With no racing in the metropolitan area of Brisbane on New Year’s Day, we head to the Gold Coast where the feature race is the Carlton Draught Goldmarket Handicap.
Goldmarket Handicap Form Guide
1. STARTSMEUP
Very good winner of the G3 George Moore Stakes when first up two runs back before getting back in the Listed Lough Neagh and finishing fourth of seven, beaten 3 ¼ lengths. Lough Neagh was dominated by leader, Audacious Spirit and he has produced good efforts when third up in the past.Can bounce back.
Odds: $6.00
2. STEEL ZIP
He won a Listed race first up accounting for Phelan Ready and Audacious Spirit in late November. Scratched from the Lough Neagh a fortnight ago so it’ll be five weeks between runs for him. Draw and racing pattern will see him giving most of these a start for the run home but pace should be genuine and expecting him to be finishing hard.
Odds: $6.00
3. AUDACIOUS SPIRIT
Good effort two starts back when a close up fourth (beaten a neck) in the G3 George Moore and the 1350m posed no problems for him last start in the Lough Neagh Stakes, leading all the way to record a head win over Morning Captain. Will be rolling along in front again and tempo the key.
Odds: $4.20
4. MORNING CAPTAIN
Has been a model of consistency and has been a head away from winning the G3 George Moore and Listed Lough Neagh Stakes at his most recent runs, finishing third and second respectively. Drawn perfectly here in three and should get a nice trail behind the leading group. Coupled with the services of Munce, again he’ll go extremely close.
Odds: $3.80
5. DELAGO BOLT
Sat behind leaders and kicked clear once the run presented itself when winning at Doomben last start by 2 ¼ lengths. That was his second win from three starts this preparation, going well and deserves his shot at this grade.
Odds: $6.50
6. BIGGLES
Led and showed good fight when second to Jet Style two starts back before again running second, this time by a nose, to Jet Style in the Listed Recognition Stakes (1600m), four weeks back. Each of his five career wins have come at distances of 1350m plus.
Odds: $8.50
7. GUNDY SON
Got a long way back and made ground late when eighth (beaten 3 lengths) in the George Moore behind Startsmeup and again, doing best work late when second to Delago Bolt ten days ago. It’s been thirteen starts since his last win but the predicted pace of this race and the step up to 1300m are both in his favour.
Odds: $13.00
8. JUGAHLATION
He won four starts back in a BM 90 on a Heavy Track but as been well accounted for in both the George Moore and Lough Neagh Stakes since. Five of his seven career wins have come on Heavy tracks and unless we see those conditions on the New Years day, can’t see him winning here.
Odds: $41.00
9. CASH ‘N’ STYLE
Steve O’Dea trained galloper who tackles this race first up. Won four of his eight starts last prep but each of those victories were in races of lesser quality than this. Generally races on speed and will get his chance to do so here from four but fancy they’ll have his measure.
Odds: $61.00
10. GO FOREST GO
He’s had two starts back from a ten week let up and his latest effort was a ¾ length second as 9/4 favourite in a Ballina Open. His last four wins have been in Townsville and don’t think he can win here.
Odds: $81.00
SUMMARY
Going with Morning Captain to be rewarded for his consistency and break through here. Should get a lovely run from his gate and a slight advantage in his favour at the weights, just may tilt the scales in his favour. Steel Zip should get the opportunity, courtesy of a genuine tempo, to be finishing hard and I see him as the main danger. To round out the trifecta, looking at – Startsmeup (can easily bounce back) and Gundy Son (should appreciate the trip and is a bit of value @ $13.00).
