We head down the M1 this Saturday for a metropolitan meeting at the Gold Coast Turf Club. Unfortunately the weather hasn’t been kind and we’re faced with a wet track. As of Thursday the track is rated a Heavy 8 with the rail in the true position. Further wet weather is forecast.
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Race 1
It’s always risky getting involved in a 2 year old race on a wet track when it’s unknown how the youngsters will handle it. Miss Exfactor (7) debuted recently in very good style. She went with Houtzen early in the race before that great filly dashed away late. Miss Exfactor was 4 lengths from the winner but she brained the rest, some who had won in Saturday metro races previously. She’ll be fitter here and should go forward for Jimmy Byrne. A heavy track is a concern but she did race well on a Soft 5 Eagle Farm track which is a good test!
Other Hopes:
Nivo (10) ran on well here for 2nd over 1200m when on debut. That was on a soft 7 surface and breeding suggests she’ll get through the ground. Should be fitter here.
Shogun Sun (4) is on the quick back up after winning easily at Eagle Farm over 1200m on Monday.
Chief Havoc (1) debuts here for Liam Birchley. He’s well bred, drawn well and the blinkers go on suggesting intent.
Race 2
Lieder (7) has been in good form lately. He won 3 starts back and has got into the placings his past 2 starts. Last start he ran on strongly to just miss the win at Eagle Farm over 1600m. The rise in distance here looks suitable and Damian Browne should be able to race handy from the good gate.
Other Hopes:
Mr Spin (4) proved that a wet track does not faze him last start. Over 1600m at Randwick on a bog track he ran on strongly to claim a Highway race. Will be running on here.
Positive Problems (9) comes up from Sydney for Bjorn Baker in good form. Her 3 most recent runs have all been on heavy tracks. She’ll go forward from the wide gate and could prove hard to run down. Would have liked to have seen her finish off better last start over 1600m however.
King Red (2) went forward last start and fought strongly to win over 1600m at Eagle. He defeated Lieder that day but now meets that horse worse at the weights. Will race in a forward position.
Race 3
These BM75 distance races usually throw up a funny result and now we’re adding a wet track to the mix….good times. Skytrek (5) has shown signs of improvement lately. Two starts back he ran on for 2nd here over 1800m. Last start he again ran on 2400m at Eagle Farm in this class. It was a good effort to get within a length of the winner after the jockey dropped the whip. He should enjoy a good run.
Other Hopes:
Magnatune (1) has been performing well in these types of races recently. The wet track enhances his chances.
Three Points (6) has finished in the placings in his past 3 starts which have all been in these types of races. Is close to a win and should be prominent in the run.
Outstrip (9) has won just 3 times in 56 starts. Having said that all 3 wins were on soft or heavy tracks. He’ll be running on.
Race 4
We got from a 2200m to a 900m and the task of finding the winner doesn’t get any easier. I’m going with Land Office (4). He resumes here following a very good last preparation. He won a Class 6 city race and ran a number of close placings behind some handy types. While he’ll be better later, he can show up fresh here from the inside gate.
Other Hopes:
Dylan’s Luck (6) disappointed last start but did make ground at Toowoomba. Was much better winning here the start prior over this trip.Drawn well and has won on heavy before.
Sassy Tycoon (2) is a speedster resuming here. Has a super record over this course and distance and the 3kg helps.
Live Fast (13) ran well last start at Eagle Farm over 1000m when finishing 2nd to Khaleeq. Drawn well and has a good record over the distance.
Race 5
Brazen Moss (6) caught the eye charging to the line 1st up to just miss the win over 1200m at Eagle Farm. She then raced wide last start when stepping up to 1400m in a race won by Neuschwanstein. She can be forgiven for that as she generally races flat 2nd up. She’ll be fitter here and has raced well 3rd up in the past. While she’s drawn wide I don’t think that will be such a problem on the heavy track. In 2 heavy track runs she’s finished 1st and 2nd so no dramas with the track.
Other Hopes:
Neuschwanstein (3) finished off strongly last start over this distance at Eagle Farm to win by 2 lengths. It was an impressive win and he can go on with it here.
Slydini (12) drops back in distance but did finish a close 3rd over this course and distance 5 starts back. May have found them a bit nippy on a dry track but really comes into it on the heavy going.
Motion Granted (10) won over this trip last start at Ballina. Form prior to that and all preparation has been good. Hasn’t been on heavy going before but has handled soft going well in the past.
Race 6
Fast Arrow (9) is up in class but drops significantly in weight. Last start he won here over this distance by 1.5 lengths carrying 61kg. He now drops to 54kg and the King of the Coast, Dan Griffin retains the ride. Form prior to that win was very good. He has a great record on rain affected tracks.
Other Hopes:
Hudson County (8) has been racing well besides a failure at Eagle Farm 3 starts back. Stuck on quite well for 3rd last start at Eagle Farm over 1600m. Will go forward from the wide gate and could prove hard to catch.
Colour Charge (5) has been in ripping form over the Eagle Farm 1600m with 2 wins from his past 3 starts. No reason he can’t carry that form over to the Gold Coast.
Sabkhat (10) has been around the mark in this class of racing lately. Was caught wide last start over 2000m but fought on well. That should hold it in good stead here. Should race handy.
Race 7
Flamboyer (2) has been in good form lately. He went very close 3 starts back when finishing 2nd in the Sunshine Coast Cup. Last start he went forward at Eagle Farm over 1200m and was too strong, winning by 1.3 lengths. Alannah Fancourt will roll forward again here and could prove hard to run down given the horse’s liking for a wet track.
Other Hopes:
In His Stride (5) resumes here after a freshen up. He found the line strongly here 2 starts back on Magic Millions day to just miss the win. Look for him to be getting home hard again.
Jopa (4) rarely runs a bad race. Won his only start at the course and distance. Loves a wet track.
Sir Moments (1) is a quality galloper and for that reason will lump 61kg. That could be an ask on the heavy track but he did win his only other heavy start. Won the Sunshine Coast Cup last start.
Race 8
I really liked the run of Our Beebee (8) when resuming at Eagle Farm over 1000m last start. She found the line strongly to win by 1.3 lengths. She looked to have more to give which was encouraging. She’ll be improved 2nd up and the step up in distance won’t pose any problems as she did finish 5.5 lengths off Winning Rupert over it last preparation. With Rebecca Williams claim she once again gets in with a light weight.
Other Hopes:
Beaudacious (9) resumed last start in the race won by Our Beebee. She savaged the line to finish 2nd. She’ll lap up the 1200m here and it’s a distance she’s undefeated over.
Tyzone (1) has built up quite a record winning 6 of 9 starts. Most of those have been in North Queensland but he proved he has talent last start beating the older horses at Doomben.
Scorcha (15) romped in last start at Doomben by 7.5 lengths to break her maiden status. This is harder but has always looked like a good horse capable of winning a good race. Breeding suggests she’ll handle the track and she’ll race in a forward position.
Best Bet
Race 5 – Brazen Moss (6)
Race 7 – Flamboyer (2)