Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Gosford Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Big day of racing ahead at Gosford with the running of the Gold Cup, Coast & Takeover Target to take place. Track will be in the soft range at best, further showers are forecast, tricky looking day ahead. We get underway with a 1200m Midway where I’m siding with the lightly raced (7) DUCK EGG BLUE who drops back from Listed grade at her last start. Not having raced for a month she also drops back in distance & gets a weight advantage over most of her rivals here. (1) THE GREAT HOUDINI & (2) OAKFIELD BADGER are both in form & solid threats whilst the resuming (6) MAD DARCEY is unbeaten fresh & has trialled well.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 2

With no less than 6 acceptors the Chris Waller stable has a very strong hand in this race. I’ll take a punt & go with one of his runners being (6) HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT who really found the line well on debut at Canterbury, that run plus his trials suggest he’s chasing further than this however on damp ground drawn well he just might find himself closer in the run. Certainly (1) SEQUISTA tough to beat, drops back from Group 2 company however no wet track form, it’s a guessing game with her. (5) TIBERIUS was strong to the line on debut, can only be further improved.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 5 – 4

Suggested Bet: HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT EACH-WAY.

RACE 3

To the Highway where (4) JOISELLE looks very well placed to break through for her first win this prep. Placed 2 of 4 she had excuses the other couple & falls 1.5kg taking on the same grade courtesy of Anna Roper’s claim. I can’t tip (6) CARRIBEAN KING to win anymore, I’ve just been burned too often, I can tip him to figure in the placings though which is what he’s very good at! (11) TAI LUNG a chance with luck from a poor draw.

Numbers: 4 – 6 – 11 – 1

Suggested Bet: JOISELLE TO WIN.

RACE 4

Although stepping up sharply in distance I’m sticking with the lightly raced & very much in form (4) ENGINE ROOM who has been impressive at both wins this time in. He appreciated a genuine tempo first up running home over the top of the leaders (1300m) before back 50m which really didn’t suit last start yet he was still able to score running away. 1600m is the unknown now & is it too soon? Hopefully not. (1) YANKEE ONE is flying & the claim helps, holds a good record on this track. (2) ENTER THE DRAGON’s chances will be decided by how much petrol he uses early on to get across as his pattern is to race on speed.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 2 – 10

Suggested Bet: ENGINE ROOM EACH-WAY.

RACE 5

Here’s a raffle! Don’t let me sway you if you’re keen on one. (3) SUN GOD is an ex-UK galloper who lines up for both his fourth run this prep & in the country. He does look as though he’s building to something & the ground shouldn’t prove any issue. The consistent (9) CORMAC T strips fitter second-up & drops plenty in weight, he’ll handle any surface they throw at him! Thought (15) TRAPALANDA was the other likely improver although may need one more, betting?

Numbers: 3 – 9 – 15 – 14

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 6

Although up plenty in class I’ll be having something each-way (6) POWER OF THE BRAVE here. Very consistent this prep he is a winner here this trip, races on speed, handles wet ground & tumbles in weight off recent runs/wins. I’m expecting improvement from (1) MOGO MAGIC who is a lot better than his two runs this prep suggest. (9) STORM THE RAMPARTS ticks a few boxes here notably the track, trip & going, being first up look for any market support.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 9 – 12

Suggested Bet: POWER OF THE BRAVE EACH-WAY.

RACE 7

First of our feature races is the Listed Gosford Gold Cup where (3) HEZASHOCKER is very well placed on paper to take home the trophy. Right at his peak fourth run back from a break the step up 100m in distance is certainly suitable. His backmarking pattern will be the concern should they not be making ground in the earlier races. (2) NEW ENDEAVOUR doesn’t win very often however he’s rarely far away & has come back in good order this prep, he comes out of the same race as the top tip with less than a length between the pair on the line, he will land nice & handy from the ideal draw. (4) NAVAL COLLEGE holds a strong second-up record, include in exotics.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 4 – 9

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 8

The half-million-dollar The Coast is up next. I’m not sure where (10) KNOW THYSELF will end up in the run from the poor draw however on form alone I just have to have him on top. Only lightly raced he’s swiftly progressing through the grades & finds himself taking on this tougher assignment with 8kg less on his back that last start. The ground is no concern, just hoping Ash Morgan can slot him in somewhere or at least gain cover. Big watch once again on (4) WOOTTON VERNI who was heavily backed at his Australian debut, he was caught wide throughout suggesting we forgive the run, the money suggests he’s going well at home. (2) DEPTH OF CHARACTER is flying up north, may be looking for further now though?

Numbers: 10 – 4 – 2 – 8

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 9

The Takeover Target is the last of today’s feature races. I’m leaning to a couple who go around first up being (9) PEREILLE & (15) ACCREDITED. I can’t tip both so it’s the Godolphin galloper who gets the nod, he’s very good when on the fresh side, loves the give in the ground & has been to the trials twice readying him for this. (15) ACCREDITED went to another level last prep winning 3 straight in town, he failed in Listed company before spelling however may well have been ready for the paddock by that stage, also tuned up with a couple of trials. (14) WARNIE a big watch however he may head north instead?

Numbers: 9 – 15 – 8 – 14

Suggested Bet: BACKING PEREILLE & ACCREDITED TO WIN.

RACE 10

Going with the resuming (10) RAIKKONEN in this closing race who has trialled nicely for his return. Only lightly raced with the one prep under his belt he placed on debut before winning consecutive races, plenty of excuses at the final run when taken north where nothing went right. Suggest he’ll have improved over the break & I’d be surprised not to see him in the finish. (4) MEMORIA will be up on the lead doing her thing, she’s a winner here twice from three attempts. I’ve officially given up on (5) KING OF ROSEAU which will give him additional incentive to run well here…

Numbers: 10 – 4 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet: RAIKKONEN TO WIN (looking for market support).

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