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San Domenico Stakes Day: feature race tips and previews

SAN DOMENICO STAKES - 1100m, Rosehill R8

The San Domenico is one of two feature races for three-year-old’s on Saturday at Rosehill, with this one held over 1100m, and the Up And Coming run at 1300m. It’s slightly odd to have two races for the same age group so close in distance, but in the racing game not everything is supposed to make sense.

The early favourite is The Instructor, who started second favourite in the Rosebud at this track and distance two weeks ago, and ran a close third in a blanket finish where two lengths covered the entire field. He kept his stablemate Introducing company up on the speed – they both held on well to finish in the placings behind Tiz Invincible, and there doesn’t look to be much between them.

Cigar Flick closed off nicely in the Rosebud from the tail, but how much are we to read into a bunched finish like that? Usually, it means the form is worth risking, but quite a few of these were lightly raced and will have different levels of upside.

Godolphin comes to the race with two colts that were both Group winners as two-year-old’s.

Corniche beat subsequent Golden Slipper winner Shinzo in the Skyline Stakes last time we saw him, and before that had beaten subsequent Blue Diamond winner Little Brose home in a Prelude. He looks the classic professional that James Cummings so often produces, and has trialled well, but does have to concede all others weight.

Barber won his first three starts as a juvenile, but made little impression as favourite in the Blue Diamond, and made no impact in the Slipper. The jury is out on his quality, but he might be one that shone brightly early but has already had his best days.

Libertad creates some intrigue as an unbeaten runner for Annabel Neasham, with one of his wins being over Barber back in April, but we can’t be sure he’s been completely wound up for this assignment.

Kandinsky Abstract is the X-factor runner, with many good judges anointing him as one to watch earlier this year, despite having only one career start for a maiden win. He beat a couple of handy ones in that win, and the giveaway is that James McDonald has ridden him in every trial and race he’s ever had. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and in an even field where we are still working things out, there’s enough there to have him on top.

If there’s one at odds that could pop up, it might be Moravia for Michael Freedman. He looks to have above average ability, and could make his presence felt.

Selections: 1.Kandinsky Abstract 2.Corniche 3.Libertad 4.Moravia

Cameron rose's Tip

KANDINSKY ABSTRACT

EACH-WAY

Smithfield Rsl San Domenico 26 August 15:50

9. Kandinsky Abstract

Win

Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

UP AND COMING STAKES - 1300m, Rosehill R7

The Up and Coming looks the lesser race of the two features at Rosehill on Saturday, but with some of the form a bit more exposed.

Caballus heads the market here with the Waller-McDonald combination again to the fore, and does look the horse to beat not just based on his record so far, but what many think could have been three unbeaten runs.

He got a long way back on debut at Canterbury, and never got his rightful crack at them while still finishing within two lengths. His second start was a winning one, over the talented Estriella, who has a big boom on her and has since been Group 2 placed. Last time out he was again held up before catching the eye late once clear.

Some horses are a lightning rod for bad luck, in that it just keeps finding them, and it does pay to be wary once they start getting that reputation. But Caballus is still young enough that he can be forgiven, and this field may not have a great deal of depth.

Kintyre did beat Caballus home last start, but the latter now gets a weight advantage and a chance to meet with even luck.

Les Vampires is the main challenger to Caballus in the betting after a good maiden win. He likes to dictate in his races, as is the Waterhouse/Bott way, and will almost certainly lead this field along. With bad luck out of the equation and his main danger behind him, he’ll have admirers.

Griff was good in the Rosebud, but then again the whole field was okay and they all finished within two lengths of each other. We’ll get to see how that stacks up as a form race in both Rosehill features on Saturday.

Manwe is a another maiden winner that might progress, Encap was second to Les Vampires last start and looks a consistent type that is yet to break through, while Tom Kitten is the class runner from what we saw in the autumn but has to give the field at least 4kg’s on his way to a Spring Champion and potential VRC Derby.

Selections: 1.Caballus 2.Griff 3.Les Vampires 4.Tom Kitten

Cameron rose's Tip