Golden Rose betting preview & top tips | September 23, 2023

The Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) is the feature event at Rosehill this Saturday, with a star-studded field of 13 chasing the $1 million prize packet on offer.

It’s a race packed with storylines as two of the world’s best jockeys – Joao Moreira and Ryan Moore – have made the trek to Sydney, once again seeking Group 1 glory aboard the Chris Waller-trained pair of Militarize and Shinzo.

Many form-lines converge here, with the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) boasting the majority as seven runners attempt to turn the tables on Godolphin colt Cylinder.

Meanwhile, Charm Stone makes the trip north from Melbourne as the lone filly in the field, looking to become the first girl to win the race since Forensics in 2008.

GOLDEN ROSE 2023 ODDS

After he scraped home in The Run To The Rose, online bookmakers have marked Cylinder as a +280 favourite in early markets, while the returning Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) winner Shinzo isn’t far away on the second line of betting at +450. Charm Stone (+500) has seen plenty of early support as she seeks a fourth-straight victory. The same can be said for King Colorado (+550), the only horse in the field to run in open company, and Encap (+650), who brings different form after proving too classy in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m). Dual Group 1 winner Militarize heads the double-figure chances, while the likes of Don Corleone (+3000) and Snapback (+7000) have been friendless in the market.

GOLDEN ROSE 2023 SPEED MAP

The speed map looks like a tricky one to assess, with a lack of notable leaders set to line up on Saturday. Moravia (4) elected to head forward in The Run To The Rose and may choose to land there again, while Snapback (11) could be set alight from the wide draw. Most of the main chances will be trying to find a sit with cover, meaning Militarize (2), Cylinder (6), Encap (3) and Charm Stone (1) shouldn’t be too far away from the leading pair. It leaves King Colorado (9) likely to drag back from the jump, while Shinzo (10) might find himself worse than mid-field as well. General Salute (12) and Nadal (13) may have no choice but to get back to near-last in the order unless Kerrin McEvoy and Zac Lloyd risk travelling three wide throughout the journey.

GOLDEN ROSE 2023 FORM & BETTING PREVIEW

King Colorado gets the nod in a wide-open edition of the Golden Rose Stakes after what we believe to be a luckless effort first-up in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m). The three-year-old colt was held up at a vital stage and should’ve finished much closer than the 2.4-length margin may suggest. He has trialled brilliantly since that performance, and although Jason Collett will need the breaks to fall his way from barrier nine, King Colorado is ready to chalk up his second Group 1 victory.

Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr will be searching for back-to-back Golden Rose wins, and Charm Stone is right in the mix. She’s been outstanding in both runs this preparation, with the latest a barnstorming effort to win the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 9. The daughter of I Am Invincible chased wide throughout the journey but still managed to clear out on her rivals to score by 1.25 lengths. Charm Stone may not come through what is considered the A-grade form, but with Damian Lane in the saddle, we’re happy to take the risk.

It was hard to miss the return of Militarize in The Run To The Rose on September 9. The two-time Group 1 winner was slow away from the stalls but hammered home down the centre of the course, producing some outstanding closing sectionals in the process. The double-figure odds on offer with online betting sites are very enticing, and with Joao Moreira taking the reins again, he’s a massive danger.

Shinzo warrants plenty of respect here; it’s just difficult to gauge the setup by the Chris Waller camp. First-up over 1400m is the only query, but we’re not about to underestimate the Golden Slipper winner.

GOLDEN ROSE 2023 SELECTIONS & BEST BETS

• 4

  KING COLORADO

• 13

  CHARM STONE

• 1

  MILITARIZE

• 2

  SHINZO

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