January 28, 2016
Rosehill Gardens will host the Expressway Stakes Race Day this Saturday, 30 January which will feature three Group races on the nine race card.
Racegoers will be able to see Black Type racing for as little as $20 when purchasing the Summer Super Saver. The Summer Super Saver offers $45 worth of value including entry to the racecourse, one standard drink, one Vili’s pie, a $5 TAB voucher and free entry to any other summer race day on the calendar.
Punters will also be able to utilise the upgraded Rosehill Gardens facilities, including the new betting ring, which will be open for the first time since closing for redevelopment in December 2015.
Australian Turf Club Chief Operating Officer Tony Partridge said that Rosehill Gardens presents racing enthusiasts with a snapshot of what the Club has to offer race day attendees this autumn.
“In recent months Rosehill Gardens has undergone significant changes to continue to improve the overall customer experience for our guests,” said Mr Partridge.
“TJ’s Champagne Bar in the Members’ Reserve will be reopened and accepting bookings for Saturday, and with the return of Group racing to Rosehill Gardens, the relocation of the betting ring will ensure that the needs of racegoers are met.”
On the track, an exhibition gallop by Gai Waterhouse-trained Zoutenant (Brenton Avdulla) and Sports Edition (Tommy Berry) over 1200m will follow the first race.
The day’s racing highlights include the running of the Group 2 $200,000 Expressway Stakes over 1200m where multiple Group 1 winners Appearance, Lonhro and Tie The Knot grace the honour roll.
Our Boy Malachi for Team Hawkes, who boasts an impressive career record of 17 wins from 21 starts, has opened as the short priced $2.50 TAB Fixed Odds favourite. The seven-year-old has completed two barrier trials in preparation for his return to racing since spelling in November.
John O’Shea’s Generalife ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds) closely follows on the second line of betting. The well-bred Lonhro progeny has been successful over the distance on two occasions and will partner with in form jockey James McDonald.
All eyes will be on the Group 3 $150,000 Canonbury Stakes and Group 3 $150,000 Widden Stakes where six runners are amongst the second acceptors into the world’s richest two-year-old race, the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper.
In recent years, the two races have produced the last three Longines Golden Slipper winners in Vancouver (2015), Mossfun (2014) and Overreach (2013).
In the Canonbury Stakes, Defcon for Peter and Paul Snowden heads the colts and geldings race at $2.00 TAB Fixed Odds. The chestnut has displayed solid form in his three barrier trials leading into his maiden start.
Punters cannot split Tessera ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds) for John O’Shea and Gerald Ryan-trained Star of Monsoon ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Top weight Tessera had a gallant win in his only start on 16 January while Star of Monsoon also ran home strongly in a recent Rosehill Gardens barrier trial on 19 January.
The Widden Stakes sees So Serene from the Gai Waterhouse stable open at $4.60 TAB Fixed Odds ahead of Aghna for Gabrielle Englebrecht at $5.00. Both fillies have had one career start with each finishing in the minor placings.
Kentucky Lass ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds) is also expected to be competitive following her 3.5Length win at Warwick Farm on 7 January.
Public gates will open at 11.30am with the first race at 12.40pm.
Rosehill Gardens has free high-capacity WiFi across the racecourse precinct.
There is free public parking off James Ruse Drive as well as free parking in the infield from the Unwin Road entrance.