2017 The Rosebud Day has drawn nine talent-rich fields to Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, highlighted by the first race on the traditional path towards the Group 1 Golden Rose.

All nine races boast strong fields, rich with Spring Carnival potential and we have analysed every horse in each, in order to help you find a winner on The Rosebud Day.

The action on The Rosebud Day will get underway with the running of the TAB Highway Handicap (1100m) at 11:55am, while the feature race will be run and won at 2:55pm.

Race 1 (11:55am) TAB Highway Handicap (1100m)

A classy field of country sprinters will step out in Saturday’s Highway Handicap. Lifesaver (barrier 3) has not been seen at the races since January, but showed good ability in his maiden campaign and has trialled well in the lead-up to this race. Stable mate Never So Sirius (barrier 9) steps up in grade, but has posted two strong wins from as many starts this time and is a live chance at healthy odds. Cartel (barrier 11) stormed home to win on debut at Goulburn and while charged with overcoming the outside gate, is probably the class horse of this race and will be extremely difficult to beat. Coffs Harbour runner Super Tonic (barrier 5) faces a big step up in class, but has posted two wins from as many career starts and is a live chance from a good draw.

Tip: No.9 Cartel ($4.60)

 Race 2 (12:35pm) Fairfield RSL Club Handicap (2000m)

Only eight horses remain in contention for Race 2 on The Rosebud Day, following the scratching of outside chance The Thug. Chris Waller will launch a smart three-pronged attack in the race after confirmed Vaucluse Bay (barrier 5), Zourkhan (barrier 4) and Multifacets (barrier 3) in the field. Vaucluse Bay is seeking a third-consecutive win in and will be ridden by in-form hoop Corey Brown, Zourkhan can probably be forgiven for his last-start flop and is drawn ideally, while Multifacets has been consistent this time and probably faces his most ideal conditions to date in this race. King Viv (barrier 6) ran second in a Doomben race over 2000m a fortnight ago and should be rock-hard fit ahead of this race.

Tip: No. 1 Vaucluse Bay ($2.25)

Race 3 (1:10pm) Merrylands RSL Club Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m)

A talented field of horses will step out in Race 3, including Centre Pivot (barrier 8). The veteran is clearly past his best, but he will step back in class into this race and will relish the 1800m. Jason Coyle’s stables are absolutely flying and he is well represented in this race by Berry Delicious (barrier 9), who will also relish a step back in class and step up in distance. Arbeitsam (barrier 3) has been strong and consistent this time in and is drawn ideally with only 53kgs in tow. Liapari (barrier 6) failed to fire in the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) a fortnight ago, but he has been racing well amongst similar company to this and is over the odds at his current quote.

Tip: No. 4 Liapari – Each Way ($8/$2.30)

Race 4 (1:45pm) Dooleys Handicap (1100m)

Nine sprinters have been confirmed for Race 4 on The Rosebud Day, including the consistent Sir Plush (barrier 6). Sir Plush has finished a close second at each of his two most-recent starts and has conditions to suit this weekend. Mount Nebo (barrier 7) has been inconsistent at best this time, but is more than capable on his day and should find a good position in transit from a wide draw, while Godolphin runner Badajoz (barrier 4) steps back in class, could receive the run of the race from his draw and will be ridden by Tye Angland. Petrossian (barrier 5) has finished outside the first three only once through four starts this time and should find a position close to the pace from a central draw.

Tip: No. 7 Sir Plush ($2.60)

Race 5 (2:20pm) St Johns Park Bowling Club Handicap (1350m)

Nine horses will take to the barriers for Race 5 on Saturday and there is a case to be made for nearly every runner. Roaring To Win (barrier 11) has not been seen at the races since May, but has trialled well and is undoubtedly one of the class horses of this field. Peacock (barrier 2) will have his first start for James Cummings in this race, is a proven fresh performer and is drawn ideally with Blake Shinn in the saddle. Argent D’Or (barrier 5) should be rock-hard fit leading into this race and is drawn and weighted to win, while No Interest (barrier 7) faces a step up in class, but carries winning form into the race and is a live chance for Jason Coyle.

Tip: No. 4 Peacock ($4.60)

Race 6 (2:55pm) Listed The Rosebud (1100m)

Eight three-year-olds will step out in the feature race and there is plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective. Menari (barrier 5) stamped himself as a colt to follow through a smart autumn campaign and is primed for a big first-up run in The Rosebud, while Trekking (barrier 2) has trialled well in the lead-up to this race, is a proven black type performer and has the notable advantage of Brenton Avdulla in the saddle. Diamond Tathagata (barrier 6) is a Group 2 winner amongst similar company and won a talent-rich barrier trial at Randwick last month, which included Winx. Siege Of Quebec (barrier 1) is yet to contest a race at black type level, but has been outstanding through two career starts and should be right in the finish of this.

Tip: No. 1 Diamond Tathagata – Each Way ($10/$2.70)

Race 7 (3:35pm) Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club Spring Preview (1400m)

A talented field will step out for the Spring Preview and there is winning potential across the board. Oxford Poet (barrier 4) has been charged with carrying 60kgs, but it well suited to the conditions of this race and has a fitness edge on many of his rivals. That’s A Good Idea (barrier 6) is primed for a big run second-up and will appreciate a track rated in the ‘Good’ range resuming stayers Tom Melbourne (barrier 2) and Etymology (barrier 3) are all capable first-up performers and their class is sure to count for plenty in this race. Washington Heights (barrier 8) flew home to beat a classy field first-up and should be extremely tough to beat in the late stages of this race.

Tip: No. 7 Washington Heights ($2.50)

Race 8 (4:15pm) ClubsNSW Handicap (1400m)

It is an open field of eleven confirmed for Race 8 and there is plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective. Gretna (barrier 2) failed to fire last time out, but had been racing well prior and should receive a good run in transit from an inside draw. Suspenders (barrier 9) faces a step up in class, but carries winning form into the race and should settle off the pace from a wide draw, while consistent performer Prada Miss (barrier 10) has conditions to suit and will be ridden by Tommy Berry, with a light weight. She Brings Hope (barrier 6) is another horse that faces a notable step up in class, but she has been racing well and is over the odds at her current quote.

Tip: No. 10 She Brings Hope – Each Way ($26/$6.90)

Race 9 (4:55pm) Campbelltown Catholic Club Handicap (1500m)

Twelve horses remain in contention for the final race on The Rosebud Day, following scratchings. Nat King Ku (barrier 3) has been racing in mid-week events, but has returned to excellent form and is primed for a big run on Saturday. Special Missile (barrier 4) is seeking a fourth-consecutive win and could receive the run of the race from an ideal barrier, while Imanui (barrier 2) will be rock-hard fit and is primed for a big run third-up. Gold Horizon (barrier 1) and Tahsin (barrier 11) are both live chances in current form.

Tip: No. 6 Nat King Cu – Each Way ($9.50/$3.10)