Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Rosehill meeting on August 16 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

ROSEHILL August 16

Best Bets

RACE 4 – (9) AMREEKIYAH: Last week's Randwick washout delayed the chance to see this rising star put her unbeaten record on the line. It means she meets a stronger field but there has been plenty of depth in her winning form and she couldn't have been more impressive rounding up her rivals with a big finish to win first up under 61kg over 1250m at Canterbury on a Soft 7. That was her first try on affected ground and gives you confidence she can continue her rise with 5kg less.

RACE 7 – (7) WAR ETERNAL: With so many rivals resuming and better suited to longer distances he appeals as the right horse in the right race, striking this field third up and stepping up to his pet distance of 1400m (four wins) after closing strongly when second over 1300m in the heavy at this course two weeks ago. Jason Collet gets the best out of him (two wins from three rides), he's won twice when third up and is well placed dropping 4kg off his last start when you go through his Group form since he was a 3YO.

RACE 9 – (7) POLYGLOT: Godolphin runner resumes here for his new trainer Michael Freedman, having spelled after a luckless fourth in the G3 Zeditave Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in February. Prior to that he raced twice at Rosehill in BM72 class for a first-up win on a Soft 7 over this trip and a close third over 1200m with James McDonald his rider in both races. It's significant that McDonald takes the mount after reuniting with the gelding in his recent trial win at Rosehill, enough to tell you that the 4YO is ready to post another first-up win.

Selections

RACE 1: (10) MONKHANA; (8) Convergent; (4) Kingston Charm; (9) Audrey's Lane

RACE 2: (10) CHRISTA; (6) Adolphus; (3) Kranich; (12) Spirits Burn Deep

RACE 3: (10) REFLECT; (6) Fermoy; (4) Ninja; (7) Wisnierska

RACE 4: (9) AMREEKIYAH; (8) Tuileries; (11) Sister Daae; (2) Sacred Rocks

RACE 5: (5) PALLATON; (4) Nashville Jack; (1) Skyhook; (7) Grand Prairie

RACE 6: (14) AMUSING; (16) Captain Maverick; (2) Travolta; (11) Pure Alpha

RACE 7: (7) WAR ETERNAL; (5) Highlights; (4) Birdman; (11) Ang Pow

RACE 8: (10) CAPTAIN FURAI; (12) Denman Star; (16) Starman; (5) Puntin

RACE 9: (7) POLYGLOT; (4) Roselyn's Star; (3) Ravenclaw; (8) Regimental Colours

RACE 10: (15) GATSBY'S; (10) Bunker Hut; (12) Perfumist; (6) Cloudland

Why They Can Win….

RACE 1 – (10) MONKHANA: Strong placing when resuming this course and class. Rates well with expected improvement.

RACE 2 – (10) CHRISTA: Impressive first-up win off a long break. Set to go on with it. 

RACE 3 – (10) REFLECT: Easy trial followed eye catching placing when resuming. Big improver in an open race.

RACE 5 – (5) PALLATON: Rating him on his impressive debut. Showing real class in his trials. 

RACE 6 – (14) AMUSING: Plenty of depth in her winning form. Ready for the step up in distance.

RACE 8 – (10) CAPTAIN FURAI: Positive return in tough conditions. Fitter and J Mac sticks.

RACE 10: (15) GATSBY'S: Has produced his best when fresh. Expecting more of the same under light weight.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – August 16-18

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Fermoy (R3); Portofino (R3); Reflect (R3); Skyhook (R5); Pallaton (R5); Peleus (R5); Birdman (R7); Adelaide River (R7); Our Gold Hope (R7); Polyglot (R9); Bonita Queen (R9); Mogul Monarch (R9); Debello (R9); Roselyn's Star (R9); Gatsby's (R10); Lord Penman (R10); Perfumist (R10); Bauhinia (R10)

CAULFIELD SATURDAY: The Playwright (R6); Brudenell (R7); Private Eye (R8); Moira (R8)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Overriding (R4); Theblade (R6)

WYONG SUNDAY: As You Like It (R2); Artistic Venture (R3); Bauhinia (R4); Hydrometer (R6); Still Alice (R6); King's Duty (R6) 

BATHURST MONDAY: Zoufame (R1)

SCONE TUESDAY: Tapagal (R5)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Savvy Hallie; Cantiamo; Ohope; Cuban Cigar; Balmain Darling; Barbarossa; Slinky; Ravenclaw, The Novelist; Johnny; Nashville Jack; Kerber; Skyglider; Amreekiyah; King Of Roseau; Valilee; Custom; Grand Prairie; Southern Heiress; Straand Beauty; Nazwah; Caesar; Infusion; Bev's Nine; Romeo's Choice; Rockbarton Max; Efharisto

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM August 8: More black type heats on the course proper in heavy conditions. In the 1000m heat PRIVATE EYE was given a solid workout, leading out with strong work and holding his ground under no pressure (59.97; 35.64). OUR GOLD HOPE was the one taking the eye with her late work through the line. In the 900m heat (55.05; 35.71) I liked the work of GATSBY'S to close off nicely for second, suggesting again that he may be at his best when fresh. Confident imposing Zoustar colt FERMOY will improve on what he showed in three starts last season. Having his third trial in five weeks in a 779m maiden heat on the inside grass, it was hard to miss his impressive late work to finish third, going through the line hard held. Other looking primed for good campaigns with eye catching efforts included LORD PENMAN, an ex-Kiwi with a strong record now with Chris Waller, and the maiden 3YO REFLECT. 

RANDWICK August 7: The trials on the A grass produced some notable performances. High class stayer BIRDMAN is set for a good spring judging by the way he worked to the line to win his 1200m heat (77.90; 37.25). I rarely get enthused about 1200m trials but he was a class above his rivals pulling his way through a split between runners at the 250m and going through the line under a big hold from Tommy Berry. Another impressive trial win by talented 3YO PALLATON. He covered ground but never came off the bit to easily win a strong open trial over 1044m, posting the fastest time for the distance with plenty in reserve (64.86; 35.93).

GOSFORD August 7: A strong 800m heat win by KING'S DUTY (49.69; 36.18) while AS YOU LIKE IT was a newcomer to impress winning his 1000m trial in good time (61.60; 37.01)

ROSEHILL July 29: THEBLADE, a lightly raced rising 4YO, made a strong start to his prep in his first trial since February, working keenly from start to finish for a soft win by 3.5 lengths in his 900m heat (54.39; 33.96) with the feature being his quick closing sectionals. Sure to be well placed by his astute stable. Classy El Roca filly PERFUMIST was a big winner of the 1000m trial for Group horses (61.17; 34.01), clearing out to score by more than nine lengths in her second trial after an earlier win at Rosehill on July 15. Looks set to build on an already impressive record. POLYGLOT (62.79; 35.56), a Godolphin runner now with Michael Freedman, did all that was required to win his 1030m heats on the inside grass in good style. In the quickest 900m heat (53.68; 34.25) STILL ALICE took the eye with her closing work. In the fastest of the six 2YO heats over 900m (54.60; 34.30) the trial that made the best impression was the closing second by the talented SKYHOOK. Other rising 3YOs worthy of attention after good trials that featured strong closing work included PELEUS and PORTOFINO.

WARWICK FARM July 25: In the 900m heat for the Group horses fast mare BONITA QUEEN ran away with the trial, leading by a big space on the turn and doing it easily to the line to beat PRIVATE EYE. In the open trials an impressive win by DEBELLO in his 824m heat (47.86; 33.31), doing it with style to score by almost five lengths, augers well for his prospects to progress through his next campaign..

GOSFORD July 23: It was a good session for the Lees stable with the import ADELAIDE RIVER and smart sprinter BRUDENELL showing their class with easy wins in their heats. With James McDonald on board (a rare appearance at provincial trials) ADELAIDE RIVER tracked up behind the leaders and went home nicely in his 1200m heat 72.58; 35.96) while BRUDENELL rounded up the leaders on the turn in his 1000m heat (59.58; 35.00) and cruised away for a soft win by almost three lengths.

RANDWICK July 22: Another super trial from 3YO gelding ROSELYN'S STAR, giving him three trial wins since May. Once again he was a class above his rivals in his open heat over 1045m, dominating from the front and posting good time with plenty in reserve (62.80; 33.79). Unraced since a win and two placings from his first three starts in early 2024, he sure is ready to make up for lost time. The talented PALLATON looks set to make his mark as a 3YO after a strong heat win over 740m (44.33; 33.91). The well regarded imported stayer BIRDMAN took the eye with his closing third in his 1045m heat (62.70; 34.51). Other previously noted trial stars to post strong performances in the 2YO heats included ARTISTIC VENTURE and ZOUFAME

ROSEHILL July 15: High class imported mare MOIRA - with seven wins from 1400m to 2200m including a G1 Breeders Cup to her credit - is ready to improve on her only local start when she took on the G1 Doncaster Mile first-up in April. A lovely fresh trial saw her finish second in her 900m heat, finishing off under her own steam that is sure to bring her on nicely as she prepares for the spring.

RANDWICK July 11: ROSELYN'S STAR hasn't been seen at the races for 15 months but there is no doubt this 3YO gelding by Shalaa has plenty of ability. Showed potential in his early starts and has now won his two well-spaced trials since May. In this 742m heat he had plenty to offer never coming off the bit to win under a hold in the fastest time of the session (42.69; 32.57).

WYONG June 16: ADELAIDE RIVER, an imported stayer in the Lees stable, trialled with purpose and looks set to improve on what he has displayed to date in a limited Australian career

RANDWICK May 30: Keen to see ROSELYN'STAR, a 3YO by Shalaa, return to racing after 14 months off the scene. He recorded a win and two placings from his first three starts as a 2YO and his effort to win his return trial in the open heat over 740m (44.18; 33.72) was indicative of his potential. Worked well within himself to run past the leader and win unextended.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – August 15-16

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Be Real (R1); King Ratel (R1); Kingston Charm (R1); Convergent (R1); Monkhana (R1); Wisnierska (R3); Reflect (R3); Sister Daae (R4); Lincoln Rocks (R6); Adelaide River (R7); Kinesiology (R7); Captain Furai (R8); Bunker Hut (R10)

CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Federer (R2); Gala Queen (R3); Riverina Power (R3); Desert Lightning (R8)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Tryanza (R6); Termagant (R8)

BLACKBOOKERS (Selected August 9 - Follow Next 3 Starts)

BULLION BOY; LARRIKIN ROUGE; PARETO; STOLI BOLLI; THINKING OF GERTY; ZELGARIA

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Point Barrow; Saltcoats; Monte Supreme; Relentless Voyager; Crossbow; Useapin; Amusing; Robusto; Lead Me On; Mormona; Duchess Zou; Don Diego De Vega; Epic Proportions; Stay Silent; Fortunate Kiss; Sound It Out; Getafix; She's Unusual; Stylish; Terilee; Zaszou; Adiella; Shockletz; Oh Too Good