Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the San Domenico Stakes meeting at Rosehill on August 30 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

ROSEHILL August 30

Best Bets

RACE 3 – (7) AMREEKIYAH: Her unbeaten run came to an end in the very heavy ground at Rosehill on August 16 when she finished a creditable fourth over 1400m in her first start under such conditions. It was a tough challenge second up but it did show she will appreciate this longer trip with a drying Rosehill track giving her the opportunity to display her real talent.

RACE 5 – (11) TAZIMA: It took only three local starts for this promising 4YO import to record his first Australian win, looking a class above his rivals when he scored easily over 1800m on the Kensington track at Randwick on August 13. Chris Waller excels with this type of lightly raced import and has him nicely placed to progress as he should relish the step up to 2000m (he won his second start in the UK over 2011m) with a handy 2.5kg drop in weight.

RACE 8 – (7) RAGING FORCE: Exciting prospect faces his class test after coming to the fore with three impressive wins in June and July after he was gelded, the sequence ending with a classy win over 1100m at this course under 59kg. He holds an edge in residual fitness over some quality resuming rivals with his easy trial win at Randwick on August 19 having him primed to measure up as a Group performer.

Selections

RACE 1: (4) MONKHANA; (10) Starphistocated; (7) Wild Thoughts; (6) Coto De Caza

RACE 2: (3) SOLITARIO; (2) Shipshape; (6) Al Flores; (4) Warrior For Peace

RACE 3: (7) AMREEKIYAH; (8) Sister Daae; (1) Sacred Rocks; (6) Sunshine Law

RACE 4: (1) KAPAKIRI; (9) Nkosi; (4) Captain Furai; (3) Rogue Rocker

RACE 5: (11) TAZIMA; (1) Travolta; (3) Amusing; (6) Sly Boots

RACE 6: (2) PROVIDENCE; (3) Grand Prairie; (4) Sixties; (8) Fermoy

RACE 7: (6) POLYGLOT; (10) Without Parallel; (3) Roselyn's Star; (8) Dance To The Boom

RACE 8: (7) RAGING FORCE; (4) King Of Pop; (5) Wodeton; (2) Rivellino

RACE 9: (15) OUR GOLD HOPE; (4) Estadio Mestalla; (7) McHale; (13) Half Yours

RACE 10: (16) SERGEANT MAJOR; (15) Emirate; (14) Gatsby's; (10) Perfumist

Why They Can Win….

RACE 1 – (4) MONKHANA: Strong second up winner over 1500m at this course. Holds scope to go on with it.

RACE 2 – (3) SOLITARIO: Genuine improver. Well placed this trip with blinkers on, J Mac aboard and rails draw.   

RACE 4 – (1) KAPAKIRI: Easy win under 60.5kg second up. Claim has him well placed to repeat.

RACE 6 – (2) PROVIDENCE: Classy prospect. Trial win suggests starting off at 1300m is the right fit.

RACE 7 – (6) POLYGLOT: First rate form in this class. All the better for excellent first-up placing in the heavy.

RACE 9 – (15) OUR GOLD HOPE: Group class mare had no luck first-up. Set to improve in a difficult race.

RACE 10 – (16) SERGEANT MAJOR: Went out in winning form. Conditions suit with his good fresh record.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – August 27-30

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Providence (R6); Aerodrome (R6); Dance To The Boom (R7); Raging Force (R8); Wodeton (R8); King Of Pop (R8); Rivellino (R8); Grebeni (R9); Lord Of Biscay (R10); Colourful Emperor (R10); Emirate (R10) 

CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Mazu (R7); Manaal (R8); Another Wil (R9); Warnie (R10)

KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: West Of Swindon (R7); Feared (R7)

WYONG SUNDAY: West Of Swindon (R3); Rajwa (R4/R5); Whatalegacy (R5); Jacob's Ladder (R7)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Banjora; Autumn Glow; Via Sistina; Better Late; Skyhook; Private Eye; Savvy Hallie; Cantiamo; Ohope; Cuban Cigar; Balmain Darling; Barbarossa; Slinky; Ravenclaw, The Novelist; Johnny; Nashville Jack; Kerber; Skyglider; Amreekiyah; King Of Roseau; Valilee; Custom; Grand Prairie; Southern Heiress; Straand Beauty; Nazwah

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM August 22 (Poly): Veteran sprinter MAZU (44.15; 33.44) recorded soft wins in his open heat over 740m. In the fastest 1175m heat the late work of GREBENI took the eye.

RANDWICK August 19 (Poly): An impressive piece of work from RAGING FORCE in his first trial since he won three on the bounce in June and July. Had plenty in reserve posting a soft win in his 1080m heat (63.93; 33.87), work that will have him ready to take on some good 3YO races in coming weeks.

CANTERBURY August 18: This big set of trials were transferred from Rosehill with many of the runners in the three black type heats trialling by necessity in the heavy conditions to fit their preps for the spring. In Heat 2 over 900m (56.65; 36.93) KING OF POP was the one to impress closing the fast winner Bonita Queen down to 1.4 lengths on the line. In the faster third heat over 900m (56.22; 35.99) one of last season's better 2YOs RIVELLINO impressed with a strong third after covering ground from the 500m. Among the better open heat winners were LORD OF BISCAY and EMIRATE while maidens to keep tabs on include the promising PROVIDENCE.

WARWICK FARM August 8: In the 900m black type heat FELIX MAJESTIC had too much toe, showing his natural pace to lead from start to finish (55.05; 35.71). Quality sprinter WARNIE worked within himself while BUCKAROO started off his prep with an easy conditioning trial. Other heat winners worth noting included the veteran MAZU returning with a strong performance in his 795m heat.

RANDWICK August 7: Some classy trials in the four black type heats despite the heavy conditions. In Heat 1 (1000m) FANGIRL got into her work late for fourth. In Heat 4 (850m) MANAAL trucked through this trial in good time (53.61; 36.29) under a big hold for a classy win in a sure sign she is in good form to resume. WODETON impressed with his closing second after coming through the heavier ground on the inside.

GOSFORD August 7: G1 winner ANOTHER WIL made another Gosford appearance for an easy trial. He got into his work strongly over the last 100m to finish a close second in his 1000m heat (61.89; 36.28).

GOSFORD July 23: Ciaron Maher's G1 winner ANOTHER WIL had a day out as his first step towards the spring. He contested the fastest 800m heat (34.34) in his first trial since he ran in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick in April, working to the line to finish fifth before carrying on with a strong gallop for 400m past the post.

RANDWICK July 22: All the focus was on the two black type heats on the Kensington where some of our best Group horses started their preps for the spring. In Heat 1 (850m) G1 winner TOM KITTEN did no more than work easily off the pace, finishing in the back half in the field of eight. In Heat 2 (850m) MANAAL and WODETON were given easy conditioning trials. Previously noted trial stars to post strong performances in the 2YO heats included RAJWA while the stakes winning 3YO DANCE TO THE BOOM impressed winning her open heat.

ROSEHILL July 15: Another impressive trial by the import COLOURFUL EMPEROR. A winner in Ireland and Hong Kong under the name of Keepupwithmyempire, he hasn't raced for 14 months but is going well for the Ryan/Alexiou stable with his easy win in his 1030m heats (63.32; 35.56) following up his noted Rosehill trial win on July 4. He had yet another trial for a win at Hawkesbury on August 25, obviously getting the work to have him ready for a good first-up performance. Eye catchers in other 900m heats included the classy WEST OF SWINDON in his first trial since his switch from the Hawkes stable to Ciaron Maher.

RANDWICK July 11: It's that time of the year when late season 2YO trials point to early 3YO winners. 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.

ROSEHILL July 4: An open heat winner to make an impression was COLOURFUL EMPEROR, a 5YO gelding who has raced successful in Ireland and Hong Kong with four wins up to 1200m. He's now with the Ryan/Alexiou team and will attract attention when he races after sharp win his open heat over 900m (54.65; 34.65), tracking the leader and working to the line in good style for a comfortable win.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – August 30-September 1

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: King Ratel (R5); Kingston Charm (R3); Amreekiyah (R3); Sister Daae (R3); Captain Furai (R4); Fermoy (R6); Polyglot (R7); Territory Express (R9); Grebeni (R9)

CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Haaracaine (R1); Gala Queen (R2); Brayden Star (R5); Express Class (R6); Von Hauke (R7); Abounding (R8); Warnie (R10)

EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Pareto (R9); Kirkeby (R2); Bullion Boy (R7)  

KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: West Of Swindon (R7); Reflect (R8)

GRAFTON SATURDAY: Sources Link (R4)

WYONG SUNDAY: West Of Swindon (R3); Reflect (R4)

PORT MACQUARIE MONDAY: Show Em Howl (R6)

BLACKBOOKERS (Selected August 23 - Follow Next 3 Starts)

BUR DUBAI; CEOWULF; HUTCHENCE; ROBRICK

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Monkhana; Point Barrow; Saltcoats; Monte Supreme; Relentless Voyager; Crossbow; 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