Rosehill racing preview & best bets | WJ McKell Cup Day 2023
| What | WJ McKell Cup Day |
| Where | Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 |
| When | Saturday, June 17, 2023 |
| First Race | 11am AEST |
Rosehill Gardens Racecourse is the destination for metropolitan racing in NSW this weekend, providing punters with a massive 10-race program to dissect. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with perfect weather forecast in the coming days, we’re expecting a surface in pristine Good 4 condition. The first race is set to get underway at 11am AEST.
WJ McKell Cup Top Tip – Bois D’Argent
The WJ McKell Cup is the feature event on the Rosehill ticket and is a staying contest over 2000m. We’ve landed with the Annabel Neasham-trained Bois D’Argent on top who has been a model of consistency this campaign, and since arriving from Europe has continued to thrive in Australian conditions. He was rewarded for that consistency with a Listed victory last start at this course and distance in the Lord Mayors Cup on May 20, and we see no reason why this son of Toronado can’t go on with the job. It was a tough win, and he was cast wide throughout the journey but was still too good for his opposition, storming down the middle of the track to score. This time he draws gate six with Regan Bayliss on board again and should find the economical position throughout to make things a little easier compared to last time – particularly when forced to carry the top weight on Saturday. Bois D’Argent has only missed the frame once in his career and we expect that trend to continue here.
WJ McKell Cup
Race 7 – 
#2 Bois D’Argent (6)
6yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Regan Bayliss (58kg)
Best Bet at Rosehill – Tutta La Vita
Our best bet comes in the opening race of the card as Tutta La Vita will be looking for redemption after a torrid run last time out. She was a hard luck story behind stablemate Congregation at Rosehill on June 3 over the 1300m when trying to sneak rails runs that simply came too late. She would’ve clearly proved best had the breaks come her way, but unfortunately for favorite backers it just wasn’t meant to be. Now this daughter by The Autumn Son gets the benefit of an extra 100m to chase down her rivals and from barrier six shouldn’t be caught in traffic. Kerrin McEvoy takes the reins for the first time and provided he can find a position one-off the rail on Tutta La Vitta, this progressive two-year-old should be too good and chalk up a much-deserved maiden victory.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#3 Tutta La Vita (6)
2yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Kerrin McEvoy (56.5kg)
Next Best at Rosehill – Space Tracker
We were happy to be with Space Tracker on his Australian debut, and although he didn’t get the win, we were still impressed with what he produced after a long break. He was first-up after a 224-day spell at Rosehill on June 3 and never looked to shirk the task when chasing home Resonator to be beaten by less than half-length. It was a day that was clearly beneficial to horses ridden up on speed, and although Space Tracker was given every conceivable chance to get the win, we think it was a big contributing factor as to why he couldn’t get by the leaders. He’s got fitness in his legs with the race-day performance under his belt and with the 3kg claim courtesy of Jett Stanley getting him in well-weighted for BM78 company, we willing to give Space Tracker another chance to salute in the penultimate race of the afternoon.
Next Best
Race 9 – #4 Space Tracker (8)
4yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Jett Stanley (a3kg) (59kg)
Best Value at Rosehill – Asgoodassobergets
The fourth race on the program is over the 1800m and Asgoodassobergets seems like a terrific each-way prospect. He’s now third-up in the preparation, and after winning on resumption continued to race well, finding some stiff competition in BM84 company at Flemington on June 3. He ran into a very nice type in the form of Shaiyhar on that occasion and wasn’t disgraced when finishing three lengths away in fourth position. He makes his way back to the more suitable Sydney way of racing, and although he’s drawn a little awkwardly from barrier 11, we should be seeing the best version of this gelding by Dariyan. Amy McLucas will be looking to utilize her 3kg claim here to track across and find a prominent position throughout the journey, and if she can gain a soft enough run in transit, Asgoodassobergets should be powering through the line and hopefully securing his second win of the campaign.
Best Value
Race 4 – 
#1 Asgoodassobergets (11)
4yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Amy McLucas (a3kg) (62.5kg)
Rosehill quaddie tips for WJ McKell Cup Day
Rosehill quadrella selections
Saturday, June 17, 2023
- 2-4-12
- 3-4-5-9-14
- 1-3-4-10-13
- 1-6-9-12-13
Investment: $375 for 100%