Victoria’s “race free week” starting from Sunday has caused tremendous controversy among participants. With no race meetings scheduled next week in Victoria most believe it’s a waste of time and opportunities. Stables can’t shut down, horses still have to be exercised daily, owners are denied any chance of winning prize money, while Victorian punters can’t punt on local meetings.
The only participants who actually get a break are jockeys. Racing at Caulfield will be crowd free on a heavy track this Saturday. While at Rosehill Gardens the track may well get into the good range for a full track report on Rosehill Click here Track Update – Rosehill Gardens, 22 July 2021.
Let’s find a winner for Saturday from our TRL trainers around the country.
THE STAGE BELONGS TO GAI
The first lady of racing and NSW Tycoons trainer Gai Waterhouse once graced stage and screen in a previous life as an actor. Now her galloper Regal Stage is doing the job. At his last start Regal Stage showed all that Waterhouse bone and muscle to win the Rockhampton Cup. Gai may as well pick up some prize money on the way home and Regal Stage (Race 7) looks well placed at Doomben and can salute again. Gai and Adrian Bott are also a big chance of winning the first at Rosehill with Silent Impact (Race 1). The regally bred Silent Impact (Maurice/Hollow Bullet) won on debut at Goulburn and is worth following at Rosehill.
Bet: Regal Stage – Win (Doomben Race 7)
Bet: Silent Impact – Each Way (Rosehill Race 1)
FREEDMAN HEADS NORTH
The Freedman Brothers may as well pack up and move to Brisbane. Michael and Richard have two runners at Doomben. Their best chance of winning appears to be Ulysses (Race 9) he over raced badly last start, so we are prepared to forgive that run and there’s already been good money for him in early markets.
BET: Ulysses – Each Way (Doomben Race 9)
CIARON MAHER TO FINISH WITH A BANG
Vic Husslers trainer Ciaron Maher is set to go out with a bang at Caulfield on Saturday. As always the Maher/Eustace yard has a strong book, with Maserartie Bay (Race 1) set to give them a flying start, he’s coming out of a really strong form race last start in Sydney and should be too good. Add champion jockey Jamie Kah to the scenario and the strike rate goes up a notch for the Vic Husslers training duo. Kah jumps aboard Murrumbidgee River (Race 6) and The Big Easy (Race 7). Murrumbidgee River is a stayer on the rise who was terrific in winning two starts back and was unlucky last time out at Sandown. While The Big Easy did the right thing by us winning last start and I’m happy to stick.
BET: Maserartie Bay – WIN (Caulfield Race 1)
BET: Murrumbidgee River – Each Way (Caulfield Race 6)
BET: The Big Easy – WIN (Caulfield Race 7)
WATCH OUT FOR TRUMBULL – KIM WAUGH
NSW Tycoons trainer Kim Waugh’s bid to get Trumbull into the Everest field starts on Saturday when the talented sprinter returns at Rosehill (Race 4). Trumbull is already a winner of the Everest consolation, the Sydney Stakes (Group 3) and has a dynamic first-up record of four wins from seven campaigns. We are cheering for Kim.
BET: Trumbull – Each Way (Rosehill Race 4)
BELMONT – BALLANTYNE’S SENTIMENTAL QUEEN
Black Hearts trainer Hayden Ballantyne has a gutsy competitor in Sentimental Queen (Race 6). She’s won 2 of 3 starts already this preparation, does have 60kgs but is drawn to get the gun run and improve on her wonderful record.
Bet: Sentimental Queen – Win (Belmont Race 6)