ROSEHILL GARDENS RISES TO CHALLENGE AS RACING SEASON ENTERS HOME STRAIGHT
Listed Winter Challenge and July Sprint the features
July 19, 2023
The Listed $160,000 Toyota Forklifts Winter Challenge and $150,000 Schweppes July Sprint headline Saturday’s Rosehill Gardens meeting as jockeys and trainers continue premiership battles on the third last metropolitan meeting of the season.
Saturday’s 10-race card has attracted 143 acceptances including a full field of 14 and five emergencies in the Toyota Forklifts Winter Challenge, Sydney’s final blacktype race of the 2022/23 racing season.
The champion Sydney apprentice race continues to go down to the wire with Dylan Gibbons on 72 wins and Zac Lloyd 70 wins.
Whilst Rosehill Gardens’ Chris Waller heads for a 13th consecutive Sydney trainers premiership, the battle for second remains tight with James Cummings and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott team on 68 wins apiece.
James McDonald is a clear leader for the Sydney jockeys title – set to be his fifth in succession and seventh overall.
Dylan Gibbons has been booked by trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for the well backed early TAB Fixed Odds fav (Semana $6-$3.80) in the Toyota Forklifts Winter Challenge, just ahead of the Waterhouse/Bott-trained Resonator $4-$4.60 TAB.
Zac Lloyd – for trainers Ben and JD Hayes – rides third favourite Barbies Fox ($6-$5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
WINTER CHALLENGE – FAST FACTS
- Chris Waller has dominated the Winter Challenge with seven wins since 2011 and has five horses entered this year
- Jason Collett has captured the Winter Challenge three times in 10 years (Coup Ay Tee 2013, Shiraz 2017, Mister Sea Wolf 2018) and this year rides Hosier which has been specked from $51-$16.
Saturday’s other feature is the $150,000 Schweppes July Sprint.
Omni Man ($2.70 TAB) for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and jockey Rachel King is shooting for four wins in five starts and consecutive Saturday successes following his impressive win at Royal Randwick last weekend.
Dragonstone, last year’s Bob Charley Stakes winner and narrow runner-up in that same race two starts ago, for Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride is $12.
Tickets for this Saturday and all Winter Season racedays are available for as low as $17 for Groups of 10 or more, with the Punters Pack available at $39.
Punters Packs are loaded with value and include one General Admission entry ticket, two Furphy vouchers, a $10 food voucher, and a racebook.
Punters Packs can be purchased online at theraces.com.au up until 4.30pm on the Friday prior and collected on raceday at the Wagering Concierge in the Betting Ring.
UPCOMING ROSEHILL GARDENS FEATURES
*5 August – Group 2 – $300,000 Missile Stakes
*12 August – Listed – $200,000 The Rosebud
Saturday’s Rosehill Gardens program commences with the first race at 11:15am and final event due at 4:40pm. Full TAB Fixed markets are available here while you can find the entire program located here.
AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MEDIA CONTACT:
Brett de Vine
0419 613 455