3 minute read

Vashka looks set to be a shining light in an otherwise bleak and dreary afternoon at Rosehill.

The John O’Shea-trained gelding is in the midst of a breakout campaign and lines up in Saturday’s International Animal Health Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill.

Vashka is the clear cut favourite in the event and deservedly so considering the dominance of his latest success at the course and class over 1350m three weeks ago.

Settled outside the lead, Vashka coasted away for a 2.3 length success.

The gelding rises in weight however it shouldn’t stop him from accounting for a limited group of rivals in Race 7 at Rosehill.

In form jockey Blake Shinn stays aboard the son of Exceed And Excel and the pair will jump from barrier 1.

It will be interesting to see where they settle with minimal early pace in the event.

They could very well end up in front however if this is not the case, the pair will not be far away.

Vashka already rates well clear in Saturday’s International Animal Health Benchmark 75 Handicap (1300m) and all signs point to him working further through the grades.

There is minimal value through the Rosehill program on Saturday and considering the anticipated conditions the meeting will be run in, just getting a winner will be hard enough in itself.

The meeting is expected to be decimated with scratchings on Saturday morning however Saigon Tea will most certainly contest the Horsepower Feeds & Supplements Benchmark 85 Handicap (1800m).

The heavy track on offer at Rosehill will play right into the hands of the proven mudlark.

Saigon Tea opened up at each way odds earlier in the week however is now closing in on favouritism as the rain continues to fall.

Saigon Tea has placed in her past three outings, the latest when third on the Kensington track over 2400m.

Each of these placings have been achieved on firm tracks.

Her record on rain affected going reads four wins from five starts.

She will be right in her element on Saturday.

The mare drops back noticeably in trip from a last start outing over 2400m however the 1800m at Rosehill on Saturday is expected to be a testing one in the conditions.

Best Of The Day 1: R7; #6 Vashka @ $2.30