Australia: Jacquinot seeks first Grade 1 in Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill Gardens

A five-month layoff was no hindrance for the Australian colt Jacquinot last month.

Jacquinot was sixth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes for 2-year-olds in March and won the first start of his comeback in the Group 3 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne on Aug. 27. He closed from ninth of 13 to win the stakes at six furlongs.

The win has put Jacquinot in contention for his first Group 1 win in the Golden Rose Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney on Friday.

Jacquinot faces stiff competition on Friday. The upstart filly In Secret, who has won 3 of 4 starts, will be favored, while Golden Mile, a winner of 2 of 3 starts, also has attractive form in a field of 17.

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The race has such depth that Fireburn, the upset winner of the $3.69 million Golden Slipper Stakes, is an 8-1 chance.

Jacquinot, trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent, Jr., has won 2 of 5 starts. She was third in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at six furlongs at Caulfield in February.

Jacquinot will need a favorable trip from off the pace to win the Golden Rose.

In Secret has a similar closing style. Trained by James Cummings, In Secret will have her Group 1 debut in the Golden Rose.

One of four fillies in the Golden Rose field, In Secret was second by 1 1/4 lengths as the 2-1 favorite in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes at six furlongs at Caulfield on Aug. 20, and won her first race at that level in the Group 2 Run to Rose Stakes at six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on Sept. 10.

The Golden Rose Stakes will be her first race at seven furlongs.

Rosehill Gardens has a 10-race program beginning at 9:55 p.m. Eastern or 6:55 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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