He has started a short priced favourite at each of his last two starts but punters will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky for Joe Pride’s Destiny Kiss in this Friday’s Gosford Gold Cup. The 5yo has finished within a length of the winner in both the Summer and Tatt’s Cup after getting a long way back in the run. He’s conqueror last start in the Summer Cup, I’m Imposing is one of two runners for Chris Waller whilst fellow Rosehill trainer Sam Kavanagh, has a good chance of recording his first Stakes when in New South Wales since relocating from Victoria, with former import Midnight Sun.
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1. WESTERN SYMBOL – T Berry (4) 59kgs
Kicked off this campaign two starts ago in the G2 Villers Stakes (1550m) where, from a wide gate, he got a long way back in a race dominated by those up front and finished eleventh (4.1 lengths) behind Ninth Legion. The 7yo trained by Gai Waterhouse then blew alarmingly in betting (11/1 – 30/1) at his next start in a Canterbury Open class race and ran accordingly. He folded from an on-pace position in the straight to run second to last and close to seven lengths from the winner Messene. Step up to 2100m and a good run from gate four, should see a much better performance from the Group winning stayer.
2. BRIGANTIN – J Bowman (7)
Had his first run for Chris Waller after previously being under the care of Pat Carey, just over a week ago in a Open class race at Canterbury. The 7yo started at 66/1 over the unsuitable distance of 1550m but should’ve finished closer than his fifth (4.4 lengths) behind Messene after finding trouble in the straight. Was only able to stretch out late last start and the step up to 2100m for the former well performed import, can only be a plus. Will pay to include.
3. DESTINY’S KISS – C Reith (3)
Three good runs back from a spell had this son of Power and Destiny primed for G3 Summer Cup (2000m) two runs back. Punters made him the 11/4 favourite but from the outside draw, he got back to last from where he had to circle the field from the 700m. He finished third to I’m Imposing but lost no admirers with his effort and therefore, started the 10/9 favourite in the Tatt’s Cup last start. Travolta led in the race and had the field strung out and chasing as they turned for home. Destiny’s Kiss attempt to run down the leaders was again a valiant one but unfortunately for punters, he again fell just short, running third to Permit by half a length. Will no doubt be in the thick of things again and will prove hard to beat.
4. I’M IMPOSING – B Shinn (6)
Just a plain run first up off a seven week spell when eighth of twelve in a BM 95 (1400m) before the combination of a step up in distance, added fitness and a weight drop of 3kgs, saw him tough out a good win in the G3 Summer Cup (2000m) defeating Travolta. He was afforded a lovely run throughout in that race by Shinn and should gain one here as well just off the pace. Fitter again but will need to be as he meets Destiny’s Kiss 2.5kgs worse at the weights from their last clash.
5. MIDSUMMER SUN – G Schofield (8)
After finishing fourth in the WFA G2 Zipping Classic back in November, the former imported galloper had a month off before lining up in the G3 Summer Cup (2000m). From the inside gate, he settled on the leader’s back and given the break between runs, his effort to stick on for fifth was a credible one. Drawn poorly here and will be giving them a start however he’ll be better for the Summer Cup hit-out and would rate an each-way chance.
6. FROZEN ROPE – T Clark (9) 54kgs
Has had five runs back from a six month spell but failed to show any sign of form at any of them. The 6yo ran second to last two starts ago in the Atc Cup (2000m) then a month later, at his most recent start, finishing ninth and close to a dozen lengths from I’m Imposing in the Summer Cup. Entitled to be big odds.
7. HONOUORABLE AUSSIE – B Avdulla (2) 54kgs
Five of his last seven wins have been at the Canterbury circuit over 1900m, I guess a 2100m race on the Gosford track was as close as they could find to match those conditions. Generally likes to roll along out in front and hasn’t been able to secure that position in his past two runs – the latest of which resulted in a sixth (4.5 lengths) to Messene at Canterbury. He’ll be able to lead today though from gate two and with a light weight but in this, his first ever attempt in a Stakes race, it’s the class that should pull him.
8. SOLEMN – (1) 54kgs
The Darley runner won second up from a spell after securing a beaut run in transit in a BM 85 (1550m) before again getting the run of the race and, in the same grade, registering another good win. He then took the step up in grade to the G3 Summer Cup but found little peace in the run from an inside gate and ended up finishing a well beaten last. Better horse than that but has come up gate one here as well and too hard to have off his last start.
9. JOHNNY’S DREAM – (5) 54kgs
Two starts ago he won a Taree Class 1 (2000m) – his second career win at start number forty-five. Has been well beaten in two subsequent runs including a long last in the Tatt’s Cup. No.
RACE OVERVIEW
Honourable Aussie should lead here and in doing so provide a nice trial for Western Symbol who’ll cross from a wider gate. Expecting a much better run from him here and he’ll be in the right spot throughout. So to should be Destiny’s Kiss. Reith will have him mid-field, one of the fence and ready to make his move before the turn. His last two starts have been excellent and for his followers, if there’s anything left in the kitty after having his last two starts, stick with him. Waller’s pair I’m Imposing and Brigantin to complete the top four.
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1. DESTINY’S KISS
2. BRIGANTIN
3. I’M IMPOSING
4. WESTERN SYMBOL
