Scholtz's Say
Canterbury and Rosehill Previews with Chris Scholtz: 30th January - 31st January 2026
Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Canterbury and Rosehill meetings on January 30 and 31 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook r
For Value
RACE 4: (8) JOHNNY
RACE 5: (8) DEALT
RACE 6: (10) IVAN'S HERO
Selections
RACE 1: (5) EQUINOX LEGEND; (4) Viva Mauricio; (1) Baja Baby; (6) Almanzas
RACE 2: (1) ALPHARD; (10) Scrumptious; (8) Impuriteze; (9) Military Legend
RACE 3: (6) ALBANY ROAD; (5) Ready To Shine; (4) Agarwood; (7) Raskol
RACE 4: (8) JOHNNY; (10) Watson; (6) Calga Power; (7) Extra Heights
RACE 5: (8) DEALT; (6) Marebello; (7) Emballee; (2) Doradus
RACE 6: (10) IVAN'S HERO; (1) Bat Out Of Hell; (6) Centenario; (3) Clyde
RACE 7: (4) HAPPY BELLIE; (11) She Moves Too; (2) Berezka; (7) Maybe Moet
Best Bets
RACE 3 (1) INCOGNITO: Has ruled as Golden Slipper favourite since he laid down an early benchmark with his impressive win in the G3 Breeders Plate (1000m) at Randwick in October, form that invariably carries through to the autumn. Two recent trials have confirmed his potential, winning the first at Rosehill before a classy placing against older G1 stars at Randwick. Short odd for his return but the smart play could be an early Golden Slipper investment.
RACE 6 – (10) AMPLIFY: Really impressed by the way this G2-placed mare ran over the top of subsequent winner Alabama Fox to win first-up over 1400m at Randwick in December in her first start since she was beaten only two lengths in the G1 Queensland Oaks last winter. Her sectionals were outstanding at Randwick and another big fresh performance is expected after impressive work in a recent trial. Note that she was a late entry for this race, suggesting the Maher stable saw an opportunity too good to ignore as she is in receipt of between 3 and 6kg from all her rivals.
RACE 8 - (5) DISNECK: Quality sprinter showed how much he appreciated dry track conditions when he resumed off a two months break to easily win the G3 Standish (1200m) down the straight at Flemington on January 10 when he peeled off the back the pace to add to his super record over 1200m. With favourable track conditions he can again finish over the top of this speed dominated field on a track where he has run some of his best races.
Selections
RACE 1: (13) HOLY HELL; (18) Regal Problem; (9) Like Lukey; (8) Warrior For Peace
RACE 2: (2) ALABAMA STATE; (3) Cryptonic; (13) Attractiveness; (9) Kyeema
RACE 3: (1) INCOGNITO; (4) Eviction Notice; (2) Defensemen; (7) Confederation
RACE 4: (9) MISS SCANDAL; (1) Pearl Of Dubai; (6) Chilly Girl; (2) Hardanger
RACE 5: (5) INTERJECTION; (7) Off The Press; (6) Hanau; (2) Yoshinobu
RACE 6: (10) AMPLIFY; (7) Cross Tasman; (8) Pippie Beach; (2) Kind Words
RACE 7: (3) EYE OF THE FIRE; (4) Roselyn's Star; (8) Iron Man; (9) Sixties
RACE 8: (5) DISNECK; (6) Enriched; (4) Willaidow; (7) Fire Star
RACE 9: (5) HARLOW MIST; (7) Willie Oppa; (12) Victor; (13) Mediaro
RACE 10: (6) SEQUISTA; (3) Eagle Express; (4) Stormland; (5) Shelstein
RACE 1 – (13) HOLY HELL: Going well under big weights. Rates highly under these conditions.
RACE 2 – (2) ALABAMA STATE: Has convictions but this is his to win. Can J Mac first time make the difference?
RACE 4 – (9) MISS SCANDAL: Chris Waller taking his time with this filly is a sure sign. Impressive trial form.
RACE 5 – (5) INTERJECTION: Too far back from wide gate last week. Fast pace here is the right set up for him.
RACE 7 – (3) EYE OF THE FIRE: Primed to peak third up. Right track and distance with benefit of an allowance.
RACE 9 – (5) HARLOW MIST: It all fell into place for her last time. Can repeat from her favourable gate.
RACE 10 – (6) SEQUISTA: Wasn't entitled to win at Wyong. Hard fit with plenty of depth in her form.
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – January 30-February 2
CANTERBURY FRIDAY: Ready To Shine (R3); Agarwood (R3)
NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Easiest Choice (R3); The Iron Star (R3); Prince Harrison (R4)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Eviction Notice (R3); Incognito (R3); Defensemen (R3); Confederation (R3); Pearl Of Dubai (R4); Miss Scandal (R4); Oregon Coast (R4); Chilly Girl (R4); Cool Art (R4); Amplify (R6); Sixties (R7); Enriched (R8); Meridiana (R8); Willaidow (R8); Signor Tortoni (R10)
NEWCASTLE BEAUMONT MONDAY: God Save The King (R2); Ivy Legend (R2)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: St Faith's; On One; Bryant; Harry's Evidence; Way To The Stars; Twisted Love; Just Maz; Rajwa; You're The Choice; Bondasong; Bev's Nine; Melenite; Little Iris; Ferinzo; Asilah; California Command; Gorgeous; Astronomix; Miss Freelove; Whinchat; Nandina; Eye Of The Fire; Countyourblessings; Need Some Luck; Knightsbridge; Capture Me; By Choice
WARWICK FARM January 22: Heavy conditions on the course proper for two black type trials over 900m. In Heat 2 there was genuine pace in much faster time than the first black type heat. WILLAIDOW cleared out with Oh Diamond Lil to lead by eight lengths on the turn. They kept running with WILLAIDOW holding an advantage to the line. Some smart heat winners on the inside grass where the soft track conditions were rated better than the course proper. In the four 2YO heats youngsters to take the eye with good work in their trials included PEARL OF DUBAI and DEFENSEMEN.
RANDWICK January 15: An early autumn preview with a galaxy of Group stars starting off their preps in three black type trials on the Kensington. Michael Freedman supplied the trifecta in the fastest of the three heats (51.18; 34.02) with ENRICHED – having a fitness edge in his second trial after a noted fresh trial win - getting the better of stablemate Manaal on the line. The classy 2YO INCOGNITO again impressed in his second trial with strong work to finish third against the older horses. The heats on the A Grass were also full of quality with numerous trials making an impression. EVICTION NOTICE was beaten narrowly in his 2YO heat over 740m (45.30; 34.59) but was under an iron grip from start to finish from Adam Hyeronimus and could have won the trial if asked for a serious effort. Travelled three deep outside the lead with the winner driving through underneath him to grab the win by a narrow margin. Started favourite in the Breeders Plate and should have a lot to offer when he reappears. In a deep open 740m heat (44.93; 34.22) the strong third by the talented MERIDIANA adds merit to the form. SIGNOR TORTONI disappointed when resuming but deserves another chance after posting the fastest 1050m heat win (62.95; 33.84) by an easy four lengths.
ROSEHILL January 13: A 2YO fillies heat over 900m was won in efficient style by CHILLY GIRL (55.28; 34.92) but other efforts also took the eye. They included the promising filly MISS SCANDAL who confirmed the promise she displayed in her first trial with another notable placing.
WARWICK FARM January 9: Some classy types contested an open heat over 800m with the promising G3 winner SIXTIES winning the trial in good style despite the slow time (48.91; 34.45). The 2YO heats over 800m saw a strong fourth by the imposing Wootton Bassett colt CONFEDERATION in the faster trial (47.24; 33.49). Good trials in the open heats by WILLAIDOW and PRINCE HARRISON.
NEWCASTLE January 8: The only 2YO trial over 800m saw a sharp debut win by the Portland Sky filly OREGON COAST. She tracked a line of three leaders and had no trouble picking them up with good work over the last 200m, running easily to the line for a soft win by 2.5 lengths (46.92; 33.68).
ROSEHILL January 2: Breeders Plate winner INCOGNITO could not have got his prep for the autumn off to a better start: It's a long way to the Golden Slipper but winning a 900m trial in early January indicates that this high class colt has done everything right since his impressive win in the Breeders Plate in October. His rider Tommy Berry allowed the unraced filly MISS SCANDAL – having her first trial - to run out to a clear lead in the first 200m, sticking to the fence in third before railing through off the turn easily take the lead. The filly showed she is above average to match it with the colt under a soft ride from James McDonald but Berry always had the advantage keeping INCOGNITO under a good hold in the run to the line. They finished well in advance of the others and would not be too concerned that the time (55.31; 34.63) was the slowest of the three 2YO heats. In the fastest 900m open heat (53.38; 33.60) the eye catcher behind was G2 winner ENRICHED working under a tight hold in his first trial since September.
RANDWICK December 30: From the open heats notable efforts included AGARWOOD having an easy off pace trial in her first appearance following her transfer to the O'Shea/Charlton stable.
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected January 24 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
BENGAL DIAMOND; DREAM LANTERN; GEEGEE'S MISTRUTH; GREEN FLY; HIGH ALERT; SALTY PEARL; THUNDERLIPS
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – January 31-February 1
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Falset Star (R5); Seafall (R9); Red Galaxy (R10)
EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Crash The Party (R7)
MURWILLUMBAH SUNDAY: Arctic Legend (R5)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Furious; Alibaba; Paradise City; Bella Montagna; Miss Busslinger; Spanish Treasure; Althoff; Onavuitton; She's Within; Cool Jakey; Somewhere; Mare Of Mt Buller; Saint George; Hedged; Willie Oppa; Rey Magnerio; Electric Impulse; Bella Corazon; Bestower; Ruska Roma; Aviatress; Dirty Grin; Brave Call; Brave One
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