1. Corniche (James Cummings): is an improving type, and he went out on a career peak figure last prep when winning the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m). Further, he had every chance but showed a sharp turn of foot, ran solid time with strong margins confirming the quality of the race, and beat subsequent Group 1 Golden Slipper winner (1200m) Shinzo. He resumes here and has recently trialled well in a fast-time heat at Randwick. In addition, he is on an upward ratings spiral, maps to have all favours with Nash Rawiller riding, and this looks like a target race by the stable.
2. Barber (James Cummings): Resumes here and is two from two first-up over 1100m. He brings all the superior form lines from his two-year-old preparation, including starting $5 favourite in the Group 1 Blue Diamond (1200m). The Godolphin galloper has a strong profile but must contend with a tricky gate.
3. Libertad (Annabel Neasham): Has style and comes into Saturday's race undefeated. The colt won with ease on debut and then kept finding under pressure to score in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m). Moreover, that race rated well relative to the day even after adjusting for the first use of the track, age, class, additional factors and repeating that effort/figure can put him in the finish. He is first-up and comes through the same trial as Corniche. Additionally, he will need luck from the wide barrier and is a key market watch.
4. The Instructor (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Brings a fitness edge and has a solid profile for the Rosehill 1100m. The Waterhouse/Bott runner started $4.20 in the Listed Rosebud (1100m) first-up, and although having all favours, he was solid. Further, he sat outside the leader, albeit at a very slow tempo and battled on well to hold third place. With his ratings pattern supporting this, he will undoubtedly improve from that effort and will take some catching.
5. Introducing (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Brings a similar profile/platform to his stablemate, The Instructor, and he fought on bravely to run second in the Listed Rosebud (1100m). He is an honest on-pace type suited on dry ground and an outstanding front-running rider Tim Clark sticks. The three-year-old is still learning and will continue to improve with race experience.
6. Butch Cassidy (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Is wound up for this assignment after two solid trials and strikes his preferred going where he produces his peak performances. He maps to have all favours from the inside draw and raced well fresh in his first campaign.
7. Armed Forces (Chris Waller): Has had two trials over 900m at this track and looks to have returned well. Forgive his debut run last prep, where he had issues and didn't handle the testing track. He looks in for a strong campaign but prefer him over more ground.
8. General Salute (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou): Ran fast time to break through for his maiden win at Warwick Farm last prep and then was immediately spelled. The colt's win had merit after sitting outside the leader in a genuine tempo and then accelerated away from his rivals, running some of the fastest closing splits of the meeting. He must step sharply in grade but has trialled well, maps positively and is a market watch.
9. Kandinsky Abstract (Chris Waller): Is an exciting $3M colt with ability, and his debut win at Canterbury had merit. The Waller trained galloper travelled well, accelerated and went through the line full of energy, running some of the quickest final 600m/400m/200m splits of the meeting. All key indicators and his recent trials suggest he can only step off that performance and is undoubtedly in for a successful campaign.
10. Fire Star (Peter & Paul Snowden): Is a knockout chance, and he represents value. He started a well-fancied $1.40 favourite at Wyong on debut, and although only a provincial maiden, the colt smashed the clock. His win rated extremely well, and his figure historically suggests he can come to the metropolitan level and be competitive against his own age. Further, he brings a fitness edge, will roll forward and Rosehill 1100m suits.
11. Moravia (Michael Freedman): Is still learning but won dominantly in his first start at Newcastle over 900m. Moreover, he had every chance but sprinted hard and easily put his rivals away. He will be more suited up in distance and can improve again, but he faces much tougher opposition here.
12. Cigar Flick (Chris Waller): Scratched.
13. Untouchable Legend (Team Hawkes): Overcame the race shape to break through for her maiden win at Canterbury 10 days ago. The filly has a strong platform, is on an upward ratings spiral and can settle closer from the inside gate. However, some query back in distance.
Selections:
1. CORNICHE
10. Fire Star
9. Kandinsky Abstract
4. The Instructor
