Last Saturday, Rosehill Gardens featured Group 1 racing, with multiple Group races littered throughout the program, while the $3.75 million All Star Mile headlined the meeting at Caulfield. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that are worth following and throwing into your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker.
Eagle Farm
Rail position: +0.5m entire circuit
Race 8: Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:11.11
- Horse to follow: Press Link (1st)
Press Link took his career record to three wins from as many starts after careering away from his rivals in the final 200m over 1200m at Eagle Farm. The Robert Heathcote-trained galloper has won in arrogant fashion at his last two starts over 1100m and 1200m, showing that he has a lot of ability in the process. Even though it appeared as though he wouldn’t pick the leaders halfway down the straight, once Michael Rodd shook him up, the son of Press Statement let down with an explosive turn of foot.
When to bet: As a lightly raced three-year-old going into the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, there are plenty of options for Heathcote and his team. It is possible that Press Link could target the Listed Daybreak Lover (3YO) and get his first crack at black type level on April 20 at Eagle Farm.
Rosehill Gardens
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 6: Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) | Time: 1:03.89
- Horse to follow: Libertad (2nd)
Libertad went into the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes second-up for the campaign, coming off a disappointing last place when fresh in a Benchmark 94 Handicap over 1000m. The Annabel Neasham-trained colt was made to travel three-wide without cover for the entire 1100m journey, but still rallied a strong challenge in the final 200m to finish less than a length off Red Card. Considering how well this son of Russian Revolution ran through the line, a rise in distance to 1200m third-up should suit him perfectly.
When to bet: Neasham and her team have Libertad nominated for the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes and Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint, with both races being over 1200m. It is expected that Libertad will run in the Arrowfield and take on his own age group again.
Race 9: Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) | Time: 1:15.62
- Horse to follow: Detonator Jack (3rd)
Detonator Jack returned from a three-month spell after an impressive spring campaign with a very good third-place finish in the Ajax Stakes, as the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding seeks to gain a start in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile. After settling behind the speed, the son of Jakkalberry took the lead at the 250m mark and held it until the final 75m before being run over by Democracy Manifest and Territory Express. Second-up, this five-year-old gelding will go very close to winning, if he competes over a similar distance.
When to bet: The Doncaster Mile looks to be the target race for Detonator Jack, so it is most likely that he will compete in the Doncaster Prelude on March 30, where he will be extremely hard to beat.
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