ROSEHILL March 25

RACE 3 (7) AWESOME JOHN: John O'Shea has strong hand here with this rising 3YO and stablemate STROKE OF LUCK taking on the NZ Derby placegetter FULL OF SINCERITY. AWESOME JOHN stamped himself as a classic prospect late last year with a Flemington second in good company coming after strong wins over 1600m and 1800m and expect him to frank his Derby claims here after his eye catching finish in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) when second up. Screaming for this trip and has shown good ability on affected tracks.

RACE 5 (15) BACCHANALIA: Wide open sprint but the prospect of a soft track plays into the hands of this honest Godolphin sprinter as he has missed a place only once in eight starts on affected tracks including four wins. Resumed in top form with a strong victory as an odds on fav under 56kg at Kembla Grange and is certain to make his presence felt with only 53kg from a kind draw that puts him in the right place from the start. Conditions will suit other lighter weighted runners - include 9, 10, 12, 14 and 16 in the exotics.

RACE 6 (10) ROOTS: Conditions are right for this honest mare to run to her best on her home track. Resumed with an excellent third in the G2 Millie Fox over 1300m at this course then only a half length off the winner when fourth in the G3 Aspiration at Randwick when jumping to 1600m second up. This looks her target race as she drops 3kg off her last start and is one of the best wet trackers in this field with four wins from nine starts on affected tracks. Be wary of high class imported mares (1) GOING GLOBAL, (6) STATEMENT and (19) TIMES SQUARE. 2, 4, 7, 14 and 16 are must inclusions for exotics.

Selections

RACE 1: 12-2-1-7

RACE 2: 8-9-3-2

RACE 3: 7-4-1-3

RACE 4: 6-5-8-4

RACE 5: 15-10-12-14

RACE 6: 10-6-16-7

RACE 7: 3-1-2-7

RACE 8: 14-8-1-5

RACE 9: 12-5-4-15

RACE 10: 19-7-13-6

RACE 1: Tough Midway starts a tricky day on an affected track with rail out 5m from the 1400m and 4m for the remainder. First use of track from rails draw for (12) TWO UP, an accomplished wet tracker, could give him an edge. Good wet tracker (3) LANCASTER BOMBER beat 1 and 14 over 1200m here two weeks ago – weights favour 14 this time but he has no wet form. Expecting strong runs fresh from resuming pair (2) TAMPERING and (6) MYDEEL (loves it wet). 7, 13 and 15 for exotics.

RACE 2: (1) AMUR will need to lift off his Melbourne form under the topweight of 59kg and the Black Opal form is average. Leaves me with (8) WAVERLEY as the one to improve sharply at his third career start going up in trip after taking the eye in shorter races. Can also entertain Canberra filly (9) MISS GHENT after she beat older maidens easily over 1200m on Black Opal day, running home hard in faster sectionals than the 2YO feature. (3) THE YEARS led home the Black Opal runners but rises 1.5kg.

RACE 4: More new internationals add a lot of depth to this field. (8) THIRD REALM boasts Dubai Honour form lines and  early support indicates his Victorian jump outs have pleased the Freedman stable while Annabel Neasham has been patient waiting for the right race for her pair (4) GEAR UP and (7) FANCY MAN. They rate well enough but will have to be on their game to get the better of a fitter (6) ZEYREK after running best sectionals from the 800m in the G3 Sky High when jumping quickly from 1400m to 2000m. (5) SUNSHINE RISING meets him 1kg better - just have to ignore that he's a 9YO without a win since 2019. Doomben Cup winner (1) HUETOR shapes as a big improver third up on a soft track.

RACE 7: Top class Kiwi filly (1) PROWESS lands here off a G1 success against older rivals chasing her fifth successive win. Ticks all the boxes but has she met a filly with the potential of (3) PAVITRA, who was second in the G2 Wakeful and G1 VRC Oaks in the spring and is set to go all the way this campaign after her hollow second up win in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) where she treated her rivals with contempt. With her upside and ability to handle the wet the Kiwi filly may have to find more after a long summer campaign. Don't discount last season's top juvenile (2) FIREBURN as she will relish a wet track and has been trained to get this distance.

RACE 8: Right race and conditions for class mare (14) MONTEFILIA, rating her on her 2400m/2500m form that includes her ATC Metropolitan win, third in the VRC Oaks and fourths in the ATC Derby and two Caulfield Cups. Backs up from a gallant second in last week's high rating Ranvet and that form will be the benchmark for the rest of the autumn. Melbourne Cup winner (1) GOLD TRIP can improve with added fitness on a soft track while front running stablemates (2) KNIGHT'S HONOUR and (8) SIR LUCAN will ensure it is a stern staying test. Wary of Irish stayer (9) CLEVELAND – they say he's here for the Sydney Cup but can you trust the Irish? Favourable conditions for (3) VOW AND DECLARE, (4) STOCKMAN (blinkers backs on) and (5) ARAPAHO to run well at good odds.

RACE 9: It's a Waller-thon with half the field coming from the top stable. Wide draw on an affected track could play the right way for (12) WATERFORD as he will be fitter for his last start second over this course when left with too much to do off a slow speed. Waller's other chances include (2) SKYMAN (good trial) and a fitter (15) WELWAL. (5) CROSS TALK and stablemate (7) RIODINI (blinkers on) will dictate and are sure to be tough to run down while the genuine (4) BANDERSNATCH is ready to peak third up. (13) MUNHAMUK faces more depth than his recent Melbourne wins. Watch dual acceptor (14) TIMES SQUARE if they prefer this race.

RACE 10: Dual acceptor (19) FINEPOINT needs scratchings but well placed in this if this is her selected race. She's Group placed and needed the run first-up when a game third in this grade behind the fitter (6) MAOTAI. Weights and extra 100m in her favour this time. Same applies to the runner up (7) TAMERLANE as he's well in with benefit of 2kg claim for hot apprentice. Wary of the import (11) SUBSTANTIAL – left the UK in winning form and impressed in his recent trial. Respect good wet tracker (13) ITA at big odds.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – March 25-28

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Waihaha Falls (R5); Atishu (R6/R9); Skyman (R9); New Mandate (R9); Katalin (R10)

EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Bobby Shiraz (R1); Kipsbay (R8)

WYONG SATURDAY: Belyaev (R5); Simplicity (R5); Vividness (R5); Victory Salute (R6)

KEMBLA GRANGE TUESDAY: Lipscani (R4); Silent Raindrops (R4); Salaasel (R4); Nibidano (R4); Thalursian (R5)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Californian; Watch The Clock; Air To Air; Airman; Libertad; Short Shorts; Scientist; Martial Music; Parisal; Jedibeel; Autumn Ballet; Smart As Smart; Bacchanalia; Soldier Of Rome; Just Like Lisa; Artorius; Kallos; Shadows Of Love; Amazonian Lass; Tu Qui Santuzza; High Plateau; Secaution; Introducing.

TRIAL POINTERS

NEWCASTLE February 16: KIPSBAY is an exciting talent with his 800m heat win as good as you will see at provincial trials.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – March 24-25

MOONEE VALLEY FRIDAY: Chain Of Lightning (R7); Belmia (R8)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Zeyrek (R4); Waihaha Falls (R5); Flying Crazy (R5); More Secrets (R6); Solar Apex (R10)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Snapped (R1); Mo'Unga (R7); Emissary (R7)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Butch Cassidy; Mr Brightside; Meridius; Almania; Jal Lei; Osipenko; Lindermann; Swords Drawn; Regal Pom; Sha Of Gomer; Lekvarte; Iron Grace; Queen Air; Spacewalk; Competition; Jacquinot; Hokkaido; Levante; Deficit; Frumos; Mr Rock It; Dunkel; Sunshine In Paris; Skyman.

Blackbookers – Selected March 18

(Follow for next 3 starts)

DOUCEUR: Recent efforts have her ready.

FRANKIE PINOT: Should enjoy a good prep. 

PALAISIPAN: Nice return. Better for it.

QUALITY TIME: More distance on a big track.

TRIFLING: Good youngster with prospects.