3 minute read
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Gosford meeting. Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 - 2:00PM EARTHLIGHT @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
12. Dark Energy is worth a look each-way at odds first-up on the back of two very promising trial efforts. While he's not yet put it together on race day in four starts so far he's shown glimpses and if the trials are any indication he should run well.
Dangers: 1. Kooled started favourite in a Group 2 race before a spell so it's no surprise he's short in the market. Just missed on debut on a heavy track and has won a Rosehill trial leading in. Gate one and James McDonald to ride gives him every chance to break through. 8. California Surreal had support when resuming at Kensington and made some ground without threatening to be beaten a length and a half. Fitter and expect her to show improvement, if she does that puts her in the finish. 2. Dufresne struck a heavy track on debut at Kensington two weeks ago and boxed on nicely to run second. She is back 100m and onto a good track but from another handy draw she has to be included.
How to play it: Dark Energy E/W ($13 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 - 2:35PM XXXX HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
7. Shibli loomed up when resuming at Kensington two weeks ago on a heavy track and just peaked on the run, though wouldn't have troubled the winner. Plenty of pluses here with a dry track, the mile and a truly run race. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 1. Margie Bee probably overdid it at Randwick last start and had nothing left for the finish. Previous form was outstanding at this sort of level and coming back to a mile around this track suits her style. She should give a good sight. Read trainer Kristen Buchanan's comments here. 2. New Tycoon isn't far off a win with a couple of game seconds on end in August. Trained here and will race somewhere near the speed. Sure to run well again. 4. Canyonero has struck some consistency with a win at Kensington then a closing third in a Midway at Randwick. Gosford might not be his best track but if he's in touch on the turn he can run into the finish.
How to play it: Shibli WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 3 - 3:10PM PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1900 METRES)
5. Unamerican is up in class but has struck a winnable race. Enjoyed a nice run behind the speed here last time and was too strong late. Enough speed here on paper for him to be effective coming back 200m and is a good chance.
Dangers: 3. Kuzco Lad did a good job up to this grade when third at Kensington after drawing wide three weeks ago and imagine he'll be in a similar spot again. Is one of the chances again. 1. Mayfair Spirit made some ground at Kembla second-up in Australia but was never a winning chance. Has been back to the trials since then and drops in grade so improvement wouldn't surprise. 4. Austrata seemed to have his chance at Kembla on a soft 7 but a firmer surface will likely be a plus. Placed behind a smart one prior to that and can't leave out.
How to play it: Unamerican E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 4 - 3:45PM 1ST CROP CALYX FOALS HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
3. Pippali had little more than a barrier trial when resuming at Kensington as she was strung up for runs until it was far too late. Stays at a short course but a good track suits and given the support she had first-up she's worth following.
Dangers: 2. Fifteen Aria is unbeaten first-up and is a big market watch. Both of those wins were over further than 1200m and one on a soft 7. Two trials have been sound and has James McDonald rides. Commands respect. 8. Mascherata was an impressive maiden winner first-up at Scone then onto a heavy track last time she wasn't as effective though not disgraced. Wouldn't surprise if she springs back here. 7. Lovemetender led all the way for a maiden win first-up at Kensington beating a handy filly then couldn't get near the lead in the Silver Shadow. Expect if she can go forward here she can improve sharply.
How to play it: Pippali WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 - 4:20PM VINERY HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
2. Ocean Emperor can mix form but he likes a good track and he's very effective first-up. Only defeat when fresh was last prep was a second to Lost And Running. Trialled quite nicely last week, he's an on pacer and can expected to be a force.
Dangers: 7. Park Avenue impressed winning his first two starts then tried hard behind Verne and In The Congo back in June. Both trials back have been sound, he was tested a little in the latest, and he'll get his chance to fire fresh. 11. Tristate has promised a bit and delivered a first-up maiden win with a strong on pace performance at Kensington on a heavy track. Has the draw to be handy again and could be up to the class rise. 1. Zoushack has some handy Victorian form and is now with Joe Pride. He trialled in the same heat as Ocean Emperor and any support would be significant.
How to play it: Ocean Emperor WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 - 4:55PM TAB HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
6. Loch Lomond came a long way in his first campaign winning his first two starts here before a third in a Provincial Championships Qualifier and a midfield finish in the final. Not seen in a trial for a month but he chased home Great News in that heat. Expect him to run well fresh.
Dangers: 5. Son Of Sampson hasn't missed a place all preparation and endured a tough run when racing wide and still scoring a strong win at Newcastle on August 21. Earned a shot at this sort of level and is hard to leave out. 8. Waihaha Falls scored an impressive debut win on a heavy track in March then not really ever a factor back on top of the ground at Hawkesbury before a spell. He's trialled like a horse set to run well fresh and we'll find out his good track prowess here. 13. Yulong Turbo started $7.50 in a Group 3 first-up for Chris Waller and dropped right out after racing handy. He did trial pleasingly before that so down in class is probably entitled to another chance.
How to play it: Loch Lomond E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
