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Ladbrokes Blog: 2024 Southern Cross Stakes Day Preview

3 minute read

The Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes headlines a 10-race program at Rosehill this Saturday. 

LOST AND RUNNING winning the Southern Cross Stakes.
LOST AND RUNNING winning the Southern Cross Stakes. Picture: Steve Hart

For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.

Other feature races on the card will see the two-year-olds put forward their Golden Slipper cases when they line up in the Group 3 Widden Stakes for the girls and Canonbury Stakes for the boys. 

We've provided our thoughts on every race below. 

RACE 1 - 12:30PM: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1350 METRES)

Treize (9) has never been out of the top three in five starts and looks well placed to continue that record. 

The John Sargent-trained four-year-old mare resumed two starts ago with a hard fought on pace win on the Kensington track over 1250m. 

She then tried hard but couldn't catch Oceans One when 1.3 lengths second over 1000m at Gosford. 

She was six weeks between runs so will strip fitter here and with Molly Bourke's claim, she'll carry just 52.5kg. 

1 Unit – Treize (9)

BET NOW: Rosehill Race 1

RACE 2 - 1:05PM: HIGHWAY PLATE (1500 METRES)

Stay Safe (5) gets in nicely under the set weight conditions of the race.  

The former Western Australian gelding is a multiple black-type placegetter including a runner-up finish in the Group 2 WA Guineas over 1600m. 

Since joining the Brett Cavanough stable, he bolted in by 5.8 lengths over a mile at Ballina last start. 

He's at peak fitness fourth-up and the booking of Nash Rawiller is a strong pointer towards the stable's confidence. 

2 Units – Stay Safe (5)

BET NOW: Rosehill Race 2

RACE 3 - 1:40PM: GROUP 3 ARROWFIELD CANONBURY STAKES (1100 METRES)

Prost (8) returns for her second preparation after a very good debut in the Group 3 Breeders Plate in September. 

The Waterhouse Bott-trained filly settled in the second half of the field before running on strongly to finish third by just under a length. 

She has come back this preparation in fine style with two trial wins with the most recent seeing her defeat Golden Gift winner Shangri La Express. 

Tim Clark takes the ride and will have options from barrier 1. 

1 Unit – Prost (8)

BET NOW: Rosehill Race 3

RACE 4 - 2:15PM: GROUP 3 SOUTHERN CROSS STAKES (1200 METRES)

Lady Laguna (3) returns from a successful Queensland campaign in red hot form.

The Annabel Neasham-trained four-year-old mare won the Listed Nudgee Stakes two starts back before charging to the line and making a mess of her rivals when winning the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares.

She's only raced at Rosehill twice but did romp in by four lengths here at just her second start.

James McDonald remains in the saddle and should box seat in the small field.

3 Units – Lady Laguna (3)

BET NOW: Rosehill Race 4

RACE 5 - 2:50PM: GROUP 3 WIDDEN STAKES (1100 METRES)

Lady Of Camelot (6) looks in amazing order to start her second preparation. 

The Waterhouse and Bott-trained daughter of Written Tycoon started favourite in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes in September. 

Unfortunately, she was caught deep in the run but to her credit she fought on well to finish fourth by 0.6L. 

She's had two trials heading into this first-up assignment and couldn't have been more impressive, leading all the way for 9.3 and 3 length victories. 

From the inside barrier, Tim Clark will go forward and give them something to catch. 

5 Units – Lady Of Camelot (6)

BET NOW: Rosehill Race 5

RACE 6 - 3:25PM: JAMES SQUIRE HANDICAP (2000 METRES)

Morning Sun (4) was scratched from a winnable race on Wednesday for this so we must respect that decision by Annabel Neasham. 

The import found the line strongly to finish a neck second to Age Of Sail in his Australian debut over 1600m at Warwick Farm. 

He'll have taken benefit from the run and will enjoy the rise to 2000m given he won two from three over the distance in the UK. 

James McDonald replaces the apprentice and can give his mount the run of the race from barrier 2. 

2 Units – Morning Sun (4)

BET NOW: Rosehill Race 6

RACE 7 - 4:00PM: BREED 4 SPEED WITH KIA ORA STALLIONS HANDICAP (1500 METRES)

Robusto (2) has hit a purple patch of form since returning from Melbourne. 

The Chris Waller-trained gelding won three starts back at Randwick before recording another win last start when running on strongly to win over 1400m here. 

He loves racing at Rosehill boasting two wins and two placings from five starts at the track. 

He should settle in a prominent position from barrier 1 for James McDonald. 

1 Unit – Robusto (2)

BET NOW: Rosehill Race 7

RACE 8 - 4:40PM: VALE BILL CAMER HANDICAP (1350 METRES)

Powerful Peg (2) can bounce back with the slight drop in distance third-up.  

The Rubick mare found the line strongly first-up over 1200m at Randwick to finish a head second before tiring in the final 50m over 1400m here last start when finishing fourth. 

She won third-up last preparation and will appreciate the drop in class. 

Dylan Gibbons should be able to settle handy and give her every chance. 

1 Unit – Powerful Peg (2)

BET NOW: Rosehill Race 8

RACE 9 - 5:20PM: SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

Our Kobison (6) faces his stiffest test to date but looks up to the challenge. 

The Angela Davies-trained speedster looked to be in spot of bother second-up when trucking up behind the leaders, but the seas parted, and he burst through to win comfortably over 1100m at this track. 

He takes on 1200m for the first time but given how soft his win was on the line and the fact he'll strip fitter third-up, he looks more than capable of stepping up. 

James McDonald is undefeated in two rides on him and should be able to give him a sweet run on speed. 

3 Units – Our Kobison (6)

BET NOW: Rosehill Race 9

RACE 10 - 5:55PM: EXPECT IT ALL THIS AUTUMN AT ATC HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

The Black Cloud (14) has started her career in impressive fashion with two wins from as many starts. 

The Joe Pride-trained daughter of Shamus Award dashed clear to win by two lengths on debut at Gosford before showing real grit to pull away late and win by 1.3 lengths last start on the Kensington track. 

The rise to 1200m looks suitable third-up with increased fitness. 

With the rise in class, she'll carry just 53.5kg and should enjoy a great run for Jay Ford. 

1 Unit – The Black Cloud (14)

BET NOW: Rosehill Race 10


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