Jockeys’ premiership battle set to intensify at Rosehill
James Mcdonald and Nash Rawiller will continue their premiership arm wrestle at Rosehill where both present with strong books of rides.
Reigning titleholder McDonald sits on 84 Sydney wins this season, three ahead of Rawiller after both added to their respective tallies at Wednesday’s Randwick-Kensington meeting.
McDonald has rides in all 10 races on Saturday including four early favourites, while Rawiller has six mounts, highlighted by the Kris Lees-trained Age Of Sail, the top pick for The Agency Real Estate Handicap (2400m).
With Rawiller to miss the upcoming midweek card due to a whip suspension, he will be on a mission to make a dent in McDonald’s lead at Rosehill before returning for the final two city meetings at Randwick on Saturday week and Warwick Farm on July 31.
However, McDonald is nothing if not competitive.
He has cast his net wide and will link with seven different trainers on Saturday, including Ciaron Maher for whom he has a trio of rides.
Arguably the most interesting is former French mare Sivka Burka who makes her Australian debut in the Schweppes Handicap (1100m).
Unlike most imports, Sivka Burka is a sprinter-miler rather than a stayer and while she is still a work in progress, Maher’s Sydney foreman Johann Gerad-Dubord says she has the class to make her presence felt.
“She used to be very keen in the races in France. She knows how to run, so we have been trying to teach her to relax as much as we can,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“Both trials have been very much about having a good time, a quiet time, trying to get her to switch off, which is why both times we have kept her on the bridle.
“She is a stakes winner in France and if she does everything the right way and relaxes well, she will run very well.”
Sivka Burka is a Listed winner over 1400m in France and has been twice stakes placed over the same journey.
After opening at $11 earlier this week, she was into $8.50 on Thursday with betting apps with Rawiller’s ride in the race, Contemporary, marked at $3.90, second only to in-form filly and $2.30 race favourite In Flight.
More Racing News
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...