Unbeaten this preparation with victories in the Listed Rosebud followed by the G2 Run To The Rose, the Corumbene Stud bred and raced Menari (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) lines up in Saturday's A$1-million G1 Golden Rose (1400m) as the dominant favourite. While having to jump from barrier 11 in the 14 horse field, the Gerald Ryan-trained colt is versatile, and as a big striding horse, he will appreciate the room. With the last three winners of the Golden Rose having won the Run To The Rose the start prior before standing at stud the following season, the writing is on the wall for last season's champion sire Snitzel to record his 12th elite level winner with Menari.
One of the hardest to defeat could come from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable in Gold Standard (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}), a last-start winner of the G2 Stan Fox S. (1500m). Although having to drop back in trip, the colt was impressive last time out and with Tommy Berry coming back from Hong Kong for the ride, connections must feel confident.
Having only finished outside the top two on one occasion from his six career starts, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained 'TDN Rising Star' Pariah (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) has all the right credentials to play a part in the finish, especially after his last-start second to Menari.
An interesting runner is the Melbourne visitor Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), unbeaten after four starts for Ciaron Maher. Part-owned by Coolmore, the colt joins multiple stakes-winning filly Formality (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), not only by the same champion sire, but also part-owned by the global breeding giant.
A winner over Alizee (Aus) (Sepoy {Aus}) first-up this campaign before a fighting effort over Champagne Cuddles (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), who she will meet again on Saturday, Formality appears the pick of the fillies, but she is yet to race beyond 1200m and the trip may prove beyond her best, although her dam Jolie's Shinju (Jpn) (Jolie's Halo) is a winner of the Singapore Derby over 2000m.
Another of the Snowden team who could prove a good each- way option is the lightly raced Assimilate (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}), a narrow last-start second to Addictive Nature (Aus) (Savabeel {Aus}) at Group 3 level after having defeated stablemate Dracarys (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), who himself went on to defeat Gold Standard in the G3 Up and Coming S. and will also line up here.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
