First day of the Flemington Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off, with Derby Day set down for decision. It is also Golden Eagle day from Rosehill, with a prize purse of $10million up for grabs in that race. Check out the PlayUp form analyst selections below.
Rosehill R4 #10 Pink Ivory $4.40 at PlayUp – I’m keen that this J Sargent mare can turn it around coming off a last start defeat at Randwick where she was beaten 14L. Obviously that doesn’t sound great on paper, but it was a bottomless heavy track which she simply does not handle, and it was also a month between runs leading into that. Go back two starts ago and she was very impressive winning here at the track over 1800m, and most importantly she gets back on to dry ground which will really suit. Well weighted, drawn perfectly in barrier three, and W Pike is an in-form rider.
Rosehill R6 #6 Lord Ardmore $18.00 at PlayUp – Very tricky edition of the Rosehill Gold Cup this year, so i’m angling for value in the shape of the Waller/ T Clark combo. This horse was a complete forgive run last start at Randwick, sitting four to five deep in running with no cover and somehow still finishing within 6.5L of the winner Ellsberg, who was coming off a G1 win the start prior. Lord Ardmore started $1.70 favourite against Durston two runs ago, and that horse is now a Caulfield Cup winner, and this horse beat Francesco Guardi five starts back and that horse has franked the form. Will go fwd and be in it for a long way.
Rosehill R7 #7 Lost And Running $2.35 at PlayUp – Time for the Everest fancy to bounce back here, after unfortunately missing that race due to a skin irritation in the days leading up. With Nature Strip being beaten in that feature, connections of Lost And Running have every reason to believe they likely would’ve won had the horse taken its place. It was hardly a setback in terms of fitness or race ability, so expect this gelding to come out here over the 1300m and prove simply too good for them. He is tuned up as if he is running in the worlds richest race on turf, it is just happening a little later than expected.
Flemington R5 #7 Turaath $3.70 at PlayUp – Have always been a massive fan of this horse, a bombproof galloper who puts herself in a winning position every time she hits the track. She has come back this prep in fine form, beaten only 2L in a G3 Northwood Plume Stakes first up, and then winning the Black Pearl at Geelong last start after coming from rearwards. I think she is even better when ridden much closer to the speed, and now third up to 1400m from barrier three expect her to lob in that position. The booking of one of the UK’s best riders in W Buick is a very positive sign, and she gets a chance to win another Flemington 1400m G2, having already won at this track, distance and level last Spring.
Flemington R6 #15 In Secret $3.40 at PlayUp – Think the Godolphin fancy will be too strong in the G1 Coolmore this year, and gets the chance to turn the tables on Jacquinot after they clashed in the Golden Rose last time out. I think this filly is much better suited back to 1200m which she finds today, and from barrier nine should be finding the perfect part of the track down the Flemington straight. Deservedly favourite here, and the camp are flying this Spring carnival already with a multitude of G1 wins courtesy of horses such as Anamoe and Golden Mile.
