Scholtz's Say
Canterbury and Rosehill Previews with Chris Scholtz - 17th January 2026
Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Canterbury and Rosehill meetings on January 16/17 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
Best Bets
RACE 4: (9) MONOPOLISTIC
RACE 7: (9) STORMLAND
For Value
RACE 6: (3) WALLENDA
Selections
RACE 1: (6) READY FORCOCKTAILS; (5) Sphere; (3) Little Iris; (2) Flying Wahine
RACE 2: (4) EXTRA HEIGHTS; (7) Master Zous; (1) Extremely Perfect; (2) Yesnova
RACE 3: (10) THROTTLE RESPONSE; (7) Vasala; (3) Doradus; (4) Sunsource
RACE 4: (9) MONOPOLISTIC; (2) Namaste; (8) Emballee; (7) Cantarito
RACE 5: (2) RINGAROSA; (1) Slinky; (4) La Signora Dane; (7) Pretty Tavi
RACE 6: (3) WALLENDA; (4) Zulfiqar; (7) Sovereign Hill; (10) Remember Jack
RACE 7: (9) STORMLAND; (6) Oryx; (5) Formal; (10) Inazuma Boy
Best Bets
RACE 8 - (5) BAND OF BROTHERS: Has been in excellent form north of the border and his stable rarely make a mistake when they send one south to Sydney. Certain to roll forward and is well treated with the promising apprentice Jett Newman taking her 3kg claim.
RACE 10 - (7) CROSS TASMAN: No surprise about his short odds after two impressive Randwick Kensington wins since resuming as a gelding, confirming the potential he displayed in first prep as a colt last winter. He's shown he has no issue with affected ground and is sure to appreciate stepping up to 1500m on his home track after surging to an easy Boxing Day win over 1300m.
For Value
RACE 3: (10) APACHE BREEZE
RACE 7: (13) WAR RIBBON
Selections
RACE 1: (1) OUTSPAN; (4) Thyme To Go; (2) Written In Munny; (3) Zambales
RACE 2: (9) ROSE AYE; (17) Regal Problem; (1) Fingers Hunter; (8) Considered
RACE 3: (10) APACHE BREEZE; (3) Tequila Baby; (9) Let's Go Again; (2) Cryptonic
RACE 4: (6) ZUMBO; (2) Esmahli; (4) Lull; (5) Better Late
RACE 5: (3) IMPERIALIST; (1) Future History; (2) Unspoken; (4) Touristic
RACE 6: (5) ALABAMA FOX; (6) Editing; (9) Hurry Miss; (10) Callistemon
RACE 7: (13) WAR RIBBON; (6) Bella Montagna; (7) Bestower; (11) Placid Pearl
RACE 8: (5) BAND OF BROTHERS; (6) Just Party; (7) Step Aside; (4) Rhythm Of Love
RACE 9: (1) EYE OF THE FIRE; (7) Bev's Nine; (12) Exfortythree; (5) Power Of The Brave
RACE 10: (7) CROSS TASMAN; (1) Pippie Beach; (16) Hereward; (10) Pretty Powerful
NOTED TRIAL WATCH RUNNERS – January 16-17
CANTERBURY FRIDAY: Little Iris (R1)
GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Buckeye (R1); Zoufame (R1); Melenite (R1); Lady Moscato (R3); Wendell (R3); Bosustow (R9; Lavish Empire (R9); Roselyn's Star (R10)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Cyclone Jaz (R1); Zambales (R1); Written In Munny (R1); Annie's Rose (R3); Bev's Nine (R9)
GOSFORD SATURDAY: Stern Dispute (R1); You're The Choice (R1); Bondasong (R2); Olivia Twist (R6)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Ferinzo; Asilah; California Command; Gorgeous; Astronomix; Miss Freelove; Whinchat; Nandina; Eye Of The Fire; Countyourblessings; Need Some Luck; Knightbridge; Capture Me; By Choice; Mamushka; Levelling Up; Roma Green; Royal Exile; Generous Harry; Warwoven; Lumbini; Cinsault; Pretty Powerful; Royalify; Seven Days; Mareth; Airworthy
TRIAL POINTERS
WARWICK FARM January 9: The 2YO heats over 800m saw an excellent effort by CYCLONE JAX finishing an easy second in her trial (47.25; 33.91).
ROSEHILL January 2: The quickest of three 2YO heats over 900m was won by WRITTEN IN MUNNY (53.66; 34.16). A sharp heat win over 1030m in fast time (62.23; 34.42) by Zoustar gelding ZOUFAME has him ready to win a maiden when he resumes. He was beaten at short odds in his first start in a country maiden last season but this trial was all you could ask for from a maiden 3YO as he led easily before showing impressive acceleration to open up a big lead off the turn and coast home by almost six lengths.
RANDWICK December 30: Talented Shalaa 4YO ROSELYN'S STAR is ready to resume after an impressive win in the fastest 1050m heat (62.03; 33.67). Given a break after he won at Rosehill in October, he's now had two trials with his efficient work in this trial to travel sweetly in second under a hold before easily taking control at the 200m and running clear under no pressure a strong indicator to further success. From the open heats notable efforts included BOSUSTOW and BEV'S NINE while maidens to follow with confidence include BUCKEYE and MELANITE. I was not surprised that the robust Pintubo colt ZAMBALES improved off his first trial to win his 2YO heat over 1050m (63.61; 34.49) while the fast filly LADY MOSCATO won the quickest of the two juvenile heats over 740m (43.38; 33.00) to remain unbeaten in her trials.
ROSEHILL December 23: 2YOs to impress included the heat winner WENDELL.
RANDWICK December 18: Million dollar Home Affairs filly LADY MOSCATO showed good natural speed to win her 850m heat in slower time (50.60; 33.80) and is sure to benefit from the experience. In the fastest of the three 2YO heats over 850m (49.93; 33.70) the effort of ZAMBALES was worth noting.
HAWKESBURY December 15: The fast open heat over 800m (46.45; 32.77) had plenty of depth with the strong placing under a quiet ride by the talented ROSELYN'S STAR setting him up nicely for coming races.
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – January 16-17
CANTERBURY FRIDAY: Namaste (R4)
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Unspoken (R5); Touristic (R5); Changing Colours (R6); Editing (R6); Callistemon (R6); Bella Montagna (R7)
GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Scripted (R5); Scampi (R6); Tornado Valley (R7); Masvingo (R7); Mystical (R7); Memo (R8); Mayfair (R9)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Dark Simba (R4); Yes I Know (R4); Red Galaxy (R7); Falset Star (R10)
BLACKBOOKERS (Selected January 10 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
BELLO CAVALLO; BESIDE THE OCEAN; CONSCIENCE; MAYFAIR; NASHVILLE JACK; PARADISE CITY
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: 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; Inkaruna; North Of Eli; Harlem Queen; Grafterburners
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