Sydney Preview August 12: Sebonack to show Golden Rose credentials

With TwinSpires offering its Rest Of The World BetBack every Friday night on all races from Sydney, Edge will be analyzing at least one race on the card each week.

#1 Sebonack can show that he’s a genuine contender for next month’s Golden Rose (G1) with a strong performance in the Listed Smithfield RSL Rosebud on Friday night ET.

Run over 1,100 meters (about 5 1/2 furlongs), the Rosebud is the first major prep race in Sydney for the 7-furlong Golden Rose, the most important early-season target for three-year-olds in New South Wales.

At his first two starts, Sebonack showed he was one of the best juveniles in Victoria. He showed a touch of class in winning his debut, the Chairman’s Stakes (G3), and then hit the line strongly when fourth, just 1.15 lengths from the winner, in the Blue Diamond (G1).

That was enough for his connections to bring him north for the Golden Slipper (G1) at Rosehill, but he performed below his best and beat just one horse home in the 16-horse field. He didn’t look entirely comfortable at his first start running clockwise, but he equally may not have enjoyed the heavy going, which was a sharp contrast to the good footing he enjoyed at his first two starts.

The track was rated a Soft 5 two days prior to this race, and if it stays the same he could well be much better for it. He looked like he was handling clockwise racing when winning a trial on July 29.

#11 Zoukerino may prove to be Sebonack’s biggest rival. He made a great impression on his debut July 20, squeezing through a tight gap in the stretch to run away from his rivals by 3 1/4 lengths. He looks to have plenty of improvement in him.

Zoukerino also showed his fitness at a recent trial when finishing second to race rival #5 Kibou. This son of Maurice has won his last two starts nicely, one on heavy footing and another on a good surface. He should run well again.

#6 Troach was an easy winner July 30, in which he beat race rivals #2 Sweet Ride and #4 Voldemort, both of which have the ability to improve. #3 Spacewalk has also shown ability, as has #7 Miss Hellfire, who was well backed in the Magic Millions Classic in January after two solid early runs.

• $10 win/$30 place: #1 Sebonack ($40)
• $1 trifecta: 1, 11 with 1, 5, 11 with 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11 ($16)

BONUS PLAY – NEW ZEALAND

Riccarton, Race 8: Rating 75, 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles)

• $10 win/$20 place, #7 Husk: Went close to winning seven days ago and should be in the firing line again.