Nine talent-rich races will be contested on 2017 Run To The Rose Day at Rosehill Gardens; the headline race card in Sydney on Saturday.

Pariah will step out in The Run To The Rose. Photo: Steve Hart

Classy fields have been drawn to all nine races on The Run To The Rose Day, particularly the three Group 2 races, but we have analysed every horse in each, in order to help your find a winner.

The Run To The Rose Day action is set to get underway with the running of the Schweppes Handicap at 12:50pm, while the feature race is slated to be run at won at 3:50pm.

Race 1 (12:10pm) Schweppes Handicap (1500m)

Eight runners have been confirmed in the final field for Race 1 at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, including Mariquita (barrier 7). The I Am Invincible mare has steadily built to the task this time and savaged the line to beat a similar field to this in the Pro It BM74 (1500m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago. Heartlings (barrier 6) and Karavali (barrier 3) both returned to the races for smart wins and will only improve into this race, while Lani Girl (barrier 4) also carries winning form into the race and is rock-hard fit. Luvaluva (barrier 2) failed to fire last time out, but she is weighted ideally, drawn well and will be partnered by in-form and claiming apprentice Andrew Adkins.

Tip: No. 5 Mariquita ($3.40)

Race 2 (12:45pm) TAB Highway Handicap (1200m)

Ten horses will step out in Race 2 and there is a case to be made for more than half the field. Suncraze (barrier 1) has returned to racing in outstanding form this time and will charged with overcoming a race-high 59kgs, is arguably the class horse of the field and will be extremely difficult to beat. Northern Knight (barrier 10) is yet to taste anything but success through his short but impressive career so far and while clearly facing a step up in class, has the notable advantage of Hugh Bowman in the saddle. Mossman Gorge (barrier 2) is seeking a third-consecutive race win and will have conditions to suit, while Delivered (barrier 4) resumed for a smart win at Leeton and would not look out of place in the winner’s circle amongst this field.

Tip: No. 3 Northern Knight ($4.50)

Race 3 (1:20pm) Rydges Parramatta Handicap (1800m)

An open field will also step out in Race 3 on Theo Marks Stakes Day and there is winning potential across the board. Vaucluse Bay (barrier 13) has failed to fire at his two most-recent starts, but arguably found career-best form prior and is not without a chance of atoning amongst this field. Egyptian Ruler (barrier 8) savaged the line for second at Taree last time out and while clearly stepping up in class, is rock-hard fit and drawn ideally in in-form and claiming apprentice Rachael King aboard. Nat King Cu (barrier 1) has re-discovered his best form this season and is another each-way chance on Saturday, while topweight Alward (barrier 7) is seeking a third-consecutive race win and has the added advantage of Hugh Bowman aboard.

Tip: No. 6 Nat King Cu – Each Way ($17/$4.40)

Race 4 (2:00pm) Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m)

The first black type race of the day will be contested when eight three-year-olds step out for the Stan Fox Stakes. It is an outstanding field and there is a case to be made for close to every runner, however Addictive Nature (barrier 5) held on to post a smart black type win last time out and is the horse to beat. Trapeze Artist (barrier 1) will appreciate a step up in distance and is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run for sixth in the Up And Coming Stakes, while Group 1 winner The Mission (barrier 3) should have little issue taking up the running from an inside draw, but may need the run to find his best. Gold Standard (barrier 2) and Sanctioned (barrier 7) are both live chances in the Stan Fox Stakes.

Tip: No. 8 Sanctioned – Each Way ($7/$2.10)

Race 5 (2:35pm) Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m)

Only eight horses will contest this year’s Theo Marks Stakes, however the depth of talented confirmed in the small field suggests that it will be one of the races of the day at Rosehill on Saturday. Foxplay (barrier 6) went agonizingly-close to ending Winx’s undefeated streak in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) first-up and while charged with overcoming a race-high 59kgs here, will only improve. Stable mate Egg Tart (barrier 4) posted consecutive wins in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) and Group 2 Queensland Oaks (2200m) in autumn and winter and will resume under ideal conditions in this race. Deploy (barrier 3) flew home to win the Group 3 Show County Quality (1300m) last time out, while Euro Angel (barrier 1) and Cannyescent (barrier 5) also both carry strong form into this race.

Tip: No. 1 Foxplay ($4.60)

Race 6 (3:10pm) Group 3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m)

An outstanding field of mares will step out for the Sheraco Stakes and it is an open affair from a betting perspective. Bonny O’reilly (barrier 12) carried a race-high 59.5kgs to success in a Rosehill 1200m race first-up and will only improve, particularly with the weight relief, while Omei Sword (barrier 11) and Denmagic (barrier 10) should also both improve second-up. Daysee Doom (barrier 8) found career-best form through the recent Autumn Carnival and cannot be counted out of this race on ability alone, while black type performers Danish Twist (barrier 5) and Ravi (barrier 9) are both also capable first-up. Godolphin mare Ghisoni (barrier 6) returns to racing for the first time in more than a year, but was outstanding as a three-year-old and is not without a chance.

Tip: No. 7 Bonny O’Reilly ($5)

Race 7 (3:50pm) Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m)

There is plenty of quality racing set to take place at Rosehill on Saturday, however this year’s Run To The Rose undoubtedly headlines the race. Menari (barrier 11) resumed for a dominant win in the Listed Rosebud (1100m) three weeks ago and will only improve into this race, albeit amongst far stronger company. Pariah (barrier 3) produced a superior turn of foot to beat a talented field in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1200m) first-up and is another horse that will be tough to beat with improvement, while Invader (barrier 9) and Chauffeur (barrier 2) both ran well fresh and are live chances. Siege Of Quebec (barrier 5) ran second behind Menari in The Rosebud and could receive the run of the race on Saturday from barrier 5, at each-way odds.

Tip: No. 4 Pariah ($3.30)

Race 8 (4:30pm) Fugen Handicap (1200m)

Fifteen horses remain in contention for Race 8 on Run To The Rose Day following the scratching of Gibraltar Girl. Sir Plush (barrier 13) has produced a number of smart efforts and results this time and is not out of his depth in this field, while Pumpkin Pie (barrier 15) is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run for fourth in a Rosehill 1100m race and will enjoy a step up in distance. Tango Rain (barrier 2) returned to winning form with a dominant performance at Rosehill a fortnight ago and should prove tough to beat from an inside draw.

Tip: No. 4 Tango Rain ($3.10)

Race 9 (5:10pm) TAB.com.au Handicap (1400m)

The final race on Run To The Rose Day has also drawn a classy field and there is winning potential across the board. Peacock (barrier 6) worked home well to finish third amongst similar company first-up and will take plenty of improvement into this, while the winner of that race, The Pharaoh (barrier 13) has been charged with overcoming a tough draw and will need to use some pace early not to get lost. Ebenos (barrier 9) has been strong and consistent this time and is not without a chance in this field, while Wayanka (barrier 10) has followed a similar path and form line and is drawn well to find a position off the early pace.

Tip: No. 6 Peacock – Each Way ($6.50/$2.55)