The shambles of Sydney Saturdays take an upsurge at Rosehill Gardens with the Queensland influence of favourites Our Boy Malachi and Sir Moments in the two major events.
Hopefully Saturday's surface with the rail six metres out contributes only to a pattern – front runners can be advantaged – rather than a savage bias like the Kensington circuit last Saturday.
Certainly Our Boy Malachi, a real speed ball, should be suited in the Starlight Stakes, a good betting medium.
However, five experts from the Racenet poll of leading betting houses have listed Our Boy Malachi, now under the guidance of the Hawkes team, captained by John, as the "lay" from all the top meetings in Australia.
"Love the horse and he's a winner but he looks a great risk at the current skinny quote," Isaac Ling (Ladbrokes.com.au) said.
"Was beaten three lengths at his try at stakes level and is drawn poorly [12]."
Thus the key lies in the hands of Dwayne Dunn. He might be the leading jockey in Melbourne but his record in Sydney, particularly at Rosehill, isn't flash. His 59 rides over the past 10 seasons have produced just two wins, according to Racing And Sports.
Dunn, though, has been in great touch down south and 12 of his successes this season have been for the Hawkes stable.
Senta De Noche, who is backing up after an all-the-way Kensington triumph last Saturday, is expected to sizzle early and, if so, Dunn could seek a nice trail.
Obviously a speed duel, even with the rail placement, could assist backmarkers, and Dothraki and Lilliburlero appeal in this aspect.
Dothraki only just beat Goldstone, hardly a top liner, at Rosehill last start, albeit under 60 kilograms, while Lilliburlero did well when third in the group 3 G.H. Mumm Stakes down the Flemington straight 1100 metres with Winning Post describing her finish as "a sensational late closing effort".
Glyn Schofield should be able to position Lilliburlero off the leaders and be strong at the finish.
Verdict: Lilliburlero.
Unlike Our Boy Malachi, Sir Moments, with Brisbane ace Tim Bell up, gets back and will launch from the 11 gate in the Festival.
Sir Moments is Randwick-bound for the Villiers' 1600 metres, a course and distance that should suit his big finish.
"He is a very good horse," Bell told AAP. "At his last start win at the Gold Coast he began better than I anticipated, and we were able to find the fence.
"As I said at the time, it was really all over red rover at the top of the straight.
"He still wanted to prick his ears after he hit the lead but he was too strong and it was a handy field."
No doubt Sir Moments is good enough but map makers, those who attempt to plot the course taken by candidates in races, have him in a risky position in a big and competitive field.
Sure pace should come from Strawberry Boy with Aomen an upfront type, but Heart Testa, with Hugh Bowman navigating, promises to get the run of the race.
Heart Testa chased a hot pace to score over the Rosehill 1350 metres last start and while the extra 150 metres on Saturday is a query, he is a very fit horse.
Mouro, runner-up to Heart Testa recently, will be suited by the extra journey.
Verdict: Heart Testa.
Right Of Way in the TAB.com.au should continue the winning streak of part-owner Julia Ritchie.
"You had to be impressed with the way Right of Way picked up and sprinted last start behind Paceman," Michael Wood (www.theraceguide.com.au) said. "The gap back to third is a positive sign. Ready to win."
Ritchie topped the poll for the Australian Turf Club board election on Thursday by 110 votes with 947 and triumphed on the same day with Kaepernick at Hawkesbury.
Right Of Way has the benefit of racing experience on the talented youngsters Let's Make It Rain and Sampeah, prepared by John O'Shea.
Verdict: Right Of Way.
The Hugh Bowman factor comes into play with Mamwaazel in the Trophies Handicap.
With a 20 per cent winning strike rate, Bowman at his three previous rides on Mamwaazel has notched two wins and a close second.
Mamwaazel began slowly last start and did well to finish fifth, beaten only by 1.5 lengths by Mesmereyeser, over the Rosehill 1200 metres on November 15.
Mesmereyeser is opposed to her again and is worthy of consideration, as is Dublin Lass.
Verdict: Mamwaazel.
Play The Rosehill Exotics
Parlay: Race 2 – (8) Queen Of Kariba, Race 3 – (2) Mamwaazel, Race 6 – (6) Heart Testa, Race 7 -(3) Lilliburlero.
Quadrella: Race 5 – (2) Midsummer Sun, (4) Malice, Race 6 – (6) Heart Testa, (7) Scream Machine, (8) Sir Moments, Race 7 – (3) Lilliburlero, (6) Our Boy Malachi, Race 8 – (6) The Alfonso, (11) Commanding Wit.
Best Box Trifecta: Race 7 – (3) Lilliburlero, (6) Our Boy Malachi, (7) Cradle Me.
Best Quinella: Race 4 – (5) Terra Amata, (7) Shiraz.
