Underwood & Golden Rose
The mighty Group 1's keep coming at us with Rosehill and Sandown taking centre stage today.
Boom horse Zaaki will go around at incredibly short odds in the $1m Underwood Stakes at Sandown. Further north, Anamoe is the undisputed favourite in the Golden Rose, however I'm keen to take him on at Rosehill - even though I love the Godolphin colt, so seeing him win will not break my heart.
Here's how we see things unfolding...
UNDERWOOD STAKES (1800m, Group 1, $1 million) Zaaki enters as the top dog, with the market basically labelling him an over-the-line job. He does meet class animals and how the race is run could be the only way he gets beat.
Probabeel backs up from the Sir Rupert Clarke and will enjoy the vast track at Sandown, whilst The Chosen One could be the major knockout chance. Superstorm is a quality horse, returning after his Valley win last start at Group 2 level.
TIP - NO BET (but I can see one of Probabeel, Superstorm or The Chosen One turning over Zaaki).
GOLDEN ROSE (1400m, Group 1, $1 million) Anamoe overcame a small hiccup in preparation for The Run To The Rose where he handled his opposition. The win was better the more I watched the replay and considered the expected improvement we'll see here. Of course he deserves favouritism but I'm keen to try Artorius at the price. He went under 2nd up as a short favourite so the punters may have stepped away from the Freedman colt.
He was explosive fresh up and with added fitness, I believe he's an excellent each way go.
TIP - (2) ARTORIUS each way $8. (Happy to play the exacta with Anamoe)
A few more worth a penny...
Rosehill R5 N1 SWORD OF STATE $7 - boom Kiwi 2YO who arrives in Oz at the top of the weights. Could be special. R7 N2 ENTRIVIERE $2.40 - 6/8 over her career and won well fresh at Kembla. Short, but sweet! Sandown R4 N3 MAC N CHEESE $7 - C. McEvoy has said she will love the big track and be fitter for this. R5 N2 ELEPHANT $2.20 - 5/6 overall, won first-up at Caulfield then was brave in defeat to Superstorm. MILDURA (Harness) R8 N8 BERNIE WINKLE $2.30 - absolute track specialist, winning 33 times at Royal Mildura.
Good luck, enjoy a mammoth sporting fiesta and gamble very very responsibly!