Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Rosehill meeting on August 2 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.

ROSEHILL August 2

Best Bets

RACE 2 (7) CONVERGENT: Doubt any rival in this field has more scope for improvement than this 5YO gelding. Lines up for just his third career start but the Lees brothers rarely make a mistake and have been rewarded with their patience as his two starts on soft tracks at Randwick for a win and a second have stamped him as a horse with above average ability. They have bided their time waiting for the right target, giving him two eye catching trials since he last raced over 1500m in this class 56 days ago.

RACE 8 (12) JUST IN TIME: A change of stable from Ciaron Maher to Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer has worked wonders for this Justify mare with two strong provincial wins over 1300m at Hawkesbury and Newcastle since resuming. She's unbeaten on soft tracks and with a handy 5kg drop in weight from her latest win she is well placed to keep the roll going.

RACE 9: (12) YOSHINOBU: Delivered on his early promise when he resumed as a gelding to win with authority in a BM78 over 1200m at this course on July 19 under 58.5kg. Steps up in grade with 5kg less and with added fitness is well placed to go on with it after he handled the soft ground confidently first-up.

Selections

RACE 1: (3) HOPPER; (5) Amusing; (7) Spaceballs; (4) Narbold

RACE 2: (7) CONVERGENT; (1) Denman Star; (5) Cold Brew; (2) Forecaster

RACE 3: (5) WITHOUT PARALLEL; (3) Martini Mumma; (17) Winning Emotions; (15) So You Suggest

RACE 4: (7) TUILERIES; (11) Sister Daae; (9) Super Norwest; (2) Pippie Beach

RACE 5: (4) ART'S ALIVE; (2) Useapin; (1) Metaphorically; (5) Stardeel

RACE 6: (1) WELWAL; (4) Highlights; (3) Headley Grange; (5) Phearon 

RACE 7: (9) JUJA KIBO; (7) Piggyback; (10) Captain Maverick; (4) Cormac T

RACE 8: (12) JUST IN TIME; (9) Liberty State; (8) Gently Rolled; (1) Fully Lit

RACE 9: (12) YOSHINOBU; (9) Bunker Hut; (3) War Eternal; (11) Overriding

RACE 10: (5) HANAU; (7) Roselyn's Star; (3) Spywire; (10) Herbert Park

Why They Can Win….

RACE 1 – (3) HOPPER: No disgrace last time when track pattern played against him. Rates well in an even field.

RACE 3 – (5) WITHOUT PARALLEL: Tactical speed has been the key to her unbeaten record. They will have to run her down again.

RACE 4 – (7) TUILERIES: Costly first-up but closing sectional was best of the day. Notable riding switch to J Mac.

RACE 5 – (4) ART'S ALIVE: Tough on pace placings in deeper class since resuming. Conditions suit dropping back a grade.

RACE 6 – (1) WELWAL: Favourable track conditions. Small field and 2kg claim for leading apprentice enhance his chances.  

RACE 7 – (9) JUJA KIBO: Impressive Melbourne win. Promising import with a lot more to offer.

RACE 10 - (5) HANAU: Ex-Godolphin has the right credentials for the conditions. Ready to perform for new stable.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – July 30-August 2

KEMBLA GRANGE FRIDAY: Ridgeback (R4); Johnny (R6)

COFFS HARBOUR FRIDAY: The Three Hundred (R7)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Convergent (R2); The Novelist (R9); Overriding (R9); Roselyn's Star (R10); Magnatear (R10); Ravenclaw (R10)

NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: I Am A Winner (R1); Dalmanndi (R5)

WYONG SUNDAY: Iniesta (R3); Banknote Hustler (R4); Balmain Darling (R4); Guardsman (R4); Cuban Cigar (R4); Frostfire (R5); Glenbower (R5); Detendu (R6)

CANTERBURY WEDNESDAY: Burma Star; Portofino; Zoufame; Barbarossa; Rajwa; Ravenclaw; Stormland; Cantiamo; Glenbower; Dalmanndi; Artistic Venture; Cobra Club; Iniesta   

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Nashville Jack; Kerber; Skyglider; Amreekiyah; King Of Roseau; Valilee; Custom; Grand Prairie; Southern Heiress; Straand Beauty; Nazwah; Caesar; Infusion; Bev's Nine; Romeo's Choice; Rockbarton Max; Efharisto; Getafix; Axius; Raging Force; Mirai San; Dunleary; Herman Said; Sunday Tycoo; Big Papa; Just Awesome; Glorious Moments

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL July 29: Ex James Cummings-trained colt BURMA STAR made a big impression in his first trial for his new trainer Chris Waller, working home under a big hold after a wide run for a close third in his 900m heat (55./98; 35.58). He showed good talent in his three 2YO starts and with three trials behind him since April expect Waller will get the best out of him. Other rising 3YOs worthy of attention after good trials included strong closing work by PORTOFINO in his heat.

WARWICK FARM July 25: 2YOs to impress included BANKNOTE HUSTLER working strongly for a comfortable win in his 819m heat (48.53; 34.01).

GOSFORD July 23: Kris Lees has talented 2YO CANTIAMO ready to resume after the filly posted a sharp win, showing classy acceleration to sprint home from off the pace and win her 800m heat with plenty in reserve.

RANDWICK July 22: A black type heat over 850m on the Kensington was won by the free running THE NOVELIST (51.48; 33.67). Another super trial on the Randwick A Grass from 3YO gelding ROSELYN'S STAR, giving him three trial wins since May. Once again he was a class above his rivals in his open heat over 1045m, dominating from the front and posting good time with plenty in reserve (62.80; 33.79). Unraced since a win and two placings from his first three starts in early 2024, he sure is ready to make up for lost time. The stakes winning 3YO THE THREE HUNDRED impressed winning his open heat over 1045m (62.70; 34.51). Other previously noted trial stars to post strong performances in the 2YO heats included FROSTFIRE, INIESTA, ZOUFAME and RAJWA.

ROSEHILL July 15: There was plenty of depth in the 900m heat won by RAVENCLAW (55.13; 35.00).

RANDWICK July 11: ROSELYN'S STAR hasn't been seen at the races for 15 months but there is no doubt this 3YO gelding by Shalaa has plenty of ability. Showed potential in his early starts and has now won his two well-spaced trials since May. In this 742m heat he had plenty to offer never coming off the bit to win under a hold in the fastest time of the session (42.69; 32.57). Unraced I Am Invincible youngster RAJWA improved off his first two trials in March to put his stamp on his 742m heat (44.16; 33.60), sitting four wide outside the lead before taking the upper hand and extending for a dominant win. Follow with interest.

NEWCASTLE July 9: The effort of runner-up CANTIAMO in her 800m heat (47.68; 34.34) really took the eye as the Too Darn Hot filly worked to the line in great style from the back half in her first trial since February. She impressed making her debut at Randwick in December but an obvious hiccup saw her miss the autumn. Sure to be winning races on what she showed here.

WYONG June 16: DALMANNDI, an imported stayer in the Lees stable, trialled with purpose and look set to improve on what they have displayed to date in a limited Australian career. He followed up with a strong trial win at Newcastle on July 9 that will have him ready to perform.

RANDWICK May 30: Keen to see ROSELYN'STAR, a 3YO by Shalaa, return to racing after 14 months off the scene. He recorded a win and two placings from his first three starts as a 2YO and his effort to win his return trial in the open heat over 740m (44.18; 33.72) was indicative of his potential. Worked well within himself to run past the leader and win unextended.

HAWKESBURY February 24: Too Darn Hot filly CANTIAMO was heavily supported to win her debut in a strong field at Randwick in December after good trials but could manage only fifth after showing speed. Showed she has the talent with another impressive trial, running home from off the pace under a cold ride to just miss in her 800m heat (47.10; 33.09). Top Newcastle stable obviously has a high opinion of her potential.

ROSEHILL December 23: The 2YO heats over 900m saw a smart win by Farnan colt INIESTA (54.46; 34.93). Still unraced, he has consistently performed well winning two of his four subsequent trials including the latest at Randwick on July 22.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – August 2-3

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Sister Daae (R4); KIrkeby (R7); Bunker Hut (R9)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Crossbow (R1); Post Impressionist (R2); Documentary (R4); Euphoric (R5); Federer (R5); Brayden Star (R6)

EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Habeebah (R1); Tryanza (R3); Tribeca Star (R9)

FORBES SUNDAY: Give Me Joy (R5)

WYONG SUNDAY: Reflect (R3)

BLACKBOOKERS (Selected July 26 - Follow Next 3 Starts)

BLACK ON BEAUTY; GALA QUEEN; SLINKY; SOLDANELLE; TERMAGANT; WISNIERSKA

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Useapin; Amusing; Robusto; Lead Me On; Mormona; Duchess Zou; Don Diego De Vega; Epic Proportions; Stay Silent; Fortunate Kiss; Sound It Out; Getafix; She's Unusual; Stylish; Terilee; Zaszou; Adiella; Shockletz; Oh Too Good; Splash Back, Salty Pearl; Bring Forth; Spione; The Inflictor