Friday, Sept. 11th – Rosehill (Race 6B), The “Golden Rose,” 7 furlongs, 3yo only, 1:45 AM Sat. Purse = AUD $1,000,000
The Golden Rose is an interesting race, intended to act as a bridge for the 2yo sprinters that flourished the previous Fall to the mile races in Sydney and Melbourne later in the spring. The 7 furlong distance in Australia is generally not considered that important compared to the 6 furlong races and the mile races; both of those distances are considered better distances to evaluate colts for their abilities to sire quality offspring. But the Golden Rose has a huge purse, and it invariably draws the best Spring 3 year olds Sydney has to offer. The Rosehill surface will be on the firm side, so the quality of racing should be high.
#2 EXOSPHERE (2/1 ML) is quite possibly the largest successful racehorse I have ever seen. He has MASSIVE hindquarters, and is sired by Lonhro, who stood for a few years in Lexington at Darley/Jonabell Farm (Darley owns Lonhro). With limited numbers, Lonhro’s babies that were born in Kentucky are doing great in North American and Europe, but Lohnro hates to get on airplanes so I read this week he will probably not come back to the US. He’s considered a top 3 sire in Australia, and Exosphere appears to be the best runner. His last race beats this field easily, and he should improve second off the layoff, so he is a very deserving favorite.
#1 PRESS STATEMENT (3/1 ML) ran first off the layoff as Exosphere, and has a right to improve. Logical second choice.
#9 SPEAK FONDLY (4/1 ML) comes from the same family as champion Bounding Away and her mare has produced several good race horses. Her numbers are improving, she gets a 4 pound weight break because she is a female facing males, and she is definitely on the improve.
#3 GOLD SYMPHONY (25/1) is an improving Melbourne shipper that doesn’t measure up on the numbers but trainer Peter Moody excels with horses running the awkward 7 furlong distance and he has had a lot of success shipping into Sydney over the last 3 years.