Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Gold Coast Preview

RACE 1

Racing on the new Gold Coast track kicks off with a restricted race for the stayers, plenty of winning chances as they really do tend to mix their form. BEDFORD SQUARE doesn’t win too often however he is quite consistent wherever he goes around, his last start Eagle Farm third in similar grade is good enough to figure & he rises nothing in weight. IOWA doesn’t look far away, brings the stronger Sydney form & is a winner right up to 2500m. READILY AVAILABULL can take up a more prominent position early on from the better draw, too much to do last start.

Numbers: 14 – 3 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 2

SPYWIRE has gone up a backable price in the early markets, honestly thought he’d be deep in red figures however that wasn’t the case. Run down late at Wyong by a good one he should have a bit on these. DEFIANT BOOM backs up off a solid debut last week & will no doubt have taken good benefit. Tony Gollan produces BALASTIER on debut, trialled well & must be kept on the safe side.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet: SPYWIRE TO WIN


RACE 3

The Ballarat Magic Millions Classic has never been a strong form line going forward into next week’s big race & that may well be the same again this year however this year’s winner ARABIAN SUMMER can still salute here. She ran good time leading throughout on that occasion & her previous two placings were solid efforts. If there’s a danger it could well be MOULIN MISS who is on debut for the Gollan yard, bolted in a recent trial & the time was good. Confident the winner will come from that pair.

Numbers: 1 – 8 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet: ARABIAN SUMMER/MOULIN ROUGE TO WIN


RACE 4

Going to give BARASSI another chance. He’s had his issues which is obvious being a 5yo who only made his debut last month off some very impressive trials over the space of 2 years. Heavily backed he was expected to win however just didn’t finish off after having no peace up front. He’ll strip fitter, wiser & from gate one may land the box seat. ASSEMBLE will have been set for this, one run off a break will be ready to show her best for our leading jockey off a good gate. PAYLINE will find this harder than last start however there’s no doubt he should have won, must be included.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 4 – 7

Suggested Bet: BARASSI EACH-WAY


RACE 5

Wide draw for the promising CERTAINLYCAN however I’m going to take the punt she can overcome any obstacles & get the job done. The stable clearly have a good opinion of her as they don’t send their horses around in a Listed race on debut (she ran 3rd). Spelled soon after she’s again mixed it with Listed company this prep before romping away with a maiden at Doomben last start. Now we are likely to race on dry ground DEFIANT SPIRIT has to be included, just didn’t handle the soft last time & draws well. Like the look of JUKEBOX IN SIBERIA who is also lightly raced.

Numbers: 9 – 2 – 16 – 3

Suggested Bet: CERTAINLYCAN TO WIN


RACE 6

This race is wide open, bit surprised to see DIMITROV open up reasonably short as although he has the right form, he certainly doesn’t have the right gate. I’m with the Maher/Eustace runner PASIMA who has placed both starts to date in NSW, gave away too big a start the latest before closing well, Maloney to steer is a good pointer. VANQUISHED will race up on speed & should figure in the finish, has the Waterhouse/Bott polish.

Numbers: 7 – 2 – 10 – 11

Suggested Bet: PASIMA EACH-WAY


RACE 7

The Wave is our feature race & I’m with the local galloper THE VOWELS to break through for his first win this preparation. He took on the open listed grade horses last start & although never going to win he kept finding the line under pressure to clock in 3rd, the step up in distance is definitely in his favour. MADAME ODETTE is racing well, drawn well should land a favourable run. ENCODER now we will race on dry ground is right in the mix off the Grand Prix win last start.

Numbers: 1 – 10 – 14 – 13

Suggested Bet: THE VOWELS EACH-WAY


RACE 8

The lightly raced CHILLI FILLY is a promising type with plenty of upside who draws a good gate. She overhauled the consistent Spring Lee last start after enjoying a good run in transit, suggest she will again enjoy the right trip & prove hard to beat. MAID TO FIT continues to race well & is another who lands the right run. SUNSET DREAMING has the right form however will have to overcome a wide gate to win. MISSION OF LOVE a knockout chance from the back.

Numbers: 17 – 4 – 15 – 13

Suggested Bet: CHILLI FILLY TO WIN


RACE 9

WARBY is flying this prep & has come up good odds in early markets. Happy to have something on him each-way off a couple of good wins before a strong closing effort in The Gateway last start. THE KING has won 2 of his past 3 which should likely read all of his past 3 as he was held up badly at the defeat, right in the mix here for Mark Zahra. DAYTONA an improver with another quiet ride? Chances certainly don’t end there though.

Numbers: 8 – 16 – 11 – 21

Suggested Bet: WARBY EACH-WAY

Market Market