Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Gold Coast Preview

RACE 1

Big day of racing at the Gold Coast on Saturday kicks off with a Class 1 over the 1800m trip. I’ll lean to BLUE RAY who should be just about at his peak third run back from a break, he did make ground in a fast run race at Doomben last start suggesting the step up to 1800m should suit. PLAIMONT has good upside, sound on debut, strong to the line winning second-up, yes this is harder however not that much to be honest. LUCIANA in the mix with a touch of luck off the wide gate.

Numbers: 1 – 10 – 4 – 9

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 2

WAIRERE FALLS often ‘writes the cheque’ however rarely does he cash it having not won for almost 800 days (26 starts) yet putting in many ‘flashing light’ performances along the way. I may be crazy however I’m suggesting he can at least place here & is worth a small ticket each-way as his past couple have been good… again! Third-up WARP SPEED should be ready, felt he may have ended up on the worst part of the track his latest, still made ground though. BETTCHA THE CROWN races on speed, he’ll give a sight.

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 3 – 7

Suggested Bet: WAIRERE FALLS EACH-WAY (small bet)


RACE 3

Sticking with HELEVA DEEL who does look nicely placed here third run back from a break. Should have finished closer first up before striking trouble at the start her latest run, she did hit the line well though & I’d suggest from the good alley today with Orman up she will park a lot handier in the run. I’ve been with SIGOURNEY her past 3 starts, all have been sound enough however she’s always running on from the back not aided by wide draws, inside gate today could end up being a help or a hindrance? The consistent pair REDWOOD SHADOW & UNCOMMON VALOUR in the mix.

Numbers: 4 – 16 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet: HELEVA DEEL TO WIN.


RACE 4

The consistent DAYTONA BAY couldn’t quite run down SEA RAIDER at Doomben a fortnight back looking to have every chance to do so. He’s won up to this distance & meets SEA RAIDER 1.5kg better for the official 0.83L defeat, enough to turn the tables for mine unless we strike a heavy track which is highly unlikely. RED TOP had zero luck two back & things didn’t really pan out last time either, he will give a start from the wide draw though.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 13 – 8

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 5

BROOKHAVEN is down to resume either here or at Ipswich, gut feel is it’s more likely the latter however should connections decide here is the better option he’s in with a real show fresh. Get the feeling SELOUS has been set for a first up tilt, scratched out of an easier race midweek, two trials & a decent enough first up record he draws well for Andrew Mallyon, definite market watch. Stable mates FUMIKO & JOHN RAMBO will both get back, they can find the line though & will appreciate a strong tempo.

Numbers: 2 – 8 – 10 – 4

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 6

Happy to back both BOOM TORQUE & VIMINELE should the market allow. The former had excuses two back before squeezing through along the inside to win last time, big tick for him is he’s already a winner on this new surface (Magic Millions Day). VIMINELE is a backmarker, he was clearly beaten by the lack of tempo last start, with no weight on the back he’ll be motoring home & they should run along at least at a genuine tempo up front. The old war horse MASTER JAMIE can never be left out.

Numbers: 3 – 8 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet: Backing top 2 selections to WIN.


RACE 7

CHINNY BOOM is one of the best placed horses all day & I’d be surprised should she not win this. Freshened up off the 3rd placed effort here on Magic Millions Day she looked good winning a recent trial at Rockhampton with plenty in the tank. Drawn perfectly to either lead or trial it’s hard to find a negative. MABEL gets back & runs on, should the breaks go her way she’ll be in the finish. RUSSIAN ALLIANCE can run into a placing first up without any surprise.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 2 – 9

Suggested Bet: CHINNY BOOM TO WIN.


RACE 8

The first of the Jewel races & both are lotteries. DEFIANT BOOM will come in a few spots after scratchings however will still likely go back rather than forward. Yet to miss a placing at his 3 starts to date he couldn’t quite match it with the first two in the Prelude a fortnight back however neither go around here. HEAD HONCHO had zero luck first up from a wide gate, can improve sharply from the better draw this time. MISHANI LILY has plenty of speed, will give a sight whilst the stablemate MISHANI ECLIPSE if not a noted drifter can figure fresh.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 8 – 1

Suggested Bet: DEFIANT BOOM EACH-WAY.


RACE 9

Good field to go around in the 3yo feature. HIGHBAR & DEFIANT SPRIT look the two & they did quinella the Prelude two weeks ago with the latter storming down the outside. He’s going to jump from a very wide gate here which won’t make it easy, HIGHBAR draws more favourably & might be able to steal a break on his main rival early in the straight? TRIFLING never runs a bad race & she’s been competitive in stronger company than she meets here. 1200m likely too short for her however she’ll be hitting the line hard late.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 10 – 8

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 10

Taking a punt on the resuming Gollan trained MUSCHIALLI who is always capable of pulling out a run fresh. He’s trialled well & gets the in-form Cejay Graham to steer from a cosy draw. He needs a dry track & should that be the case & there’s be market support I’d be following it in. TIKKA READY finally went under last start after a string of wins, wouldn’t be ruling her out of at least the placings. HIDDEN WEALTH would have been tip selection had he not drawn the car park.

Numbers: 2 – 11 – 12 – 7

Suggested Bet: MUSCHIALLI EACH-WAY.

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