Feature Futures @ The BMW

Published: 23 Mar 2015

Great Aussie hope - Fiveandahalfstar takes on a big group of imports in The BMW

The Group One BMW (2,400 metres) looms as an enthralling contest this weekend, with early nominations suggesting it well be the best field in years. Topping the early markets is the Japanese raider To The World ($3.50), a galloper that rates as one of the leading mile and a half horses in Asia.

He’s clearly the one to beat at his best, but how well is he going?

As we learnt last weekend from World Ace, checking the mounting yard before a bet is critical. Despite strong lead-up form and good track gallop reports ahead of the George Ryder (1,500 metres), he finished 11th at $6.50 after parading poorly.

"He (World Ace) just looked yucky in the yard!"

Ron Dufficy, SKY Racing

The strength of international bloodlines doesn’t end there, with the exciting prospect of the entire Melbourne Cup trifecta lining up, the German Protectionist ($7), English Red Cadeaux ($8) and Kiwi Who Shot Thebarman ($9).

Of those three, The Race Guide’s ‘Profiler’ shows that Red Cadeaux is a lean and efficient type who may not perform well on a dry Rosehill Gardens (weather forecast is for a sunny weekend). It’s a track that suits the more powerful types, like Who Shot Thebarman and Protectionist.

Other horses with a big chance in the race include UK imports Hartnell ($4) and He’s Your Man ($15), as well as Kiwi mares Lucia Valentina ($9), Rising Romance ($16) and Silent Achiever ($11).

So who’s holding the fort for the Aussies..?

The big and bold Fiveandahalfstar ($18) will be near the pace trying to hold them off and even the tough 'battler' Phrases ($126) might give it a shot!

Market and Analyst Comment

To The World $3.50 – "priced on near best ratings, see the yard first"

Hartnell $4 – "impressive in Australia, good early bet" bet now

Protectionist $7 – "a risk he has not returned to his best on recent runs"

Red Cadeaux $8 – "not the type for a dry Rosehill track, check conditions"

Lucia Valentina $9 – "a very genuine mare, right in the mix" bet now

Who Shot Thebarman $9 – "a big, strong stayer ready to show his best" bet now

Silent Achiever $11 – "hasn’t found the right race yet, definitely can bounce back" bet now

He’s Your Man $15 – "has always shown great stamina, a good knock-out hope" bet now

Rising Romance $16 - "perhaps a touch dissapointing last weekend and did get minor injury, risky"

Fiveandahalfstar $18 – "much better weighted this time and this is his grand final, can win" bet now

Phrases $126 – "great to see him have a crack, but don’t lose your pay-cheque on this one"

The Race Guide for the BMW will be available on Thursday morning and all other Race Guides for Rosehill will be online Friday at 8am