Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Gosford Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Gosford the main meeting in NSW on Saturday with feature racing on a dry track. Chris Waller had 5 accepted for this opening race however as I type St Gotthard has gone north to the Gold Coast whilst stablemate (3) ZYNARO has passed on that option deciding to stay home. I’ll lean his way off the one start when placed at Mornington sitting deep before fighting on gamely to the line, can’t see him being caught deep from today’s good draw. (2) PRIORY PARK & (4) QUARTERBACK the other main hopes.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 2

1200m Midway which as per usual looks a wide-open affair. (5) XPRESSO is double figures in early markets which is about the odds you’d be looking for in one of these races. Solid to the line two & three back he didn’t get much of a crack at them last time. Wide draw not ideal he’ll need a little luck to go his way. (12) SPICE BABY is only lightly raced & ticks the right boxes second-up, drawn to go very close I’ll definitely be having a saver. (6) DUCK EGG BLUE a market watch fresh.

Numbers: 5 – 12 – 6 – 14

Suggested Bet: Backing top two selections (small bets only).

RACE 3

(2) NEIL has gone up a short-priced favourite in this week’s Highway for the ‘Highway Man’ himself Matt Dunn. He’s been sent around in a couple of these races recently both at Randwick winning four back, placing two back, happy to side with him. (3) EXIT FEE a market watch fresh. Gulgong trained (9) DENMAN FORCE is only lightly raced & building a good record, will he measure up? You’re getting good odds about finding out that’s for sure.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 9 – 13

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 4

Should the resuming (5) PETTICOAT be able to slot across & sit at worst outside the leader here she should prove very hard to get past down the straight. She’s only missed winning once in 4 fresh attempts (ran 2nd) & has trialled well. (6) COMPENSATION draws inside her & his form cannot be knocked winning 2 of 3, clear danger. Expect (4) CREPE MYRTLE to improve nicely second-up, certainly drawn to do so & record on this track is a good one so far.

Numbers: 5 – 6 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet: Follow any market support for PETTICOAT.

RACE 5

Interesting race. (3) NOBLER will be well fancied on the strength of his last start Randwick win when motoring down the outside late running right over the top of his rivals. He rises 5.5kg for this & although drawn well I’m concerned he may also now be chasing further than a mile. Stablemate (6) MR MILLER won well on debut before wide on speed last start fighting on well to beat all bar the winner. Well drawn here he’s going to lead or box seat; I’ll lean his way. First go at the mile for (9) CHILLI MARGS & it does appear as though she’s searching for it.

Numbers: 6 – 9 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet: Backing top 2 selections to win.

RACE 6

Couple of imports at the top of the market here with both having had just the one local start being (3) THRICE & (10) KING OF THE SEA. I’m going with the latter on top who hit the line strongly at Caulfield over a mile, the rise in trip suits & he’s trialled in between that run & this one looking the goods. I’ll throw (5) BELLA MONTAGNA in as the main danger, hard to miss her slashing return run when beating all bar the winner (Nobler-see previous race result). (3) THRICE had his chance to win fresh however note his second-up record overseas is a very good one.

Numbers: 10 – 5 – 3 – 8

Suggested Bet: KING OF THE SEA TO WIN.

RACE 7

The Listed Takeover Target is the first feature race of the afternoon. The pace looks at least genuine which should give (9) KERGUELEN his chance to get back into the winner’s circle. The inside draw should allow him to gain a nice smother & with clear running in the straight you just know he’s going to attack the line hard. Very wary of the Kiwi visitor (3) SWEYNESDAY who placed in Group 1 company two runs back behind the flying Jigsaw, he might be better than these, market? (2) KING OF ROSEAU & (11) HARRY’S YACHT will be strong late.

Numbers: 9 – 3 – 2 – 11

Suggested Bet: KERGUELEN EACH-WAY.

RACE 8

Really like the look of (10) SARRISMO who ventured north two starts back when winning at Doomben. Sent around favourite & expected to win it was far from smooth sailing as he was trapped deep the entire race. Enjoying a softer run last start he was dominant in the Orange Cup, he’s got some ticker this one & I like him. (1) ZAMBARDO beat all bar Via Sistina in last year’s Mackinnon, this is not 2000m however there’s no escaping that form line! (3) DEPTH OF CHARACTER strips fitter & has fired second-up in the past.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet: SARRISMO TO WIN.

RACE 9

The Gosford Gold Cup does look a wide-open affair, many of these mix their form, it’s just a case of catching them on the right day, easy really… I’m leaning to (12) PORTLAND on an each-way basis. Good behind the smart Wootton Verni in the Group 2 Sellwood he was then posted 3 deep throughout behind (1) ASTERIX last start & he meets that runner 2.5kg better at the weights from a perfect gate. (4) LAND LEGEND struggles to win however can figure in the placings. (11) YOU WAHNG maps well, every chance last start, similar expected here.

Numbers: 12 – 1 – 4 – 11

Suggested Bet: PORTLAND EACH-WAY.

RACE 10

We end the day with a 1200m Benchmark 78 where I’m going to follow any market leads for the resuming (10) DAMIEN who had some solid 3yo form to his credit when last in work. His trials have been encouraging & this is his pet distance. (13) LA ROJA is ultra-consistent, resumes here from a good alley, does have a habit of running second, another who has trialled nicely. (14) HAY STREET a chance from a wide gate with a touch of luck.

Numbers: 10 – 13 – 14 – 3

Suggested Bet: Follow any market support for DAMIEN.

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