better at the weights, gets JMac on from barrier 1 and should improve second up. One of the best of the day.

(7) Canasta will lead and take catching. Has three 2nds from three starts over the track and distance and was only nailed late last start.

(3) Holyfield is another in good form, with a win two starts ago followed by a nose defeat in the Magic Millions Cup on the Gold Coast last start.

(5) Kingsheir is going well.

Tip: (4) Yiyi $2.60 TopSport

Betting Strategy: 2 units WIN Yiyi

Another favourite for JMac that looks hard to go past here with (6) Rule Of Law, who is undefeated from three starts this preparation. Rises in grade from BM72 to BM88 company but does drop in weight from 60kg to 57kg and gets McDonald aboard. Drawn the inside pole, plenty to like.

(4) The Bopper draws awkwardly in barrier 9 and is likely ridden back with Bowman aboard. Won well first up before a disappointing effort last start. Perhaps back on firmer going will be helpful?

(9) Tamerlane next best.

Tip: (6) Rule Of Law $2.50 Bet365

Betting Strategy: No bet

(7) Above And Beyond’s form doesn’t read terrifically well for this but the booking of James McDonald certainly raises eyebrows. He’s had 14 rides for Gary Portelli in the past 12 months, resulting in six winners and three 2nds. When he rides for this stable, they more often than not run well. Include at double figure odds.

(14) Narvaez was huge first up in Melbourne, parked three-deep the trip and battling on strongly for 3^rd. Hard to line that form up with Sydney form but has to be respected.

(6) Van Giz was sound first two starts this prep before finishing midfield on the Gold Coast last start.

Tip: (7) Above And Beyond $15/$3.75 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units E/W Above And Beyond