The Selections

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday October 22, 2005

JOHN SCHELL AT ROSEHILL

1 Classy mare Star Folly has had three runs back from a long break and on the strength of a last-start, close-up second to Retail Therapy she is ready to strike winning form again. In January this year, Star Folly finished second in the Silk Stocking at the Gold Coast, and that sort of form is superior to what most of her rivals here are capable of. Doubloon should strip fitter for this after a first-up run at this track two weeks ago, while Imana has plenty of ability and has performed well in good-class races but struggles to win.

STAR FOLLY 1, Doubloon 2, Imana 3.

2 My Lady's Chamber, a daughter of Victoria Derby winner Arena, is debuting today and is a trial winner leading into this. In the stable of Bill Prain, My Lady's Chamber has drawn well in gate three which should give her every chance to show up. First-starter Attend, a stablemate of last Saturday's Randwick winner Turban, is another trial winner which warrants respect, with Woolwich Woman having the benefit of the rails alley and could figure.

MY LADY'S CHAMBER 1, Attend 2, Woolwich Woman 3.

3 Emerging star sprinter Fox Lake has an imposing record of five wins from seven starts and can add to that record here, despite having to contend with the outside gate. A last-start winner at Canberra, Fox Lake has the speed to overcome the bad barrier and is strong at the finish. Gator is fitter for a first-up second to stablemate Peel and is sure to be competitive, while Resistor has the talent to make an impression.

FOX LAKE 1, Gator 2, Resistor 3.

4 Consistent galloper Fluro Fever had no luck at all when flashing into third spot at this track two weeks ago, but if things go her way today, then she can atone with a well-deserved victory. Sky Right, which finished second when clashing with Fluro Fever a fortnight ago, will provide worthy opposition. Riverine improved on a first-start flop to score in maiden grade at Newcastle last time out and could be placed here today.

FLURO FEVER 1, Sky Right 2, Riverine 3.

5 Le Celibataire has had only three starts, in Queensland, and while he is resuming from a spell today, he has shown enough potential to indicate this event is well within his range. Le Celibataire has had two trials to fit him for this and he is in a good stable. Whistling Bob has caught the eye in recent runs and was a solid second to The Hammer at Canterbury last time out. Friday Creek, a last-start winner, also warrants thought. The well-bred Strada scored well on debut and is worth thought, as is first-starter Patronize, a half-brother to Exceed And Excel.

LE CELIBATAIRE 1, Whistling Bob 2, Friday Creek 3.

6 Le Bron is racing well and looms as the one to beat. Last time out, Le Bron had a tough run outside the lead and was run down only late by the promising Amianan. He should be able to take up a prominent position and prove hard to run down. Piculet scored well when resuming and can figure again, while Swarthy is capable of being placed.

LE BRON 1, Piculet 2, Swarthy 3.

7 October Son has won two from two since resuming and from the rails alley he will get every chance as he steps up in distance. Apprentice Kanichiro Fujii brings October Son's impost down to 55.5 kilograms, which is less than what he carried to win last time out, at Canterbury. Amianan, a half-brother to Desert War, is a strong galloper and on the way up, judging on his last-start win. Lutalo can be placed again.

OCTOBER SON 1, Amianan 2, Lutalo 3.

8 Bentley Biscuit is unbeaten from five starts and this race, although a rise in class, is at his mercy as well. He can take up a position near the lead and should win with ease. Mr Ubiquitous is a perennial place-getter, while the consistent Newton's Rings should be thereabouts.

BENTLEY BISCUIT 1, Mr Ubiquitous 2, Newton's Rings 3.

9 Bromide is at peak fitness now after three runs back from a spell, and gets his chance to win again, should dual-acceptor Fox Lake run in an earlier event. Abdication is a consistent performer which should be charging home. Our Apache is resuming but has a good record.

BROMIDE 1, Abdication 2, Our Apache 3.