Gosford will host New South Wales’ major metro meeting this weekend, and the second running of The Coast headlines the program.
The rail will be left in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Heavy (8) range.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – Vital Hospitality Group 2YO Handicap (1200m)
Resonator takes winning form and improvement into the first at Gosford on The Coast Day, and he can win again.
The Brazen Beau gelding finished midfield in the Breeders’ Plate on debut in October and was immediately put away, and he completed an ideal return at Canterbury late last month.
Race 2 – Highway Handicap (1200m)
I am a little concerned about how much Easy Rosie might have to do to find the lead from barrier 14, but with a clear passage early, I think that she can win this week’s Highway race.
The Super Easy filly was a strong and consistent performer last time in, and she returned in April for a lovely win at Canberra.
She’s a month between starts, but does tend to keep her best for her fresh efforts
Bet Now: 2 Units E/W Easy Rosie
Race 3 – Midway BM72 Handicap (1200m)
This is one of the most open races of the day, and at publish, we’re faced with more than $7 the field.
Two Up has raced consistently this time, and he rates as a live each way chance again.
The Dane Shadow gelding has been up and racing for some time, but he has continued to return high quality performances, and he is unlucky to have finished second at each of his last three starts.
He’s rock-hard fit, and we can have something on each way at around the $13 mark.
Race 4 – Triple M 107.7 Thunder Thousand BM72 Handicap (1000m)
Siege can win the fourth on The Coast Day.
Siege hasn’t been seen at the races since October, but she is also yet to return a poor effort, and has recorded two wins and a minor from her three career starts.
She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead-up to her return, she gets into the race well with 55.5kgs, and the booking of Rachel King also doesn’t hurt her chances.
Race 5 – Byrne Pipe And Civil BM78 Handicap (2080m)
Hameron boasts plenty of upside, and this looks a great opportunity for him to strike on a Saturday.
The Night Of Thunder gelding stamped himself as one to watch with an easy win on debut at Ballarat in March, and he has since finished second in races at Ladbrokes Park and Canterbury.
He’s another who gets into his race extremely well at the weights this week, and with appropriate luck in running, he can win.
Race 6 – Brook Group 3&4YO BM72 Handicap (1600m)
Diamil has returned some nice efforts back this time, and he can record another win at Gosford on Saturday.
The Awtaad entire kept his best work for late into second at Canterbury on debut in Australia, and he converted a lovely win over some good horses at Warwick Farm second-up.
He was credible in Saturday company at Randwick a fortnight ago, and he strikes this contest in peak order.
Race 7 – Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2080m)
Some talented horses will step out in the Gosford Gold Cup field, but perhaps none moreso than Great House.
Great House has been a great horse for the Waller stable for several seasons now, and he seems to improve each time that he comes into work.
He’s yet to salute in three starts this year, but this is probably the easiest task that he has been set, and he’s been freshened since his last effort for eighth in the Chairman’s Handicap.
Race 8 – Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m)
It’s probably going to be a heavy track at Gosford on Saturday, and for that reason, I can’t look past Shelby Sixtysix.
His rise to prominence this year has been something to behold, but the win the Group 1 The Galaxy was the obvious highlight, and he has knocked off some of the world’s best sprinters.
I’m happy to put a line through last week’s run on the good at Caulfield, and this is a far more appropriate target.
Bet Now: 6 Units Shelby Sixtysix
Race 9 – The Coast (1600m)
The inaugural running of The Coast has drawn a classy field, but Steinem is the one that I want to be with.
She’s returned several excellent efforts during her ten-start career, winning three times and finding form around some genuine Group 1 horses.
She strips fitter for two starts back this time, the in-form Brenton Avdulla takes the ride, and she’s another whom we can back each way at around the $11 mark.
Race 10 – Tooheys BM78 Handicap (1200m)
Battleton resumes in the last on The Coast Day, and he looks the one to beat.
The Zoustar gelding was excellent during his debut prep, winning his first two starts and finishing second in the Listed Brian Crowley before ending his campaign fifth in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
He’s had a couple of trials in the lead-up to his return, and this looks a lovely launchpad.