After a week off, the Highway Handicap returns at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, and it’s set to be a cracking race, with 24 acceptors, including four emergencies, taking on the 1500m Class Three Handicap.
It’s the strongest Highway we have seen in a long time, and Thunderbet‘s Johnny ‘Highway’ Patton has run his eye over the big field.
The track is a soft six, but I think it will be a good four by the time the race jumps.
The rail is in the true position, there looks to be okay speed in the race, and although it is a tough race to pick, I think we can find some value.
This week, my on-top selection is The Coat Hanger ($14). Its last start was in the 1500m Class Two Highway two weeks ago at Rosehill Gardens, and it was very effort.
It raced up on the speed and battled on very well. He has the same weight (54kg), and Rachel King stays on board.
We have this horse leading in our speed map, but it doesn’t have to and may take a sit just in behind them. Drawn well, the Tas Morton-trained Port Macquarie galloper will be very hard to beat.
My second pick is Chase My Crown ($5.50). The six-year-old mare’s run last start was in much better company when contesting a 1600m Benchmark 78 Handicap at Warwick Farm.
I do like horses stepping back from Metropolitan grade to these country-only Highway races.
It didn’t have much luck last time but is drawn very well, and Jett Stanley claims three kilograms.
It does go up two kilos on that run, which shouldn’t worry it, and she loves a good track.
The Wayne Wilkes-trained Taree galloper should be right in the finish.
My third pick is Master of Rewards ($26), trained by Jeremy Sylvester at Cessnock.
His start run was in the above-mentioned Class Two Highway Handicap at Rosehill Gardens.
He loomed up to win but peaked on its run. I think with that experience, being drawn well again, and with Alysha Collett on board, it will be fitter and won’t be far away again.
The ‘Each Way Play’ this week is Lord Desanimaux ($51).
This horse is over the odds. It has very good second-up form, and its last run at Hawkesbury in a 1300m Open Handicap was a very good first-up run in harder company.
The 1500m is no problem as this horse has won at 2400m, and Blake Ryan has been riding other horses that are in this race but has elected to take the ride.
Trained by Terry Robinson, who knows how to win a Highway, the Nowra galloper will get back but will be flashing home at the end.
Thunderbet Selections
1. The Coat Hanger ($14)
2. Chase My Crown ($5.50)
3. Master of Rewards ($26)
