Race overview

• Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
• Location: Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney
• Distance: 1500 meters
• Conditions: Open to horses three years old and upwards.
• Status: Group 1 race
• Prize Money: $1,000,000

Runner by runner

1. Think about it (17) – Stradbroke Handicap winner. Second-up. First-up after four months 2nd of 7 at Randwick in the G1 Cant Stks on March 9 over 1300m, 1.3 len behind Lady Laguna carrying 59kg at $2.30. Previously second-up favourite; won by a long-neck at Randwick Everest October 14 over 1200m defeating I Wish I Win with 58.5kg at $4. Sure to run well despite drawing out.

2. Cepheus (14) – Multiple Group 2 winner. Second-up. First-up after three months ran last of 11 at Randwick in the G3 Liverpool on March 2 over 1300m, slow going 9 len behind Phearson with 60kg at $26. Previously second-up 3rd of 16 at Doomben Hcp on February 25 2023 over 1350m, 0.6 len behind Animate with 58kg at $5.50. Needs to do a lot more.

3. Pericles (15) – Multiple Group 2 winner. Useful gelding. At the latest run 5th of 7 at Randwick in the G1 Cant Stks on March 9 over 1300m, 3 len behind Lady Laguna with 59kg at $9. The race before that came from midfield; 2nd of 8 at Caulfield in the G1 Futurity Stakes on February 24 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Mr Brightside carrying 59kg at $9.50. Going well and has fitness on his side.

4. Kovalica (19) – Queensland Derby winner. Second-up. First-up after four months 4th of 11 at Randwick in the G3 Liverpool on March 2 over 1300m, slow going 2 len behind Phearson carrying 59.5kg at $10. Previously second-up 2nd of 18 at Randwick in the G1 Epsom on September 30 over 1600m, nose behind Rediener carrying 54kg at $10. Don’t underestimate.

5. Golden Mile (5) – Caulfield Guineas winner. Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming sat behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 7 at Randwick in the G2 Expressway on February 17 over 1200m, slow going 5.5 len behind King Of Sparta with 57.5kg at $11. Second run from a spell 8th of 11 at Randwick in the G3 Liverpool on March 2 over 1300m, slow going 5 len behind Phearson carrying 59.5kg at $15. Mediocre effort last start but is capable of better.

6. Navajo Peak (10) – Group 2 winner. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 4th of 9 at Randwick in the G2 Apollo on February 17 over 1400m, slow going 3 len behind Fangirl with 59kg at $41. Second-up second last of 8 at Randwick in the G1 V Elleegant on March 2 over 1600m, slow going 7 len behind Think It Over with 59kg at $17. Better than that recent moderate performance suggests.

7. Unspoken (1) – Second run back. First-up after four months sat on the pace before fading 8th of 11 at Newcastle in the G3 Ncle Stakes on March 8 over 1400m, 4.5 len behind Rustic Steel with 58.5kg at $5. Previously second-up won by a neck at Randwick Bm88 September 30 over 1600m defeating Highlights carrying 58kg at $4.50. Needs to lift.

8. Bandersnatch (11) – Group 3 winner. Second run back. First-up after four months ran last of 7 at Randwick in the G1 Cant Stks on March 9 over 1300m, 5 len behind Lady Laguna with 59kg at $51. Previously second-up 6th of 14 at Caulfield in the G1 Memsie on September 2 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Mr Brightside with 59kg at $101. Will struggle against these.

9. Loch Eagle (9) – Group 2 winner. Last start 6th of 11 at Newcastle in the G3 Ncle Stakes on March 8 over 1400m, 4 len behind Rustic Steel carrying 57.5kg at $14. The start before that 8th of 17 at Gold Coast in the LR Mm Cup on January 13 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Semana with 58.5kg at $6. Favour others today.

10. Mighty Ulysses (3) – Group 3 winner. First-up. Finished off last preparation when last in a small field at Newmarket (Rowley) in the G2 Joel Stakes September 29 over 1609m, 7 len behind Mutasaabeq carrying 60kg at $5. Previously first up; fifth of 8 at Ascot in the G2 Summer Mile Stakes July 15 over 1609m, 9 len behind Master Of The Seas carrying 58.5kg at $7.50. Win would surprise.

11. New Energy (16) – Group 1 placegetter. Second-up. First-up after 10 months 2nd of 11 at Randwick in the G3 Liverpool on March 2 over 1300m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Phearson carrying 56kg at $8. Previously second-up 3rd of 11 at Naas in the LR Owenstown Stks on May 21 over 1408m, 1.5 len behind Cosmic Vega with 62kg at $3.50. Fitter but others appeal more.

12. Amenable (4) – Group 2 placegetter. Second run back. First-up after five months tried to lead throughout but was claimed late 2nd in a small field at Flemington in the G3 Shaftesbury Ave on March 9 over 1400m, neck behind Von Hauke carrying 55kg at $1.80. Previously second-up 5th of 14 at Caulfield in the G1 Memsie on September 2 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Mr Brightside with 58.5kg at $26. Among the top chances.

13. Williamsburg (13) – Multiple Group 1 placegetter. Second-up. First-up after three months raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 11 at Newcastle in the G3 Ncle Stakes on March 8 over 1400m, 4 len behind Rustic Steel carrying 54kg at $12. Previously second-up with blinkers first time; 2nd of 11 at this track in the G2 Shannon on September 23 over 1500m, 1.4 len behind Cepheus with 53kg at $9.50. Must improve significantly.

14. Cosmic Vega (18) – Group 3 placegetter. Resuming after a break of six months. Finished off last campaign seventh of 10 at Tipperary in the LR Concorde Stks October 1 over 1508m, on rain affected going; 18 len behind Snapraeterea carrying 61.5kg at $11. When resuming last campaign fifth of 10 at Leopardstown in the G2 Minstrel Stakes July 27 over 1408m, soft track; 3.5 len behind Zarinsk with 61.5kg at $21. Happy to risk.

15. Lady Laguna (12) – Canterbury Stakes winner. Form hard to fault. At the latest run won by 1.3 len at Randwick G1 Cant Stks March 9 over 1300m defeating Think About It carrying 57kg at $11. The run before that rolled along in front then was edged out late 2nd of 10 at this track in the G2 Millie Fox on February 24 over 1300m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Zougotcha carrying 55kg at $2.30. Trip may test.

16. Militarize (7) – Golden Rose Stakes winner. Dual acceptor. Third-up today. Resuming 2nd of 9 at Randwick in the G2 Apollo on February 17 over 1400m, slow going 2.5 len behind Fangirl carrying 55.5kg at $6.50. Second run from a spell made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 11 at Randwick in the G1 Rand Gneas on March 9 over 1600m, nose behind Celestial Legend carrying 56.5kg at $2.10. A repeat latest will see him hard to stop.

17. Veight (8) – Multiple Group 2 winner. Form hard to fault. Last start sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 16 at Flemington in the G1 Aust Gns on March 2 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Southport Tycoon carrying 57kg at $4.50. The start before that 4th of 9 at Caulfield in the G1 C F Orr on February 10 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Mr Brightside carrying 55.5kg at $6. Not beaten far last start and worth including.

18. Encap (2) – Group 1 placegetter. Last start 5th of 11 at Randwick in the G1 Rand Gneas on March 9 over 1600m, 1.1 len behind Celestial Legend carrying 56.5kg at $12. The run before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 12 at this track in the G2 Hobartvlle on February 24 over 1400m, slow going 2 len behind Celestial Legend with 56.5kg at $6.50. Draws well and has the ability to take this out.

19. Tiz Invincible (6) – Multiple Group 2 winner. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up from last on the turn 6th of 11 at Randwick in the G2 Lghtfinger on February 17 over 1200m, slow going 2.75 len behind Kimochi with 56kg at $4.50. Last start 8th of 12 at Randwick in the G1 Surround on March 2 over 1400m, slow going 4 len behind Tropical Squall carrying 56kg at $7. Definite winning chance. Keep safe.

Our Tips

Canterbury Stakes winner LADY LAGUNA (15) was a winner at Randwick last start, and has been in strong form with four wins and two places from six starts this preparation. Rates a leading player again. golden Rose Stakes winner. Last start MILITARIZE (16) was narrowly beaten at Randwick and down in the weights, could threaten. Stradbroke Handicap winner THINK ABOUT IT (1) finished in the money last start running second at Randwick and should strip fitter second up, expected to run well. Group 2 placegetter AMENABLE (12) finished among the placings last time when second at Flemington and should be further improved, each way chance. Group 2 winner NAVAJO PEAK (6) can figure in the finish.

Tips: (15)-(16)-(1)-(12)-(6)