GIGA KICK STAKES - 1300m, Rosehill R7

The Giga Kick Stakes brings together a field of eight, three of which contested The Everest, along with a few other very accomplished types.

Everest winner Think About It is the odds on favourite, and well he might be given he has now won 11 of his 12 career starts, including the last nine of them in a row. He was only second-up into The Everest, so should still have plenty in the tank, and it’s arguable that 1300m suits him even more than 1200m does.

Think About It had ever favour in The Everest, and was good enough to take advantage of it, while Private Eye endured a tougher run but will still there swinging at the end to be beaten three-quarters of a length.

Private Eye was also second-up there, having won The Shorts in dynamic fashion first-up. He won this race last year, and is going as well as ever. He will jump from barrier five, while Think About It has three, and with a kinder run against his stablemate could very well turn the tables.

Is there a horse in the field that can upset the two Joe Pride favourites? Cascadian, Mazu and Bella Nipotina are the three most likely.

Cascadian is first-up here, and his recent first-up runs in Group 1 company at the 1300m-1400m distance range say he can be competitive, but probably not win. He’s been beaten 1-2 lengths in elite races like the Canterbury Stakes, Memsie Stakes, Orr Stakes and Winx Stakes.

Mazu finished 11^th in The Everest, but was the only horse in the race that was genuinely unlucky. He got completely chopped out at a key stage, so never came into the race. That said, it’s hard to see him beating the two favourites, but he might be a value place bet.

Bella Nipotina wouldn’t have been out of place in The Everest, and her Sydney Stakes run on the same day was superb after getting so far back from a horror draw. She’s probably half a level below the absolute top shelf, but if the rain comes in waves she’ll relish it more than most.

Selections: 1.Private Eye 2.Think About It 3.Bella Nipotina 4.Mazu

Cameron rose's Tip

PRIVATE EYE

WIN

Giga Kick Stakes 04 November 16:00

4. Private Eye

Win

Place

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

ROSEHILL GOLD CUP - 2000m, Rosehill R9

The Rosehill Gold Cup is worth a healthy $750,000, and we’ll see them do battle over 2000m.

A good rule of thumb for unseen internationals in Australia is to back them at 2000m and above, and risk them at 1600m and below. Which means UK galloper Canberra Legend can be seen as the horse to beat, a statement the market agrees with by installing him a warm favourite.

He’s only lightly raced, having had six career starts, all of them in 2023, and while he doesn’t exactly bring world-class form here from overseas, he doesn’t need to carrying 52kg’s against this group.

Stroke of Luck, also on the minimum weight, looks one of the hardest to beat. He was Group 1 placed behind Kovalica in the Queensland Derby over the Brisbane winter carnival, and it’s been good to see him return as a four-year-old with winning form. Up in class but dropping 7kg’s is a good profile.

Shock ‘Em Ova has been in the quinella at seven of eight career starts down in Melbourne, and brings winning form and a wonderful SP profile up to Sydney. He’s also been carrying big weights in lesser grade, so will appreciate being down on 52kg’s here.

No Compromise is always a threat in this sort of race, if he produces his best. Stablemate Shibli keeps winning up in Queensland and deserves a shot at better company now. Sky Lab has a good race in him, but we’re running out of patience. Political Debate looks over the odds if he can run 2000m, and breeding suggests he should be okay.

Selections: 1.Canberra Legend 2.Stroke of Luck 3.Shock ‘Em Ova 4.Shibli

Cameron rose's Tip

CANBERRA LEGEND

WIN

Rosehill Gold Cup 04 November 17:20

6. Canberra Legend

Win

Place

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