3 minute read
Chris Scholtz previews the Gold Coast and Rosehill meetings on January 8 with best bets and selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
GOLD COAST January 8
Best Bet
RACE 2: (2) Sir Rocket
For Value
RACE 4: (2) Perfect Mission
RACE 7: (3) Love Tap
RACE 8: (4) Neidorp
RACE 9: (15) Cracker Essgee
Selections
RACE 1: 3-9-1-2
RACE 2: 2-3-1-5
RACE 3: 3-8-1-9
RACE 4: 2-4-1-6
RACE 5: 2-6-3-4
RACE 6: 5-6-3-10
RACE 7: 3-4-1-12
RACE 8: 4-3-10-6
RACE 9: 15-14-7-6
ROSEHILL January 8
Best Bets
RACE 9: (2) ZEGALO: Good wet tracker gets his chance after luckless placings at his last two starts at Randwick. Meets his fancied stablemate Niffler on the same weight terms after the claim for Tyler Schiller who should take plenty from his las start ride on the gelding.
RACE 10 (5) TYCOONIST: J Mac sticks with the right horse to end what shapes as a big day for the Waller stable. This talented gelding continues to build a remarkably consistent record, resuming with an unlucky nose second over 1100m at this course before recording a strong 1200m win in this class at Randwick where he had no problems overcoming a tough run from a wide draw. He's now been placed in eight of his last nine starts, he's good in the wet and while he rises 2.5kg off his last win I'm sure he holds more scope for improvement.
For Value
RACE 1: (12) DANZADEL: Good Highway class performer with strong soft and heavy form. Expect bold showing first-up
RACE 6 (6) ASTERO: Set to improve sharply second up after resuming with a solid fourth over 1100m at Warwick Farm behind the topweight Rule Of Law. Meets that horse 4kg better after the claim for Tyler Schiller with the barrier draw also favouring him in a race where the speed will make it tough for those drawn wide. He's excellent value in this field as he boasts strong form on affected tracks – he's 3:2-1 in the heavy - and should be ridden to have the last run at them.
RACE 8 (4) ORDER AGAIN: Just one of many confusing races on this card due to multiple runners from the Waller stable. Despite the Waller conundrum I am reading plenty into the return of James McDonald as the rider of this headstrong gelding as he is one of the best wet track runners at this meeting (8:3-2) and is sure to appreciate the return to his home course after his recent luckless starts in the Villiers Stakes (1600m) and Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick. He's had the right prep for this race and will be hard to beat in the favourable soft conditions.
Selections
RACE 1: 12-7-4-11
RACE 2: 3-7-5-2
RACE 3: 3-9-2-7
RACE 4: 11-5-1-3
RACE 5: 4-6-8-5
RACE 6: 6-1-3-13
RACE 7: 6-3-2-8
RACE 8: 4-3-2-14
RACE 9: 2-6-12-5
RACE 10: 5-1-4-11
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: And We Danced (R3); Wairere Falls (R5); Yiyi (R5); Opacity (R5)
WYONG SATURDAY: Fielding (R3); Kung Fu Muchu (R7); Lucilight (R7)
NOWRA SUNDAY: Art Of Excellence (R5)
NEWCASTLE MONDAY: Field Wiri (R6)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Broken Arrows; Stick To Your Guns; Moonshine Lady; Nikohli Beagle; Flucuate; Divine Future; Shadow Devil; Roheryn; Coolangatta; Russian Conquest; Sherringford; Don't Doubt Katie; The Bopper; Elzamee; Written Doubt; Embeller; Starboreta; Nasturtium; Rise Of The Masses.
TRIAL POINTERS
WYONG December 20: FIELDING, an unraced Deep Field 3YO, looks to have a future after a strong maiden heat win over 845m (49.35; 34.54).
ROSEHILL December 14: AND WE DANCED, a new addition to the Waller stable from NZ, was never put under pressure but there was a lot of quality in the way she closed late for an impressive third in a strong 900m heat (55.07; 34.49). Keen to follow her progress although she didn't make the same impression in her second trial at Warwick Farm on December 30.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – January 7/8
ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Saigon (R3); Attorney (R8); Zegalo (R9); Casino Kid (R9); Sacred Command (R9)
GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Glitter Strip (R9)
CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Sig Positano (R7); Vespertine (R9)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Mass Destruction; Dzsenifer; Coventina Bay; Five Kingdom; El Padrino; Totally Charmed; Brookspire; Bacchanalia; Our Heidi; Born A King; Mr Cancun; Ligulate; Spirit Of Gaylard; Superstorm; Vianello; Minhaaj; I'm Thunderstruck; Elusive Express.
Blackbookers – Selected January 1
(Follow for next 3 starts)
DESERT ICON: Import ready to show his best.
KEY LARGO: No luck. Ready to win.
NUDGE: Good mare back in form.
SOXAGON: Strong efforts since resuming.
SQUID GAME: Prefer over 1200m-1400m.
TOOMUCHTOBEAR: Stay with him. Needs 2000m.
