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 - 1:25PM 1ST CROP YES YES YES FOALS HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
3. Arthur Francis reacted well to being gelded with a smart first-up win at Wyong in a race where the form since has been solid. Up in class but his two starts at two were in very strong company and he didn't disgrace while still a colt. Go well.
Dangers: 1. Park Avenue started favourite first-up and seemed to have his chance as he was nailed for second near the line. Fitter for that, though, and drawn to get a perfect run just off them. Can improve. 2. Starman looked good winning on debut then over a month between runs and held his ground okay up to Saturday company. Back a notch here and well worth another chance. 9. Hoover Lucy disappointed in the same race after enjoying a nice run. Better than that as her Listed placing before a spell shows.
How to play it: Arthur Francis E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 2 - 2:00PM XXXX HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
3. Majella did have every chance when runner-up at Kensington last time but this race does look to set up well for her if she can land in her usual spot third or fourth. Good speed engaged, she's racing well and should be hard to beat.
Dangers: 6. Sunborn has found her best form this prep with a couple of Hawkesbury wins either side of a top effort when third in town. Gate one will give her a soft run and every chance to take the next step up. 2. Margie Bee is a bold front runner who should lead this field and could string them out. Was a month between runs when placed over this course two weeks ago. At her best with the sting out but still a contender. 5. Fifteen Aria jumps straight to a mile after a fair first-up effort here over 1200m. That was her first loss when fresh and she's yet to place second-up but should be fitter.
How to play it: Majella WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 - 2:35PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1900 METRES)
6. Solar Apex looks the good thing of the day if he can run up to his impressive win first-up over the mile two weeks ago. Had the right run but was dominant and can only be better for it. Hard to go past.
Dangers: 1. Unamerican made it two from two at this track when he toughed it out to win over 1900m two weeks back. Up the 2kg for the win but stays in the same grade and while in top form has to be considered. 2. Kuzco Lad is 1.5kg better off at the weights for a close second to Unamerican last time. He's getting close to a win and should be in the finish somewhere. 9. Enduring Night has been racing a little bit better than her form looks only finishing a couple of lengths from the winner for the most part. Does get back but it wouldn't shock if she runs into a placing.
How to play it: Solar Apex WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 - 3:10PM VINERY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
4. Quantico is a smart type resuming as a gelding and on the back of a couple of excellent trials. Fresh form is very good, while drawn wide he's very much a good track horse and with even luck in running should go very close.
Dangers: 10. Cream Rises is another talent who looked good winning at his first two starts then far from disgraced behind Gravina at Randwick back in May before a spell. Playing at home here and he's one to keep an eye on. 7. Fastconi comes back a notch in class on his last few and would only have to run up to his latest effort behind Geist at Randwick to be right in the finish. 2. Electric Girl could be dangerous first-up off the inside gate. Ran third in a Provincial Championships Qualifier over this course in March and while best form is at 1400m she's not to be overlooked.
How to play it: Quantico WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 5 - 3:45PM TAB HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
6. Shibli was left a sitting shot when run down by Solar Apex here second-up but the tempo in this race should suit him a lot more. Had to make a midrace move last time so not holding it against him. Good chance to atone.
Dangers: 5. Mightybeel resumes at a trip where he should be effective. Bumped into Prompt Prodigy first-up last time in before winning at Canterbury by a margin. Sure to have support with James McDonald riding and if he does then expect him to fire. 3. So United showed he's in for a handy prep with a first-up win over 1200m here two weeks ago. Broke his maiden status second-up last time in and this trip suits a lot better. Can't be discounted. 2. Come Along rallied to beat Majella two starts back then led and fought on pretty well behind Ita last week. Should be somewhere on pace again and while racing well is at least an each-way chance.
How to play it: Shibli WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 - 4:20PM RANVET HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
2. Juan Diva will relish a dry track first-up off a complete forgive run where she arguably should have been right in the finish but finished tenth. Liked her recent trial and if she can get the breaks from an inside gate she should be hard to hold out. Read co-trainer Richard Freedman's comments here.
Dangers: 1. Nags To Riches swept home to win first-up then not disgraced up in class at her past two in BM78 races at Randwick. Gets back and runs home strongly, looms as a main player. 3. Oh Please Dianna has measured up well to this sort of class with placings in two runs at Kensington since a Goulburn win in August. Probably has to push forward from a wide gate but has to be considered. 6. Joyous Legend was disappointing when resuming in the G2 Furious Stakes, especially given her placing at G2 level in the autumn. Only other start away from Group company was on debut here and she won so likely improver.
How to play it: Juan Diva E/W ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 - 4:55PM EARTHLIGHT @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
2. Belluci Babe is a dry tracker who resumes with a solid trial win under her belt. Struck a soft track when resuming last prep then won second-up back onto good ground and was unlucky not to win a couple more after that. Strong claims fresh.
Dangers: 4. Enfleurage had every chance second-up at Randwick when sitting outside the leader and winner but unable to match her. Drops 1kg and gets an inside gate so there's a good case for her to be hard to beat. 5. On The Lead hit the line well late into fifth behind Andermatt at Kembla after stepping away quite slowly. Split that horse and Wild Ruler in Listed grade in March so is good enough if the breaks go his way. 11. Ashema has a string of placings at stakes level from the autumn in two-year-old company and resumes here. Two trials haven't been eye-catching but that's not unusual for the stable, the bar plates are greater concern.
How to play it: Belluci Babe WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
