Races

Chris Nelson’s Friday Gold Coast Preview

RACE 1

Magic Millions Day/night second time around! What we end up with now is a great little 7 race boutique meeting, hopefully the weather does the right thing this week. Keen on the chances of the in-form BELVEDERE BOYS in this opening event who lines up for the hat trick of wins. He’s been a revelation since stepping up in distance of late & will relish getting out to 2200m, any rain around will only enhance his chances. ENCODER & MISS JOELENE fought out the finish at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday, suggests both will figure in the placings at least. TANNHAUSER & LOCH EAGLE grow flippers when the rain comes, include both should we get some.

Numbers: 5 – 11 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet:  BELVEDERE BOYS TO WIN


RACE 2

First of the 3-million-dollar features is the 2yo Magic Millions. I find it tough to split a number of runners including the one-time favourite ICARIAN DREAM who was displaced from that position after drawing a wide gate. In these major races sometimes you’ve just got to throw the barrier positions out the window & go with your initial thoughts & I still feel he’s the best horse in the race. Hopefully they can run on wide out tonight which wasn’t the case last Saturday. GALLO NERO gets the right run from the ideal draw. MEMO draws the pole, on paper that’s not a good thing for her, should he get away from the rail & into the clear though she’s right in the finish. SPACE RIDER a definite winning hope should she gain a start.

Numbers: 6 – 2 – 13 – 17

Suggested Bet: ICARIAN DREAM EACH-WAY


RACE 3

Thought SEMANA looked very well place in both this & Race 6, connections have decided to take this option & I’m right on board. She’s got some very hot form lines of late placing in Group 1 company second up last prep, third up she was less than 2 lengths from the star mare Via Sistina, note she won on this day last year enduring a wide trip throughout. Happy to forgive ZARASTRO’s latest, first up run very good & drawn to either lead or stalk. HARD TO SAY in the mix, never far away & will go forward.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 6 – 8

Suggested Bet: SEMANA TO WIN


RACE 4

Going wide here putting WEST OF AFRICA on top who caught the eye closing off fresh at Randwick behind a couple of smart types. Suited by the step up in trip just won’t want it too wet. ABOUNDING won the 3yo Guineas this day last year, strong first up winner before caught wide the latest. REDFORD is promising & can definitely figure in the finish once again. CHARM STONE also in the mix.

Numbers: 18 – 2 – 19 – 6

Suggested Bet: WEST OF AFRICA EACH-WAY (very small bet)


RACE 5

The 3yo’s get their chance to run for the big prize here. BAUHINIA is another who’s price eased after drawing a wide gate. We’ll know by this stage of the night if runners can make ground from the back & if they are I’m more than happy to take the chance on her being able to reel the leaders in as she has a paralysing finishing burst. Keep in mind 4 of the past 6 winners of this race have come from barrier 10 or wider. GIVE ME SPACE put up an unbelievable performance to gun down Street Chase at Eagle Farm, races better ridden back & will be from the wide draw. Liked the way BOSUSTOW closed off in the same race, he has a sense of timing for this race. No knock SNITZANOVA.

Numbers: 14 – 2 – 7 – 6

Suggested Bet: BAUHINIA EACH-WAY


RACE 6

Couple of important scratchings here have me now in the corner of the Victorian visitor MISS ROUMBINI. Very hard to knock having won 4 of 8, she placed first up in Group 3 company before running down a smart type at Ballarat in a feature race. Won 2 of 5 on soft yet to see anything worse at this stage. BUBBA’S BAY never seems to run a bad race, tough as old boots last start she has to take on 1300m here however cannot be left out. STAR ACT is one to include should we get plenty of rain which isn’t forecast however you never know, absolute swimmer.

Numbers: 6 – 5 – 16 – 7

Suggested Bet: MISS ROUMBINI TO WIN (small bet)


RACE 7

This last race is a good one, extremely competitive. YELLOW BRICK, CIFRADO & HIDDEN WEALTH are all class runners who with luck on their side are more than capable of winning the race. The latter’s latest run should be overlooked, valid excuses & his previous efforts were good ones. If I was going to throw in another it would be the very consistent BOHEMIAN LAD who is just busting to win a race, might not have the class of his rivals however he does have a lot less weight. BOOM TORQUE isn’t without a chance either.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 1 – 16 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 5 selections in exotics

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