Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Gold Coast Preview

RACE 1

Big afternoon/evening of racing on the Gold Coast with last Saturday’s washed-out Jewel meeting being carried over. With fine weather in the lead up I’m tipping we get back to a soft (5) by the time we get underway with a further upgrade not out of the question. Couple of very difficult looking races to start with, JOVITA has placed at her past 3 outings & all have been good enough to get away with this. SHARP DAZZLER has been out to this trip in the past unable to see it out, not the case last start when finding the line strongly. DIVAKARA will appreciate the trip.

Numbers: 12 – 6 – 16 – 8

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 2

Wouldn’t be having my last on any of these however there’s a winner amongst them! EL JASOR beat absolutely nothing first up however did it comfortably, second up tried very hard however couldn’t peg bag the winner giving away 2.5kg. He’s at least going along with some consistency which isn’t the case with many others in the race. AGE OF SAIL won third up, suggest not quite at his peak yet should run well once again. At odds SCARLET PRINCE isn’t without a chance, last couple of wins have both been good solid efforts in easier grade. Could have easily missed the winner.

Numbers: 8 – 4 – 10 – 11

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 3

Maximum field of 14 runners here, whatever the final number CASPERNOVA will still end up jumping from a wide gate. Nevertheless, I’m sticking with him as he’s racing so well this time in having won all three outings the latest showing a tidy turn of foot when Vlad Duric asked him to go in the straight quickly putting the result beyond any doubt. FUKUBANA ran into stablemate TRIBECA STAR (engaged next race) at Lismore in a feature race, both ran well, he’s yet to put in a subpar effort this prep & from the good draw looms as the obvious danger. If they’re running on ABOUT TO EXPLODE will be right in the finish.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 4 – 8

Suggested Bet: CASPERNOVA & FUKUBANA TO WIN.


RACE 4

TRIBECA STAR looks very well placed here third run back from a break. He looked good hitting the line strongly first up at Doomben over 1200m, he then followed that up with a dominant Lismore win in a feature race. He holds strong form lines around this level & slightly better suggesting he’s the runner to beat. SPACE TRACKER a chance, he’ll need luck off the wide draw though, at least cover. CADETSHIP & LOST IN TRANSIT in the mix, the latter just went too hard in front last start.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet: TRIBECA STAR TO WIN.


RACE 5

CHINNY BOOM is the class runner here & I’m happy to be in her corner. She had a change of stable at her two runs down south last prep however didn’t seem to appreciate the new surroundings finishing last & second last albeit in strong company. Back with her original trainer she holds a terrific fresh record & her lead-up trials suggest she’s back to her best. TECTONIC PLATE drops back in grade, she’s ultra-consistent & right in the hunt here. PARTY FOR TWO didn’t run 1400m last start, freshened up much better placed back to 1100m she’ll give a sight. Last start Sandown winner MIGHTY is back with the Gollan yard & must be included.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 3 – 13

Suggested Bet: CHINNY BOOM EACH-WAY.


RACE 6

GRAFTERBURNERS holds very strong form lines for this race having finished on the heels of the placegetters at Randwick last start. The first two out of that race have since gone on to win important Golden Slipper lead up races & are well in the market for the big Group 1 next week. Nice & fresh look for him to be zooming home right over the top of the leaders. PRETTY DUBIOUS trialled very well before being beaten on debut, the run did him the world of good as he improved plenty to win at his only other attempt. BETTERLUCKNEXTTIME should be peaking, does need to improve a little though.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet: GRAFTERBURNERS TO WIN.


RACE 7

Should ASTAPOR not end up posted wide he is clearly the runner to beat in the 3yo Jewel. Far from disgraced in a couple of much stronger affairs down south last prep he resumed in the Prelude at Doomben looking a little unlucky being held up nearer the inside. There’s no doubt he should have finished closer & with luck on his side here can go one better. He meets the filly who beat him that day DREAM SMART 6kg better off, she can still run the quinella. HEARTS ARE BETTER clocked in third same race, can find a placing once again.

Numbers: 1 – 8 – 9 – 12

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 8

Keen on the chances of JUST MOLLY who rises to 1800m for the first time. She finished very strongly to win over 1600m at Doomben two starts back before running into traffic issues same track & trip her latest. The way she finishes off her races I can only see the additional 200m being a positive & she’ll carry no weight with only 52kg on her back. The rest tend to go around against each other on a fortnightly basis, DUNE FORTY FIVE should lead, he broke the track record at Doomben two back from the front, more than capable of doing it both ends.

Numbers: 15 – 2 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet: JUST MOLLY EACH-WAY.


RACE 9

Open race. Suggesting something each-way KALUMBURU who hit the line very strongly from well back when beating all bar Caspernova (engaged R3 today) first up at Eagle Farm. That’s his pattern, he has no early speed which is never ideal, suggest not to get carried away. CORFE CASTLE is honest however he’s not exactly strong to the line, his last couple of wins have been off soft trips yet he’s only fallen in, he does map to get another soft trip today though. I’ve given up on HATCHET which likely means he wins!… Maybe not however he can figure in the placings.

Numbers: 13 – 2 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet: KALUMBURU EACH-WAY (small bet).


RACE 10

Hoping TEN TRINITY SQUARE gains a start here as the 7th emergency, it’s not very likely & even should he do so connections may elect to scratch due to the wide draw, I not he has accepted at Toowoomba also. Very unlucky not to be unbeaten he copped a decent bump when beaten back in December, there’s no doubt he should & would have won. There wasn’t a lot wrong with ACRES AWAY’s form last prep, trialled well he’s good fresh. Definite respect for the first up PIASTRI aided by the 3kg claim & good draw. The Gollan pair ARISPHERE & SIMBU worth including in exotics.

Numbers: 19 – 16 – 2 – 13 – 14

Suggested Bet: Box up top 5 selections in exotics.

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