JANUARY CUP (L)

RACE 5 - 2000m

IMPERIALIST / UNSPOKEN / FUTURE HISTORY

There's no doubt IMPERIALIST is bred to be a good stayer and the four-year-old CHURCHILL gelding is zeroing in on his absolute best. Rounded them up to win the Phoenix (1500m) at Eagle Farm last year, then ran 3rd to SHANWAH in the Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield, and 2nd to that horse in the Gr.2 Alistar Clark (2040m) at Moonee Valley. Got another on the board when victorious in the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben, but could only manage 5th in the QLD Derby. Brought back slowly since August, with an easy victory over 2000m at Taree before fighting on for 2nd behind the classy Waller stablemate WOOTTON VERNI in the Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) last start. Looks ready for this and a major player.

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We're uncertain as to what measures would be necessary to impede FUTURE HISTORY weight wise, as he is a formidable stayer who demonstrated his endurance prowess by winning the 2800m Bagot at Flemington in his previous outing, following his victory in the 2400m Christmas Cup at Randwick. The Ciaron Maher-trained SHOWCASING gelding has only been a short measure of the very best stayers in Australia, but when you have a horse of this calibre, he can never be counted out over any challenging trip. Comes back in distance for this, which should balance out the weight differential somewhat if they don't try to go too hard out in front.

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Peter Snowden has been able to get a couple of nice wins out of his TERRITORIES gelding UNSPOKEN, but that was up to Open Quality grade, with Stakes grade victories proving much harder to come by. Didn't see thr track much in 2025, with a 4th to KINGSWOOD in the Ichiban Plate and another to MAJOR BEEL in the ATC Cup at Rosehill the two most notable results before finishing 3rd to TAVI TIME in the Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick last start. Can make an impact in this small as heading in the right direction and will be chasing hard to the end.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1300m

BAND OF BROTHERS / STEP ASIDE / JUNQUEIRA

We know how good the Matty Dunn trained BAND OF BROTHERS can be a super dynamic galloper, as the OMAHA BEACH gelding has been putting it all together up in Queensland. Finished 3rd in the Gr.3 Manfred Stakes at Sandown 12 months back but was unable to win one until claiming victory over 1400m at the Sunny in November. Run down late in the Gateway at Eagle Farm before winning there with a much stronger effort earlier in the month. Back to the 1300m with fitness on his side should help chances. Well-placed here with a 3kg claim.

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The Chris Waller-trained STEP ASIDE is three runs into his current preparation and should be ready to show something. This six-year-old REDWOOD gelding raced away over 1300m at Rosehill in Feb, then chased hard to prove victorious over 1200m at Randwick in April, before being held up when 3rd at Sandown. The last couple mid-year were just plain awful, so Waller has reset the gelding, with a fair 4th at Randwick last start after being carried wider at the 900m. He really does possess a mighty kick, so only needs some space to move to be effective. Too good to ignore and may be rearing to go.

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JUNQUEIRA competed two weeks ago at Randwick, securing a third-place finish behind her impressive stablemate, COUNTYOURBLESSINGS. She settled off the pace during that race and demonstrated a strong finish so should really come on from that. The CAPITALIST mare appears to be in excellent form and is expected to perform well in this upcoming event, despite the predicted persistent rain from Friday night leading throughout the day on Saturday softening the track.

☆☆

RANVET HANDICAP BM78

RACE 7 - 2400

BESTOWER / PLACID PEARL / LENNOX

BESTOWER has had a four-week break since her last race over this distance at Randwick. In that race, she found herself too far behind early on and, despite making some progress, she was unable to pose a serious threat to CALLISTEMON. Her recent trial was quite satisfactory, and her peak performance is certainly capable of securing a victory.

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PLACID PEARL has demonstrated excellent form recently and appears capable of continuing her success. Her previous race at Ranwick two weeks ago showcased a strong finish on the inside, where she improved throughout the race to secure a decisive victory. The 2400m distance seems perfectly suited to her, making her a formidable competitor.

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We don't feel the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained LENNOX is entirely out of this, as his record this prep has been sound and the two wins at Gosford and Kensington stood out to us, despite being in lower grade. The imported MUHAARAR gelding came wider the last start over 2100m at Wyong and he probably took a bit out of that when beaten 3L into 4th place. Certainly, will need to lift again, although gets our to a trip that should suit his pedigree and these oddss are generous.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1100m

BEV'S NINE / POWER OF THE BRAVE / EYE OF THE FIRE

The potential of BEV'S NINE could be demonstrated here if the horse is able to achieve another victory, following a perfect record of 3/3 for the O’Shea/Charlton team. The SHALAA gelding's most recent performance was at Warwick Farm in August, where he secured a narrow yet impressive win. The horse appears to have performed exceptionally well in a recent trial, marking him a subject of interest for both observers and the market.

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POWER OF THE BRAVE is a specialist in short-distance races and tends to lead, which makes him an ideal contender for the Rosehill 1100m. He secured a victory over 1000m at Randwick on Boxing Day, maintaining the lead throughout the race and leaving no opportunity for other competitors. It is anticipated that he will look the winner for a significant portion of the race, and we're hopeful the track conditions will remain favourable for him despite the forecast.

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Mollie Fitzgerald's 3kg claim is expected to be highly advantageous for EYE OF THE FIRE, especially after the impressive victory at Randwick in his previous outing, where the sprinter demonstrated strong resolve to take the lead at the 150m mark and maintained his momentum. The Archibald’s seemed to have found the right formula to bring out the best in the EPAULETTE gelding and 2nd up he presents just as formidable. Likely to gain a tidy trail from this gate before powering ip that last bit. Just needs to be taken seriously in current condition.

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BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1500m

CHANGING COLOURS / ALABAMA FOX / CALLISTEMON

CHANGING COLOURS is currently in her third start after a break and appears to be approaching peak fitness. Her performance was quite notable when she secured a second-place finish here in her first start, and then, two weeks ago at Randwick, she made some progress from the back of the field, though she didn't pose a significant threat to MISS SPACEGIRL. Has to be considered a significant contender and looms as a major threat.

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It is difficult to find too many dents in the progress of ALABAMA FOX, and the Archibald’s will once again utilise the 3kg claim of Molly Fitzgerald to aide her chances. The ALABAMA EXPRESS mare finished 2nd ar Warwick Farm before an eight-week break, then run down late by AMPLIFY resuming at Randwick over 1400m. Nailed it over this 1500m trip at Randwick last start and raced right away from the 250m on straightening. Does look hard to hold out again if able to repeat that bold effort.

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CALLISTEMON has demonstrated positive form and appears capable of continuing this trend. Initial assessments after her first few races were uncertain, but her performance four weeks ago at Randwick was commendable, as she finished strongly to secure third place behind THE MONA LISA. We believe she has a strong chance in this race but does need to find a bit more resolve.

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