Rosehill Race 8 – 17:10 AEDT
Group 1, 3-Y-O & Up, Handicap
1100m
Prize: $700,000
Heavy 8
Rail +3 metres entire
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight (kg) | Barrier | Current Price |
| 1. Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 59.5 | 6 | $5.00 |
| 2. Ball of Muscle | Joseph Pride | Glyn Schofield | 56 | 7 | $15 |
| 3. Pierata | Gregory Hickman | Tommy Berry | 56 | 8 | $10 |
| 4. Nature Strip | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 55 | 10 | $5.00 |
| 5. Jungle Edge | Mick Bell | James Winks | 53 | 3 | $18 |
| 6. Graff | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 52 | 2 | $5.50 |
| 7. Kaepernick | John O’Shea | Kathy O’Hara | 52 | 9 | $71 |
| 8. Viridine | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 52 | 4 | $6.50 |
| 9. I Am Excited | David Pfeifer | Corey Brown | 51 | 5 | $26 |
| 10. Encryption | James Cummings | Craig Williams | 51 | 11 | $19 |
| 11. Easy Eddie | Joseph Pride | Robbie Dolan | 51 | 12 | $17 |
| 12. Tribal Wisdom | Michael Moroney | Jay Ford | 51 | 1 | $51 |
| 13. Baller | Anthony Cummings | Andrew Adkins | 50 | 12 | $51 |
Odds correct as of 9am Friday 22 March
Race Overview
The Galaxy is the feature sprint event for the older horses in the Golden Slipper carnival and under handicap conditions, has presented a stellar field. Star sprinter Redzel is facing a tough assignment as the topweight, giving away 3.5 kilograms to his nearest rival. The winner of The Galaxy holds a ballot exemption for the T J Smith Stakes during The Championships at Randwick later in the Autumn.
Race Speed
Plenty of speed in the race with the Chris Waller trained Nature Strip looking to find the front along with last start winner Ball of Muscle on his inside. Two-time Everest winner Redzel will look to remain up on speed along with notable mudlark Jungle Edge while Pierata will look to sit off the fence with cover from the middle draw.
Key Runners
- REDZEL ($5.00)
Settled off the leaders and kept coming when first up in the Challenge stakes and can take a similar seat behind the noted front runners again here. Has four starts for only two minor placings at Rosehill but a strong second up record – eight starts for three wins and three minor placings – suggests he will be up for the task. Handles the wet track with aplomb but lugs weight in comparison to the other chances.
- GRAFF ($5.50)
The Kris Lees colt comes into the race off strong performances in the Newmarket Handicap and Lightning Stakes, beaten a length when fourth in the Group One sprints. His run on the bottomless Randwick track during the Spring suggests he will be able to handle track. Is a winning chance with only 52 kilograms on his back.
- NATURE STRIP ($5.00)
Failed when sent round as heavy favourite in the Oakleigh Plate over this distance at Caulfield - freshened since and trialled well in the interim on a Soft 7. The enigmatic galloper has plenty of doubters but has to be respected. Gun hoop James McDonald taking the ride is a positive for the Waller gelding.
Race Selection
- REDZEL ($5)
Redzel can overcome the topweight and claim another Group One for connections. The horse is as consistent as they come and has proved he can handle the wet conditions. Simply has too much class here and will be fighting out the finish.
