The second best meeting run at the Gold Coast will take place on Saturday- GCTC A.D. Hollindale Stakes Day. The drawcard event is the $300,000 Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m). This race has always been a very good guide to the Doomben Cup (2020m) and all eyes will be on the import representing Anthony Freedman, Mawingo.
The $175,000 Listed Carlton Draught Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m) is always a great spectacle and that should be the case again. If Phelan Ready produced his stunning fourth in the Newmarket behind Hay List, he’d go very close to winning. Metallurgical does appear to be one of the hardest to beat given his game win the other day at Eagle Farm.
The other four blacktype events are the $150,000 Listed Attwood Marshall Lawyers Silk Stocking (1200m), the $125,000 Listed Roger Hawke Gold Coast Guineas (1200m), The $125,000 Listed H Harvey Prestige Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) and the $100,000 Listed Moreton Hire Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m).
Race One: Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation Handicap 2200m Form Guide
Back Me: Punters should kick off the day on the right note thanks to Fruehling. The import produced a powerful burst to win at Sandown before cruising away to an easy win over 2000m at Werribee. The form has held up with Darwin, who finished fourth, winning last Sunday at Ararat.
Don’t Back Me: Just not sure about Shamardashing. His win last start was a very weak staying race. He might find a couple of these too strong.
Big Danger: Viking Hero is the best horse in the race, but barrier one is a huge disadvantage given he needs galloping space. In saying that, class will just about get him home.
Roughie: Break The Ice is a cat. He never wins, but is near the first four most of the time.
Race Two: Green Guide Handicap (C6) 1400m Form Guide
Back Me: Going for some value with Ausworld. Loomed up to win last start but just felt the pinch and couldn’t quite lift under the 58.5kg. Drops 3kg and the 1400m does suit him. Good each-way bet for me.
Don’t Back Me: Thefifthhole only knows one way to race- lead. From barrier 18, it will take a massive effort for him to win.
Big Danger: Triskele is a gallant horse who is in a purple patch of form. He’ll get the perfect trip and will appreciate the soft going.
Roughie: Machination ran a solid race behind Oak Street after sitting outside that particular horse. He meets Oak Street 4kg better at the weights, inside barrier and rock hard fit, which is important on a wet track.
Race Three: Surfers Paradise RSL Handicap (90) 1200m Form Guide
Back Me: The first good thing on the program- Rocker. He only won by a nose when resuming, but it was still a powerful effort. Runs well second up, he should get cover from the gate and sprint home to win.
Don’t Back Me: Emvoss has a touch of class on his side and is unbeaten fresh, but based on what I saw in his latest barrier trial, he’ll need this run.
Danger: General Purple was a little bit unlucky in a Listed race at Eagle Farm behind Metallurgical after racing with not much room over the concluding stages. Massive drop in grade should see this bloke prove hard to beat.
Roughie: Blue Jupiter has been racing in ok fashion of late without troubling the judge. He has the rails draw here, on the minimum and jockey Paul Hammersley rides the Gold Coast track better than most. He’ll guide this horse on the right path.
Race Four: Moreton Ken Russell Memorial Classic 1200m Form Guide
Back Me: I reckon this is the race of the day. So much depth and class here. I’m sticking with Dansal. Should have won his last start but has had no luck getting clear space. Larry Cassidy will make sure she gets clear space. She is fit as well.
Don’t Back Me: I like Dances On Stars, but I don’t think this is his race from the wide gate.
Big Danger: Sizzling is the class runner by a long way. Munce will have to overcome the tough draw, but if he gets some cover, he will be hitting the line better than anything. Hoss Amor is the other class factor who will run well from the lovely barrier.
Roughie: Marsa hasn’t had much luck in all three career starts. He is a horse to follow for sure. Perhaps can’t win here, can place, but wait for him until the Sires Produce and TJ Smith.
Race Five: Attwood Marshall Gold Coast Silk Stocking 1200m Form Guide
Back Me: Mascareri a special for me. She should get the gun run behind Saraji, overpower her at the 200m and kick clear to record a much needed win for the Darley team, which has been in dreadful form of late.
Don’t Back Me: If Gai has cast off a horse, that means it is no good. Therefore, steer clear from Montana Flyer.
Big Danger: Saraji should get a rather comfortable lead from the perfect gate. She is in form, handles the wet well and weighted well. 1200m is the big query, but the easy time in front should offset that.
Roughie: Alltherightmoves ran a strong first up performance behind Cape Kidnappers at Eagle Farm. Unbeaten second up, on her home track and near unbeatable in the mud.
Race Six: H Harvey Prestige Gold Coast Bracelet 1800m Form Guide
Back Me: Another ripping race. Cheering for Pretty Pins. I thought her run at Doomben when resuming was a beauty after getting well back. 1800m, tick. Wet track, tick. Trainer/jockey combo, tick. And she does have plenty of upside.
Don’t Back Me: Hidden Jewel is a lovely filly with above average ability. However, 1800m against this calibre of horse will be a big task. Not for me.
Big Danger: New Zealand Oaks winner Miss Artistic has class and some form around class gallopers eg Planet Rock. She might need this run to tune up for the Doomben Roses, but the class will carry her a long way towards victory.
Roughie: Scorpio Queen had no hope behind Landing due to the pace being very slow and she was sitting well back. More pace here and added fitness here should see her run a competitive race.
Race Seven: Carlton Draught Prime Minister’s Cup 1300m Form Guide
Back Me: Probably lacking depth compared to past editions of this race. Phelan Ready was a bit unlucky in the Newmarket. He sat last, took time to wind up and flashed home for fourth whilst throwing a shoe so his effort was outstanding. If he holds that sort of form, then he goes very close to winning.
Don’t Back Me: Mid Summer Music from barrier 15 with 57kg against the blokes…she doesn’t deserve to be favourite.
Big Danger: Metallurgical hit the front and fought on like a tiger to win last start at Eagle Farm. He is fitter now and should get the pace required for him to charge home late.
Roughie: Dalzar was less than two lengths behind Metallurgical last start in what can be described as a solid fresh run. If they go mad in front, this veteran could easily sneak in the money.
Race Eight: GCTC A.D. Hollindale Stakes 1800m Form Guide
Back Me: If the track firms up, then the $3.40 for Mawingo is a gift. Toyed with a strong field at Flemington at his Australian debut and should only improve from that. Admittedly, it is a big test for him, but I’m happy to stick with Freedman’s judgement.
Don’t Back Me: Lights Of Heaven hasn’t done much for the past 14 months. No idea why she is $6.50. She should be double that. Big
Danger: Shez Sinsational is arguably the best mare in New Zealand racing. She was quite simply brilliant in her return to racing last start at Tauranga over 1400m. Fresh from her Auckland triumph, she sat last in a small field, peeled out four and five wide and unleashed her wonderful turn of speed to get up near the post.
Roughie: $51 for Shuffle The Cash to win is probably right, but the $12.11 for the place is tempting given he made up a stack of ground behind Ginga Dude at Eagle Farm. WFA isn’t his go, but he should still run on at the end.
Race Nine: Roger Hawke Gold Coast Guineas 1200m Form Guide
Back Me: I can’t see Easy Running getting beat here. He is my best bet of the day after producing a splendid first up win over Didntcostalot. Again, he should get the perfect trip and win.
Don’t Back Me: Morning Captain won well last start, and that form has been franked with Trump winning on Wednesday, but the wide barrier will force Munce to produce a gem of a ride in order to maintain his unbeaten preparation.
Big Danger: Florentina produces her best runs when fresh and she is exactly that here after a couple of nice barrier trial wins. She should get the dream sit either beside Easy Running and/or in the box seat. Hard to beat.
Roughie: Don’t rule out Biggles. He was off the bit throughout his barrier trial run last week but once he got balanced up in the straight, gee he got to the line nicely. He is in for a very good campaign.
