Nothinsweetaboutme well-placed for Belle of the Turf at Gosford

A five-year-old Randwick mare with a near 50 per cent win rate from 14 starts can add another notch to the belt in the feature mile showdown at Wednesday’s Gosford meeting.

Ahead of one of the most open Group 3 Belle of the Turf editions for the fillies and mares in many years, a firm track under hot skies, a big drop in weight, and returning to a much smaller circuit are all key weapons for Nothinsweetaboutme.

The lightly raced daughter of dual Cox Plate winner So You Think carted a hefty 62kg to within a half-length of the winner when resuming in a deep Benchmark 78 Hcp at Randwick over 1400m just 11 days ago.

And the Waterhouse-Bott stable has seemingly found an ideal follow-up assignment where she can roll across from a wider draw under only 56.5kg and take a tonne of collaring from the 600m.

Of course, the fly in the ointment will be frontrunner Ausbred Flirt backing up after four days following a second placing at Randwick if he gains a start.

Topweight five-year-old She’s The Gift fourth-up, and Victorian-based longshot Deny Knowledge third-up are the only other likely on-speed runners, so it could turn into a tactical affair from the half mile.

And that will suit Nothinsweetaboutme who raced in strong Saturday company up to 2000m last prep, with half of her six career wins coming on firm ground.

Earlier, the Gosford Guineas over 1200m for the three-year-olds should see powerful Hellbent gelding Hell I Am book his ticket to the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast in the New Year.