Sydney Preview: Fireburn's return a highlight

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

The return of two-year-old champion filly Fireburn highlights a strong day of racing at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.

Fireburn, who nearly won Sydney’s two-year-old Triple Crown after taking the Golden Slipper (G1) and Sires’ Produce (G1), resumes in the 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) Run to the Rose (G2), taking on many of the best spring three-year-olds of both sexes in a final prep for the Golden Rose (G1) in two weeks.

The other features for the day include the Ming Dynasty Quality (G3), Theo Marks (G2), and the Sheraco (G2), all mostly for older horses. Let’s have a look at these features.

Race 6, 12:40 a.m. Saturday: Ming Dynasty Quality (G3), 1,400 meters (about 7 furlongs), 3-year-olds

If you get this race right you’ll probably be well-rewarded, as the local favorite in this 16-horse contest is around 3-1. That falls to Godolphin’s #5 Golden Mile, who backed up a winning debut last season by finishing second to Kibou in the Up and Coming (G3) Aug. 27.

With Kibou not running, Golden Mile looks a good chance, but there are plenty of chances. He should have the measure of the trio of other runners backing up from the Up and Coming — #4 Basquiat (third), #6 Ringmaster (fourth), and #1 Williamsburg (eighth) — but several newcomers could trouble him.

#10 Osipenko and #12 Conqueror will have their supporters, but I was very impressed with the maiden victory of #11 Zou Tiger, and he looks capable of stepping up to this level.

• $10 win/$20 show: #11 Zou Tiger

Race 7, 1:15 a.m. Saturday: Run to the Rose (G2), 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs), 3-year-olds

Interestingly, early markets are not favoring Golden Slipper winner #7 Fireburn on her return to racing. Many are instead sticking to Slipper runner-up #1 Best of Bordeaux, who didn’t quite finish off his first run back this campaign when fifth in the San Domenico (G3) Aug. 27.

Six of the first seven in the San Domenico back up here, with the best-supported outside Best of Bordeaux being runner-up #5 Nettuno. There’s also a lot of support for another filly, #11 In Secret, who was taken out of last week’s Furious Stakes when the track turned up heavy.

However, none of the runners has produced a standout performance yet this season, and if Fireburn resumes in something like her two-year-old form, she will be hard to topple.

• $10 win/$20 show: #7 Fireburn

Race 8, 1:55 a.m. Saturday: Theo Marks Stakes (G2), 1,300 meters (about 6 1/2  furlongs), 3-year-olds and up

A handy field has assembled here, many of which are probably being aimed at the Epsom Handicap (G1) early next month. Most are having their first run this spring, including the likely favorite #4 Mr Mozart, who won three in a row at the end of last season.

Mr Mozart trialed very nicely a couple of weeks ago, beating home #3 Ellsberg, but the latter wasn’t being asked for too much effort. He should improve for that outing and is worth looking at seriously for this race.

• $10 win/$20 show: #3 Ellsberg

Race 9, 2:35 a.m. Saturday: Sheraco Stakes (G2), 1,200 meters, 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares

A good field of fillies and mares contests this event, including #1 Startantes, winner of the Tatts Tiara (G1) at the end of the Queensland winter carnival. She may need the run but should not be underestimated here.

There will be a lot of support for #6 Espiona after her victory in the James Carr (G3) last April. But I’m going to go with the fast-improving #10 Shades of Rose. She’s won six of her eight starts, including the last three in a row, and she was very impressive when demolishing a Rating 82 field at her last start.

• $10 win/$30 show: #10 Shades of Rose

Bonus play — New Zealand

Hastings, Race 7, Gold Trail Stakes (G3), 1,200 meters, 3-year-old fillies

• $10 win/$20 show, #1 Pacific Dragon: In good form at Ruakaka and beaten only by a Group 1 winner at her last start. Could be over the odds given her record.