Ready to Bloom in the Rosebud
Published: 06 Aug 2021
All class - The promising Remarque has the potential to be a Golden Rose winner, but can he win today?
Spring is in the air and the quest towards the Group One Golden Rose for the newly turned three-year-olds begins today with the Listed Rosebud over 1,100 metres. While the winner of the Rosebud hasn’t gone on to win the Group One Golden Rose in recent years, there are always strong runs that give us a clue towards the future, including an eye-catching finish from Ole Kirk first-up in 2020.
So, who is ready to bloom in the Rosebud and which horses will be better suited in the Golden Rose? The Race Guide analyst Adrian Sciglitano has a close look at the main contenders.
PAULELE
3yo Chestnut colt | DAWN APPROACH (IRE) x CHATOYANT
Team Godolphin know what it takes to find a horse to win a Golden Rose, producing three of the past six winners with Exosphere back in 2015, Astern in 2016 and the classy sprinter Bivouac fighting hard in 2019. They will produce the first of their chances on Saturday in the Rosebud when chestnut colt Paulele stakes his claims first up after last being seen with a dominant victory in the Kindergarten stakes, a race both Astern and Bivouac won on their way to victory in the Golden Rose. His best win to date was on soft ground at Randwick and he’s got a weight penalty today. It’s hard to see him winning the Rosebud and he might want some rain before the grand finale.
MAZU
3yo Bay colt | MAURICE (JPN) x CHATELAINE
I have a lot of time for the son of Maurice (JPN) from the Snowden team and we have only seen him step out twice as a two-year-old including a very unlucky 3rd in the Pago Pago stakes over 1,200 metres. A neat and compact type with a robust frame, he’s a bit of a ‘bulldog’ in the yard and it will be interesting to see what distance suits him best as he matures. The recent trial with raceday rival In the Congo suggests he is ready for a forward showing and he’s got enough x-factor to be a chance in both races.
REMARQUE
3yo Bay or Brown colt | SNITZEL x RESPONSE
The boom colt from the Hawkes stable has always possessed a big wrap and he will be out to make a statement when he resumes first up over 1,100 metres after only having the two runs as a two-year-old, his latest when forgivable in the Todman after racing fresh and being caught wide on the turn. He is a beautifully balanced type with strength and athleticism, I don’t have much doubt that he will be fit and ready to go in the yard. The two trials this preparation suggest he’s still loving his racing and while he will need some luck from midfield on the inside, watch for him late as the speed horses start to tire down the long Randwick straight. A deserved favourite that can win the Golden Rose too.
SKY COMMAND
3yo Brown filly | DEEP FIELD x LOVE COMMANDS
It’s easy to be impressed by the Deep Field filly from the Portelli yard and she hasn’t put a foot wrong in both starts to date winning by a combined margin of 4.5 lengths, dominating her races from the front with plenty left in hand. The owners have clearly had a fill-up backing her and there has been money again today, but a switch to a dry Randwick over 1,100 metres creates a slight risk for a filly that won’t have the chance to get away from her rivals on the turn this time. Her big stride and positive racing style could see her measure up, but I’m not backing her.
Click here to view the Rosebud Race Guide.