3 minute read

A handy field lines up in the TAB rewards Benchmark 95 Handicap over 1200m at Rosehill this afternoon, headed in the weights by the consistent Testarhythm who looks one of the hardest to beat.

This afternoon’s race will be a slight drop in grade for the son of Testa Rossa who has raced three times since a spell for a fresh up win at Scone over 1100m in Listed Ortensia Stakes where he defeated a good quality line up but he and other rivals might find it hard to hold out the lighter weighted Skip Town.

Trained by Matthew Smith, Skip Town comes into the race as the last start highest rated runner on Timeform weight adjusted figures and equal best rated runner based on peak weight adjusted Timeform ratings.

The son of Gonski has raced three times since a spell and all of his runs have been full of merit.

Fresh up over 1100m at Rosehill he was badly held up for clear running in the home straight going to the post untested behind Green Beret. Then a narrow win followed over 1200m in benchmark 85 grade before an even run last time out when fifth behind Cradle Me beaten just over a length when dropping back in distance.

Skip Town is back up to 1200m today and stays in the same class however I can him enjoying a good run just off the back of the speed and being produced by regular rider Kerrin McEvoy late in the straight.

Skip Town enjoys a 45% win record at 1200m and only has to run to form to be the horse they all have to beat.

Territory scratched from the Randwick Kensington meeting last Saturday looms as the main danger.

A winner of three races in the last 12 months, I am assuming he has not had a setback in his preparation - hence his withdrawal last week - and will be close to the form that saw him run promisingly in the Listed Ramornie Handicap last start.

On that occasion Tye Angland, who retains the mount this afternoon, was forced to go back from his outside barrier and ride for luck.

Unfortunately he did not have much of that being forced back to last before circling the field approaching the turn trying to get into the race.

Pushed off the track on the home turn, Territory didn’t shirk his task hitting the line strongly to grab third place behind the impressive winner Big Money.

While that run rated a few pounds short of his best weight adjusted Timeform rating, there were genuine excuses and a return form will see him comfortably taking a hand in the finish.

A query remains on Testarhythm after a recent stable change from Darren Smith to Benjamin Smith.

He too comes off the Ramornie Handicap where he was almost two and a half lengths astern Territory in seventh place after having a much better run in the race.

On handicap weights there is no real advantage to Testarhythm from that match up which is probably why Smith has decided to use three kilos claiming apprentice Serg Lisnyy.

Still a return to his winning form at Scone would ensure him a Timeform weight adjusted rating sufficient to have him in the frame.

The remaining chance on weight adjusted ratings is Oakfield Commands who has been in impeccable form in three runs since a spell.

Narrowly beaten when resuming, Oakfield Commands then changed stables from Darren Smith to Gerald Ryan and scored in open company over 1200m at Randwick dispensing with the capable Zaratone in the closing stages to win by over a length.

Lasts start he then stepped up in trip to 1350m of the Listed Civic Stakes finishing a game tiring fourth behind the impressive Generalife. But this afternoon’s race represents a class drop on that effort.

The drop back to 1200m from 1350m is also a significant benefit as all his wins have been between 1100m and 1300m and there is no doubt he just tired in the final 100m last time out.

An interesting race awaits decision however if Skip Town holds form he is the one to beat.