April 22, 2016
MEDIA RELEASE: Friday, 22 April 2016
RACING INTO THE LONG WEEKEND AT ROSEHILL GARDENS & ROYAL RANDWICK
The Australian Turf Club will host two race meetings over the ANZAC Day long weekend; Saturday Racing at Rosehill Gardens on 23 April and ANZAC Day Race Day at Royal Randwick on 25 April.
On Monday, patrons will be granted free entry on Australia and New Zealand’s national day of recognition, and will be able to enjoy the great tradition of two-up on the Octagonal Lawn from 12pm to 3pm.
Also trackside on Monday, Royal Randwick will host an ANZAC Day Commemoration Service which will include the recital of the Remembrance Prayer by Reverend Colin Watts from the Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy, followed by The Ode which will be led by Brother Dan Stafford.
The racing bugle will be replaced by The Last Post and Rouse, and a minute’s silence will conclude the tribute.
At Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, nine races will feature on the program, with His Majesty for Kim Waugh listed as the $3.20 TAB Fixed Odds favourite in the Bowermans Office Furniture Handicap.
The six-year-old finished a close and luckless third at his last start in the Provincial Championships Final on 9 April.
The James Cummings-trained High Midnight ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds) will also face the starter over the 1500m journey after his last start victory at Rosehill Gardens on 12 March, and a solid barrier trial on 8 April.
A field of 15 lines up in the McGrath Estate Agents Handicap over 1350m.
Last start winner Well Hardly Ever for trainer Clarry Conners is the $4.00 TAB Fixed Odds favourite, closely followed by Hetty Heights ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds) for Kim Waugh. Both are proven over the distance and will be hard to beat.
Interest has been shown for the Warwick Farm-based Painte ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds) and Zedfast ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds). The four-year-old geldings are three starts into their campaigns with both tasting success on one occasion this preparation.
Lonhro colt Mogador will return to the track in the TAB.com.au Handicap for the first time since his disappointing seventh on 27 February at Caulfield.
Despite this, punters have supported him into $3.50 TAB Fixed Odds favouritism having been successful over the distance at Rosehill Gardens.
Alart and Freeze The Charges cannot be separated on the second line of betting at $8.00 TAB Fixed Odds. Both fell just short in second place in their last starts, however Alart is three races into his campaign while this will be the first run for Freeze The Charges following a four month spell.
At Royal Randwick on Monday, seven races are named in acknowledgement of ANZAC traditions including The Last Post Handicap which has a full field of 12.
Second Emergency Torpenhow is on the first line of betting at $2.90 TAB Fixed Odds after impressing in his maiden start, a six-length win on 9 April at Beaumont.
Punters have dismissed Liberty Island’s seventh place run and have reflected on the four-year-old’s stout start prior, supporting the gelding into $4.60 TAB Fixed Odds.
The Tommy Hill Memorial Handicap in memory of the late trainer and jockey has all four Chris Waller runners featuring prominently in the betting market.
Lady Le Fay ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds) Hawkspur ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds), Weary ($9.50 TAB Fixed Odds) and Moriarty ($15.00 TAB Fixed Odds) all hold a home track advantage over the other eight challengers.
The Australian Turf Club has free high-capacity WiFi and free parking across the Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick racecourse precincts.
CONTACT: Brett de Vine 0419 613 455 bdevine@australianturfclub.com.au #TheRaces