Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Gold Coast Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Winter Carnival racing in Queensland heads to the Gold Coast on Saturday with the running of the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes plus a terrific looking support card. I’m not sure what type of track condition to expect as there are showers forecast for both Friday & raceday, certainly won’t be any better than soft though. We get things underway with a distance race where I suggest treading warily, (7) MISTRESSOFILLUSION made ground last start however was too far back to figure in the finish, that effort was certainly good enough to rate her an each-way hope here. Can make a case for nos.4, 6 & 9.

Numbers: 7 – 6 – 4 – 9

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 2

I’m in agreeance with the market here suggesting (2) METALART & (8) JOHN RAMBO are the major winning chances. (8) JOHN RAMBO gets the nod as he’s the one with race fitness on his side having had a couple of outings this time in winning both with strong finishes. He loves the damp ground & should prove hard to hold out once again. (2) METALART has won fresh, finished last in a recent trial however wasn’t asked for any effort whatsoever, monitor market leads as if he’s fit enough he’s very capable of winning this fresh. (12) TOWN CRIER next best, hard to see him turning the tables on (8) JOHN RAMBO from last start however can still place.

Numbers: 8 – 2 – 12 – 13

Suggested Bet: BACKING JOHN RAMBO & METALART TO WIN.

RACE 3

Wide open race, I could tip at least 5 runners on top & still miss the winner! I’ll settle on (4) TORABELLA who has had the one run back from a short break when sitting 3 deep without cover yet still coasting into the race on the home turn, she couldn’t quite go on with it in the straight however certainly didn’t shirk her task. Blake Shinn will be looking to quickly get her across from the wide draw here. (11) FLOOZIE is flying, she does have to deal with a wide gate this time around & a likely tougher run than she’s had at both wins this prep. (5) EXOTIQUE MISS won well fresh & should only be further improved.

Numbers: 4 – 11 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 4

Interestingly there’s no speed in this race on paper with only Rockribbed going forward, will it pan out that way or will connections all decide to push on & we end up with the exact opposite? (3) BOOM TORQUE has taken advantage of good draws in the past however he’s also ended up buried, what will be the wash up today as he’s certainly found a very suitable race to win. With Blake Shinn to steer there’s plenty in his favour so on top he goes. (15) THE INFLICTOR was very good first up running on when into the clear, super consistent last prep he’s right in this on the limit weight. Have to include (6) ROCKRIBBED who may get that soft run whilst (8) WARNIE isn’t without a chance either.

Numbers: 3 – 15 – 6 – 8

Suggested Bet: BOOM TORQUE EACH-WAY.

RACE 5

The Ken Russell for the 2yo’s looks an extremely competitive affair. I do have (3) BEADMAN on top however I can’t take odds-on should he start in the red. His win & placing were both in provincial company & if not for the J. Mac factor at play here I’d suggest he’d be well into black figures. By the same token there’s not a lot of strong exposed form taking him on either, Kelly Schweida’s unbeaten filly (9) SUNRAYS appears the logical danger having overcome difficulties to win before spelling, she does draw awkwardly though. Thought (5) MORTAL HALO could be an improver, both career runs to date were in good company & he has trialled soundly.

Numbers: 3 – 9 – 5 – 4

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 6

The Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas looks like being run at a hectic speed with plenty of 3yo’s engaged capable of leading or settling on pace. That could play into the hands of the resuming (2) EMIRATE who impressed winning both starts at his first prep before thrown in the deep end his second, he certainly didn’t let anyone down though finishing under 3L from the likes of Broadsiding & Traffic Warden. He’s had two soft trials lead-up trials making ground the latest. Like the look of (3) WANARUAH however the gate & tempo may work against him, still too good to leave out. Big step up in grade for (17) EDITING however she couldn’t have been any more impressive winning her maiden at Eagle Farm, she might be very good!

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 17 – 4

Suggested Bet: EMIRATE EACH-WAY.

RACE 7

To the feature the Group 2 Hollindale. I’ve narrowed it down to (2) BUCKAROO & (3) LINDERMANN who both come through the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth, plenty will be dependent on the track conditions. (3) LINDERMANN will settle closer however should the going be on the worst side of soft he could be vulnerable. I’ll never change my mind (2) BUCKEROO should have won last year’s Melbourne Cup, he’s had the two outings this prep & I like him freshened & back to 1800m, he’s the one who is far better placed should the track be on that worst side of soft. (8) ELIYASS resumes, will go forward & is more than capable of winning this fresh, make no mistake he’ll be ready to go.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 8 – 5

Suggested Bet: BACKING LINDERMANN & BUCKAROO TO WIN.

RACE 8

The Gold Coast Bracelet for the fillies on their way to the Oaks, well hopefully. I’ve again narrowed the race down to two winning chances being (4) PINITO & (5) MERIDIANA who filled the placings in the Princess at Eagle Farm a fortnight back. I’m going to lean (4) PINITO’s way as I love the way she just keeps on finding the line, her runs in Sydney were the same & she should lap up 1800m today. (5) MERIDIANA stuck to her guns well in that race being bumped & then buffeted in the straight, at only her third start she could have easily thrown in the towel. (8) ÉCLAIR AWESOME is lightly raced & progressive, there’s a sense of timing about her.

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 8 – 9

Suggested Bet: BACKING PINITO & MERIDIANA TO WIN.

RACE 9

I was expecting a longer price for the second-up (1) NETTUNO however we still may get something around double-figures. He certainly doesn’t win out of turn these days however his first up run was good at Eagle Farm making ground on that inside section which was inferior ground. The wetter the track the better for him. (2) WANDA ROX is flying, she’s well up in the weights today however she’s been terrific all prep. (3) HARDWARE LANE is well worth including should we get to the worst side of soft or into the heavy range, he’s an absolute ‘swimmer’.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 11

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

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