Early favourite Semana sweating on start in capacity Winter Challenge field

Well-backed early favourite Semana is sweating on a start in Saturday's $160,000 Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) after Sydney's final feature race of the season drew a capacity field at Rosehill Gardens.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper has been the subject of an early betting move, shortening $6 into $4.20 favouritism with TAB since markets opened but is the first of five emergencies.

Semana was a last-start winner of the Rosehill 1400m and could provide apprentice Dylan Gibbons with another import chance to add to his apprentice premiership tally as he looks to fight off title rival Zac Lloyd.

Lloyd is assured of a ride on leading chance Barbie's Fox ($5.50) with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Resonator drifting $4 out to $4.40.

Chris Waller has accepted with five runners for the Winter Challenge, including last-start Brazilian Group 1 winner Iene Fortune ($41).

Iene Fortune was last seen winning the Group 1 Gran Premio Jockey Club de Sao Paulo at Cidade Jardim Racecourse in Brazil on October 9, 2021.

Waller also has Polly Grey ($51), Bonny Ezra ($16), Longvillers ($7.50) and Brookspire ($15).

Kris Lees' Acquitted ($7.50), Annabel Neasham's Sibaaq ($10) and the Nathan Doyle-trained Norwegian Bliss ($13) add further weight to the stakes field.

The Winter Challenge program is bolstered by the running of the July Sprint, where last-start winner Omni Man ($2.70) will attempt to make it two victories in seven days.