The Listed January Cup is the highlight for Saturday's Rosehill Gardens metropolitan meeting. There will be 10 races to be run at Rosehill, with the action kicking off at 12:35pm (AEDT), while the January Cup jumps at 2:55pm (AEDT) as Future History tries to make it a hat-trick of wins. The rail is in the true position and there is rain expected on both Friday and Saturday, so factor that into the form.
Trent Orwin has done the form to bring you his thoughts and tips for Saturday at Rosehill. Help support our FREE content by signing up to a new Australian sportsbook, and if you’re after more free tips for this weekend’s key meetings, then head over to our Racing Tips page!
Rosehill Gardens Racing Tips: Saturday, January 17th 2026
Race 4: Chandon Handicap 1100m – 2:20pm (AEDT)
(2) Esmahli is a talented three-year-old colt for Team Hayes, winning two of his first three starts. He won a Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1200m at Mornington last month and looks ready to take the jump up in grade. Jack Callan has picked up the ride, and the 1.5kg claim takes Esmahli down to 56kg for the race. Callan is the son of Irish jockey Neil and will be keen to land another Australian winner.
(3) Stormland was narrowly beaten last time over 1000m and will look to go one better this time around. A winner of one race from five starts, Stormland was thrown into the deep end at only his second career start, failing to beat a runner home in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m). He looks like he will try and work his way through the grades in the traditional sense.
(6) Zumbo won her first two career starts before finishing second and then being turned out. She resumed with a ninth in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) as one of the outsiders of the field. This is more suitable company for her and carrying 53kg will be beneficial. Should run a good race.
(2) Esmahli WIN
$4.40 (1.5 Units)
Race 5: Yulong January Cup 2000m – 2:55pm (AEDT)
(2) Unspoken is racing well for trainer Peter Snowden and deserves to break through for a victory this prep, where he has raced four times for one minor placing which came last start in the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m). He finished 2.64 lengths behind Tavi Time after racing back in the field. Should be further forward in today’s event and with Chad Schofield aboard, the son of Territories will run a big race.
(1) Future History has put together consecutive victories in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) and Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m). Interesting choice of race as he drops back 800m for this contest and will lump 61kg – although to be fair, he did carry 60kg in the Bagot.
(3) Imperialist also comes out of the Summer Cup, finishing almost side-by-side with Unspoken, although the other horse came from behind and gradually ran past. May be 0.5kg worse off based on the probable weight in the form guide too.
(2) Unspoken WIN
$3.20 (2 Units)
Race 8: Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap 1300m – 4:40pm (AEDT)
(5) Band Of Brothers was a winner three starts ago at the Sunshine Coast in a Benchmark 85 Handicap over 1400m. The four-year-old Matthew Dunn gelding then finished runner up in a 3YO & 4YO weight-for-age event called The Ladbrokes Gateway (1400m). At his latest, he was third in a Benchmark 90 Handicap over 1400m. From the inside gate, Jett Newman, with the 3kg claim, can opt to try and punch through to lead or take a sit with some speed outside. Looks hardest to beat here.
(4) Rhythm Of Love hasn’t raced since April 2025, but has had a pair of barrier trials, including a win over stayer Cormac T. Nash Rawiller returns to the saddle and they combined in 2024 to win at the Kensington circuit. Could run a cheeky race first-up from a spell.
(6) Just Party continues to race around the mark with two placings from his last three starts. He has form around Mare Of Mt Buller who has since finished second in the $500,000 Lakes Mile (1600m). That’s good enough form to go close here.
(5) Band Of Brothers WIN
$2.90 (2 Units)
