With a fast tempo set by the likes of Doubtfilly and Your Song, there was plenty of opportunity for run-on type horses and Darley took full advantage.

Epaulette and stablemate Albrecht came wide on the track at a lightning pace to storm pass the field in secure the quinella for Peter Snowden ahead of the John O’Shea-trained Ashokan.

Snowden was over the moon with the result and is looking forward to taking on Pierro in the Caulfield Guineas with Epaulette.

“He’s a great colt,” Snowden said.

“That’s the joy of having two in the one race. Who wins, who cares?”

“He goes to the Caulfield Prelude in a fortnight and then to the Guineas and hopefully we can have a crack at Pierro at our best.”

Tommy Berry was on board Epaulette and it was a special day for the Sydney jockey who claimed his first Group 1 win.

“This is just unreal, to ride a Group 1 winner. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do,” Berry said.

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Golden Rose 2012 – Results

Albrecht has drawn barrier 10 of 10 for the 2012 Golden Rose.

Snowden will also saddle up the talented Epaulette for the race, however, has greater faith in Albrecht’s chances.

“He’s my pick of the two,” Snowden said.

“He’s really been aimed at this race. It’s just unfortunate he’s drawn a bad gate.

“Luck in running will play a big part for him.”

The Redoute’s Choice colt has won two of his three race starts and has earned more than $100,000 in prize money during his horse racing career.

Owned by Sheikh Mohammed, the three-year-old’s most recent win came in the Group 3 Up & Coming Stakes at Warwick Racecourse on August 25, 2012.

Snowden feels that the Up & Coming Stakes win was not a one off and wouldn’t be surprised if Alrecht replicated the performance in tomorrow’s 2012 Golden Rose.

“I think he’s right up to this,” he said.

“There was no fluke about his win the other day.

“He was very dominant and he’s done very well since.”

Albrecht’s only defeat came when third in the $85,000 Inglis Bonus Handicap for three-year-olds on August 4 at Canterbury racecourse.

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The race, which will be run at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse this Saturday September 15, 2012, will be worth $1 million in prize money.

Trainer Anthony Cummings experienced mixed success in the 2012 Golden Rose barrier draw.

Ninth Legion drew well in barrier five, while Your Song drew wide in gate nine.

The Fastnet Rock colt finished second in the Group 3 The Run To The Rose behind Pierro last start from barrier one.

Cummings feels winning the 2012 Golden Rose will be a hard task for Your Song now that he has draw so wide in the race.

“It’s always a challenge for a horse like Your Song who also races there abouts in the speed,” Cummings said.

“He can’t come out halfhearted from that barrier… and it’s going to make his task a little tougher.

Jockey Hugh Bowman will ride Ninth Legion in the 2012 Golden Rose.

Bowman will be looking to post his fourth win in the Golden Rose’s 10-year history.

Ninth Legion has finished fourth in both the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes and Group 3 The Run To The Rose this spring.

“It’s not a bad barrier,” Bowman said.

“I’ll be able to settle a bit close than I did (when finishing fourth) in The Run To The Rose the other day.

“It’s been a good race to me and it’s been a good race for Sydney racing too because it’s really produced some champion three-year-olds.”

All Too Hard will not feature in the 2012 Golden Rose after his camp decided to reserve him for the Group 1 George Main Stakes at Randwick racecourse on September 22, 2012.

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 2012 Golden Rose Final Field & Barrier Draw

13 three-year-olds have been nominated for the 2012 Golden Rose, which has a field limit of 17 horses.

Worth $1 million in prize money, the 2012 Golden Rose is one of the premium opportunities for three-year-olds to race against their own age during the spring.

Included in the 2012 Golden Rose nominations is All Too Hard, who will be looking to win his first start of the spring racing carnival in the race.

All Too Hard finished third in his first-up start in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes, before placing a disappointing fifth of six runner in the Group 3 The Run To The Rose on September 1.

The Casino Price colt, who is the half-brother of Black Caviar, has won three of his six race starts and has earned more than $430,000 in prize money during his short career.

Kabayan is also one of the 13 horses nominated for a run in the 2012 Golden Rose.

The Haradsun gelding finished a close second behind Lady Of Harrods in the Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes last start.

Kabayan, who is trained at Royal Randwick Racecourse by Gai Waterhouse, has won one of his four race starts and has earned more than $150,000 in prize money.

The three-year-old has never finished outside the top two in his horse racing career, with his best result being a close second in the Group 1 The TJ Smith at Eagle Farm in June.

Amorino, Doubtfilly, Dear Demi and Epaulette are also included in the 2012 Golden Rose nominations.

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2012 Golden Rose Nominations

The three-year-old filly will be resuming in the Listed Quezette Stakes at Caulfield racecourse tomorrow in preparation for the 2012 Golden Rose in a month’s time.

Trainer Mick Price has expressed his desire to chase the $1 million prize money and run Samaready in the 2012 Golden Rose.

“I just about have to run in it,” Price said.

“A million dollars against her own age … it’s a must.

“We’re looking at the Golden Rose, but we want to still be around for the Thousand Guineas.”

Samaready has already won big when claiming victory in the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes in February.

The More Than Ready filly has won four of her five race starts and has earned more than $1.2 million in prize money.

Samaready finished third behind Pierro and Snitzerland in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper last start.

One of the premier races of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, the $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) this year attracted 177 first acceptances, the depth of contenders the best in many years.

“We’re very happy with the nominations and we would hope to see more fillies set for the race this year,” Matt Rudolph from the Australian Turf Club (ATC) said.

“Last year was a high-quality race but purely colts and geldings.

“We’ve got some high-class fillies this year including Samaready and Snitzerland who both placed in the Slipper.”

The Mick Price-trained More Than Ready filly Samaready won her opening four career starts including the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) before she met up with the Gai Waterhouse-trained champion Pierro only to run third to him in the world’s richest juvenile’s race, the $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 7.

Price plans to use the Golden Rose 2012 as a guide to whether Samaready will be stepped up to a mile this prep as he eyes races like the $500,000 Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 17, or the $500,000 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight on Victoria Derby Day, Saturday November 3 during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“Will she run out a mile or will she be just a sprinter? I suppose we’ll get the answer when she steps up to 1400 (metres) for the first time in the Golden Rose and I’ll be guided by that,” Price said.

Snitzerland meanwhile is a smart daughter of Snitzel from Gerald Ryan’s Rosehill stables who ran a brave second in the Golden Slipper beaten under half a length.

Heading the hopefuls that will be vying for a spot in the Golden Rose final field this year however is Golden Slipper winner Pierro, one of 16 early entries for the prolific Tulloch Lodge.

Winner of the autumn two-year-olds’ triple crown the ace Lonhro colt too out the Golden Slipper – ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes and the Champagne Stake in April and has now won all six of their career starts for close to $3 million in prize money.

They will be looking to add to that this coming spring with their next Group 1 assignment being the Golden Rose, Pierro sure to dominate the Golden Rose odds at bookmaker.com.au once released.

Other big names in Waterhouse’s 2012 Golden Rose contingent include Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Driefontein and Blue Diamond Stakes runner-up No Looking Back.

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In addition to that the other two runners won their respective events so in a small field with great form lines it has the makings of a really good one for punters.

The part that gets tricky though is that this race is so early in the spring, some horses have had more runs than others and there’s a fair bit of guesswork involved in deciding how much fitness a horse may have taken out of its previous start.

Plenty comes down to the ability of the trainer and their record in having horses up to a winning standard early in the preparation.

With that being said take a look at the 2011 Golden Rose form guide below and see if you can spot the winner in what’s promising to be a fantastic event.

2011 Golden Rose Form Guide

Helmet

He has two Group 1 wins to all the other horses zero so that alone tells you have much ability he’s packing. He was beaten fair and square last start in the Run To The Rose but he was less than half a length off Smart Missile with some promising signs. Firstly his agro antics down the straight appear to have disappeared and it was a far more controlled and calm run. Secondly he could almost instantly pick up half a length with the addition of blinkers, let alone the fitness he’s likely to have gained. There’s been plenty of support around for Helmet and with good reason, he’s won four from five starts and has never looked like losing a Group 1.

Smart Missile

He’s never lost a race so far in his career but at the same time he’s never raced at Group 1 level. That being said the field he faces this weekend is effectively no better than what he’s beaten in the past remembering he’s the only horse to ever defeat Sepoy. He only just got home as an odds on favourite last start but the fact is he did and the way it was done was incredible. He’ll improve form that you’d think however he’s never had the two starts in the one prep. This horse is probably deserving of a Group 1 win but he’ll need to work harder than his odds on quote suggests.

Foxwedge

Don’t be too quick to write off this horse even though he was reeled in last start and has now fallen to Smart Missile three times. He came so close to pulling off the upset and in the small field on Saturday he may well come up with the plum run form barrier one. John O’Shea says he’ll improve just as much as the other colts and if he does once again it’ll come down to the final 200m. He’s had support in early markets and with good reason for a horse that never runs a bad race.

Manawanui

One of the horses which didn’t come through the Run To The Rose, Manawanui could be the horse to upset the apple cart. He won the Up and Coming Stakes at Warwick Farm against a field with ability in the ranks. The second horse across the line that day was Queenian, a colt that doesn’t have the most amazing winning record but has never run a bad race. Manawanui managed to put over four lengths on him that day and it makes him a real contender this weekend.

Aeronautical

Another last start winner and one who managed to do so in impressive style. He’s won his last two in fact, but it was the Rosebud victory which really signalled his arrival. Sure the field wasn’t of this calibre but after getting back as far as he did it’d take the best form any racehorse. Not only did he win the event  he put three and a half lengths on them in the process. The question here is a four week layoff since that start however trainer Lionel Cohen ensures us he’ll be in great shape come Saturday.

Flight Of Pegasus

He’s the roughie of the field and deservedly so when you take a look at the stats. After winning on debut he’s the only one to not win again and he’s been easily accounted for by a few of these horses already. His last race was the Run To The Rose and he finished in fifth spot nearly six lengths off the winner. Trainer Scott Aspery says he’s not making up the numbers and he can win the race but it would be arguably the upset of the year.

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Smart Missile remains the favourite but the money that has come has been for Foxwedge at bigger odds with the big betters still wary of how short the colt is out front.

While for many it may be disappointing to see such a small field of horses the fact is that all of the big guns will be on show come this weekend.

The exception to that is probably from the fillies ranks with none of the top performing girls to be stepped up against the boys.

It’s probably not a surprising move either given just how dominant a number of these colts and geldings have been in their last few runs.

In fact the field of six has three last start winners and two that were less than a length off the pace.

With respect to Flight Of Pegasus, it’s the other five that will be receiving the bulk of the attention and the reality is that any one of them has the ability to win the race.

The question that hangs of their heads though is that of the tempo, just which horse will go forward and will there be any pace in the early stages?

While later in the week we’ll bring you full Golden Rose form guides as well as our tips and betting updates, first things first we need to find a leader in a field full of back markers.

2011 Golden Rose Field

Barrier 1: Foxwedge

He’s a horse that likes to be just off the pace but not one which likes to take up the early running. That said he’s never really had to either so from barrier one he’s a chance to set the speed, although once again he could well settle in the prime position. (Likely settle: one back on the fence)

Barrier 2: Flight Of Pegasus

This is another horse that likes to run with off a decent tempo but connections have to realise he can’t sprint in this class. Because of that expect him to be a little bit more handy, especially from his inside gate. (Likely settle: one wide on the pace)

Barrier 3: Manawanui

Another relying on a blinding late burst and one which likes to be brought into it. Where he settles is likely to be determined by Flight Of Pegasus on his inside and whether they go forward or not. If they do he’ll cover up Foxwedge one back with cover, if not he could find himself facing the breeze in second spot. (Likely settle: one out, one back)

Barrier 4: Helmet

Peter Snowden adds blinkers to him for the first time this weekend and as a result he’s the one likely to push forward. Expect him to get a pretty easy time of it getting to the front and how much he has to work from there will determine his chances. (Likely settle: leader)

Barrier 5: Smart Missile

Cummings said ideally he’d be tracking Helmet the whole way but in reality he may find himself back a little more than that. If Flight Of Pegasus goes forward he might get a spot behind Foxwedge on the fence, if not he could be one wide covering Manawanui. (Likely settle, back on the fence)

Barrier 6: Aeronautical

Cohen said he could go forwards if required but form gate six he’ll probably be content to just drop to the back. Whether he’s one wide with cover or trailing them all will be determined by the pace and a few moves inside him. Regardless of the tempo he’ll be happy there for at least the first 600m, speed of the race to dictate when he makes his move. (Likely settle: one wide at the back)

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In a blinking of an eye though Smart Missile loomed up on his outside and blew past him in one of the best runs many punters say they’ve ever seen.

In the process he not only took the Run To The Rose title, he also stole all the momentum leading into the Golden rose as well.

That said though the trainer of Foxwedge John O’Shea says his colt will be far from a stepping stone when they next meet at Rosehill Gardens.

Despite having already had the one run in his campaign O’Shea is more than confident his horse will take plenty out of the Run To The Rose in terms of fitness.

“I tried to make this comment during the week,” O’Shea said.

“Everyone kept saying going into the race (Run To The Rose) that Foxwedge had the fitness edge but I don’t agree with that.

“My bloke sat in a box for seven days last week (after the San Domenico) while it was raining, the favourite was galloping on the course proper on the Sunday.”

Now though he’s had two solid hit outs and the weather looks like giving him a perfect run into the Golden Rose as well.

“I’ll tell you he’ll improve dramatically off the run,” O’Shea said.

“I love going into Group Ones third-up.”

“We wouldn’t swap our bloke, congratulations to the winner (Smart Missile), they’ve got a talented racehorse and they deserve all the accolades they are going to get.

“But don’t worry, we’re happy with our fellow and we’re going to go into the race (Golden Rose) thinking we can win.

“We’ll go on to a fortnight and my bloke will be third-up, coming to a peak and we’re really happy to be putting a saddle on his back.”

It’s unlikely O’Shea will win too many over from the Smart Missile camp though, the hype surrounding the horse is huge and he has the runs on the board to back it up.

“When he got sight of the bunny it was almost arrogant the way he came up to the other horse,” jockey Glen Boss said.

“Gee he is an exciting horse, I just don’t know what he ran his last split in – it was Usain Bolt.”

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They won every two year old Group 1 of last season and their top chargers have lost absolutely nothing since returning as three year olds.

They’ve pinpointed the three year old series across the spring carnival as their main priority and given that nothing came close to them as juveniles it’s hard to see much changing in the short break between seasons.

Of course there is one group that would like to change all that and that’s arch rivals Patinack Farm.

They were bitterly disappointed with their two year old results last season and they’ve invested a lot of time in trying to close the gap.

One area they simply can’t make up ground in though is the size of their team.

While Darley are so strong they can even afford to leave Sepoy out of their Golden Rose squad, the same can’t be said for Patinack Farm.

They are struggling to simply muster a realistic chance, in fact when final acceptances are made they’ll have only the one runner in the Golden Rose field.

Boys On Tour will be the horse carrying Tinkler’s flag with their other leading three year old Pane In The Glass to be left for the princess series.

“Boys On Tour has always been our number one pick for the Golden Rose,” Patinack Farm racing manager Robyn Hartney said.

It’s a lot of pressure on a horse that was purely outclass as a two year old and he needs to find a mountain of ground to come back at a competitive Group 1 standard.

He ran first up in the San Domenico Stakes and he showed he still wasn’t quite there finishing around three lengths off the winner Foxwedge.

That being said he was picking up ground late so there’s a bit of hope he’ll be suited to the race conditions in the Golden Rose.

Christian Reith thinks so, the leading Sydney jockey has chosen to stick on him for the million dollar race which in itself is a big endorsement.

“Christian actually rang and asked if he could keep the ride on him because he was that impressed with the way he raced,” Hartney said.

As a two year old Boys On Tour couldn’t match it with the top guns after winning a maiden at Newcastle, however he did run second in the Pago Pago Stakes.

“His first preparation was pretty arduous and we thought he did a fantastic job,” Hartney said.

“Everyone at Randwick is saying he has improved a lot and how much more mentally switched on he is this preparation.

“All the signs are there that he is going to be competitive on Saturday.”

Boys On Tour’s lead up to the Golden Rose will continue this weekend when he contest the Run To The Rose.

He’ll get a good taste of the standard he needs to beat as well with Darley’s Golden Rose pick Helmet having his first up start.

Also in the mix is the flashy Anise and Magic Millions Champion Karuta Queen.

The early favourite though belongs to Anthony Cummings who  saddles up Smart Missile for his first start since being controversially scratched at the stalls of the Golden Slipper.

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One big advantage he has is the fact he’s all but certain to start in the race with plenty above him not even being targeted towards it.

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