TAB Highway Hcp (C3)

With the rail at +4m, the track can often play towards runners who are on-pace and can find a path 2-3 lanes off the fence in the straight. On a Heavy 9 surface, the inside section is likely to be significantly chopped up by this stage of the day, making it inferior ground. This disadvantages horses who are locked away on the rail and advantages those who can angle into clear, slightly wider ground upon straightening. This puts horses drawn wide, if they can get cover, in a potentially good spot to find the better going late.

The Heavy 9 track rating is the single most critical factor. This will severely test the stamina of every runner, particularly those involved in the early speed battle. The predicted strong tempo will be unsustainable for most, and we can expect leaders to be very vulnerable over the final 200m. Proven heavy track performers will have a significant class edge. The race will be a true test of strength and will favour horses that can relax in the run and produce a sustained effort rather than a sharp turn of foot.

The 1200m start at Rosehill provides a run of approximately 400m to the first turn. This is generally enough time for horses to find a position, but with a large field and significant speed drawn wide, it will force those jockeys' hands early. The long, sweeping home straight is forgiving for runners who get a fair tempo, but on a Heavy 9, it will feel like a long, gruelling slog. The strong pace predicted will ensure that only horses with genuine stamina for the distance and conditions will be strong to the line.

As a Class 3 Highway Handicap, this race brings together country-trained horses in a large, competitive field. These races are often run at a frantic pace, as jockeys are keen to establish a prominent position. The handicap conditions mean horses are weighted according to their form, theoretically giving all runners an equal chance, but the map and track conditions will be the great levellers here.