By Neil Evans
Track Soft 5 and Rail out 3m.
Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1000m)
We open the meeting with the maiden sprinters on a surface likely to get back into Good range. Not much between the first couple, but debutant I Am Invincible filly 8. Different Drum gets the nod from the superior map draw. Starts career off two progressive trials, the latest on the synthetic over 740m where he bounced to the front, and cruised through the line under a strong hold.
Racing returns to Gosford on Thursday for a seven-race card.
Dangers: Winning Rupert filly and rival first starter 10. Passeggiata is ready to race. Won two trials back in June before being put away, then returned showing early speed to cruise home in a 900m trial two weeks ago. Has plenty of ability and only needs to get over from the wide draw. The market will have a say on resuming Lonhro filly 12. Amberina who won the second of two recent trials. Big watch too on four-year-old 1. Noble Legend who resumes off two progressive trials, and trainer has rung the first time gear chances.
How to play it: Different Drum to win. Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 2 MAIDEN HCP (1600m)
Up to the mile for a race with only modest depth, and augurs well for consistent provincial three-year-old 2. Shigeru who rises in trip fourth-up, although threatens to go around a little under the odds. Has been in the placings in his last three, each time tracking the speed, and this looks an easier assignment.
Dangers: Improving 5. Bonus Tempus is over the odds fourth-up from a softer draw; while keeping safe 12. Romantic Rock third-up. Include 6. I’m Scarlett fourth-up if you’re playing the trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Shigeru to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1900m)
Like the progression shown by tough four-year-old 4. El Bravo who can go back-to-back after surging from just off the lead to claim his maiden in metro company over the same distance. Draws to get a nice trail right behind the speed, and is very fit deep into this prep.
Dangers: From the inside barrier and behind a smart closing provincial maiden win second-up, 7. Grebeni is the logical threat, although wouldn’t be diving into too short a price back on a smaller and tighter circuit. Gap to the rest headed by 2. Celestial Fury who can improve further fourth-up from a softer draw; while 5. Mojo Classic third-up heads the rest.
How to play it: El Bravo to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)
Plenty of chances here in a wide open sprint that should prove to be a good formline. No better early value than metropolitan colt 5. Kiss The Outcast who can improve sharply at his second start, with blinkers added. Was supported at an each-way quote when staying at the back on debut at Warwick Farm, but the run was better than it looked, so expecting him to switch right on here.
Dangers: Well bred Capitalist filly 10. Cappella Rose gets plenty of ticks on debut for a leading metro stable. Cruised home in the second of two provincial trials, and she looks well placed starting in blinkers from an economical draw. Improving three-year-old 7. Victory Lane has placed in his last couple, and significantly blinkers replace winkers for the first time. Keep very safe 16. Don Pedro after charging home late on debut in the country. Included in exotics 13. Light Press at her fifth start after flying home at Hawkesbury 18 days ago; and talented filly 14. Moonlight Grace second-up from a wide gate.
How to play it: Kiss The Outcast each way and first four 5,7,10,16/ 5,7,10,13,14,16/ 5,7,10,13,14,16/ 5,7,10,13,14,16
Race 5 MIDWAY CLASS 1 HCP (1200m)
Strong and open races for this class. Love the second-up value here about improving Vancouver four-year-old 2. Elleves over a furlong further. Finished well from midfield behind a smart sprinter 12 days ago coming off a six-month spell, and while this is a deeper race, he draws to sit a little bit closer.
Dangers: Plenty of them headed by lightly raced 8. Par Five who returns from the inside barrier off a four month break. Hasn’t publicly trialled, but comes to hand sharply. Watch the betting moves too on 4. First Peoples who has been given a month via a forward trial since only being run down late under a big weight resuming in a weaker country race. Topweight and very honest four-year-old 1. Oxford Vision is over the odds from a soft draw and deep into the prep; while 3. Geewiz Johnny is capable of running into the minor money.
How to play it: Elleves each way. Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 6 BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1100m)
A few runners loom over the odds here in another competitive sprint, but talented mare 9. Field Wiri is still the clear benchmark first-up. Fitted with two progressive city trials, winning the most recent, and can again come to hand quickly from an ideal trailing draw. Placed in four straight through winter, twice flashing home from the back to just miss in handy Saturday company at Eagle Farm.
Dangers: Last start fillies and mares winner at this level, 2. I Am Brazen can figure again, carrying the same weight after the claim. At bigger odds watch for 6. Selhurst Park to be ridden quieter from the wide draw, and be saved for one late charge in only his second run for the new home track stable. From the inside barrier 7. Wolf Queen first-up behind two handy trials; and 12. Tintookie who also resumes off two trials from a wider draw; can be included in exotics.
How to play it: Field Wiri to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1600m)
Similar graded gallopers over the mile to close the meeting, and it stacks up nicely for progressive provincial three-year-old 2. Zouson Boy who can make it two straight over a little further. Finished best as a well supported favourite to win 18 days ago, and the second horse then came out and bolted in last week. Boasts early tactical speed, and both wins so far have been on dry ground.
Dangers: Tough 7. Oakfield Warpaint is also hunting consecutive wins after driving home impressively in a similar field third-up at Wyong two weeks back. Expecting fifth-up improvement from metro four-year-old 10. Pacific Force who wants more ground, and draws to get plenty of cover; while 1. Titled Tycoon third-up from the inside draw; and 6. Noble Beauty deep into her prep and back from metro company; both go in exotic plays.
How to play it: Zouson Boy to win. Odds and Evens: Split
BEST BETS:
Race 3: (4) EL BRAVO
Race 6: (9) FIELD WIRI
BEST VALUE:
Race 5: (2) ELLEVES
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
