Rosehill Gardens has been rated a Soft 5 for today’s Golden Pendant Race Day after receiving a further 4mm of rain in the last twenty-four hours.
Golden Pendant favourite Catkins will relish the soft track conditions at Rosehill Gardens. Photo by Steve Hart.
A total of 20.5mm has fallen on the course in the past seven days with a possible shower on the Sydney forecast for today.
The rail for the eight race card is out 4m for the entire course and there are only two scratchings for the day.
The Patrick Payne trained Turner Bayou was withdrawn from the Group 3 $125,000 Dilmah Tea Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) on Thursday and will run in the Listed $120,000 italktravel Harry White Classic (2400m) at Caulfield today.
Slate On Edge was also an early scratching and was taken out on Friday after drawing the outside barrier in the fifteen horse $85,000 TAB More Than Just Winning Handicap (1400m).
The Soft 5 track won’t worry Chris Waller’s two short priced favourites Press Statement and Catkins.
Press Statement continues to firm and is now the $1.35 favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Group 2 $200,000 Dyldam Stan Fox Stakes (1500m.
The Group 1 J.J. Atkins winner has raced three times on a soft track for two wins and a second so today’s Soft 5 rating will suit him perfectly.
Premiership winning jockey Hugh Bowman takes over from Tye Angland who ran into a traffic jam on Press Statement when an unlucky fifth to Exosphere in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 12.
Catkins excels on any rain affected track and is a solid $1.60 favourite for the Group 2 $400,000 Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant (1400m).
The popular grey mare has raced twice on the heavy for two wins and from eight starts on a soft track has recorded four wins and a second.
Bowman also takes over the reins on Catkins, replacing James McDonald who rode her to victory last start in the Group 3 $125,000 Irresistible Pools Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on September 12.
McDonald has six rides at Caulfield in Melbourne today and is aboard Contributer, one of the top fancies in the Group 1 $400,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m).
