Massive day of racing on the Gold Coast this afternoon with the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes our feature. There’s another 5 Group & Listed events scattered throughout the day as the Winter Carnival really starts to take shape.
Plenty of rain around last weekend & Wednesday have resulted in a Heavy (8) surface being posted this morning, the consensus is we should get back into the Soft range at some stage. I’d expect the jockeys to head for the middle of the track once into the straight, the rails section is likely to be avoided.
Best Bets
Race 4 # 3 RACECOURSE ROAD
Speedy customer from the Kelly Schweida yard who is in flying form this prep having won both starts with one being here over the shorter 900m trip. 5 of his 9 victories have been over 1200m including the latest so he’ll run the distance right out & is very effective on wet ground having won that recent race here on a Heavy (9). He’ll settle in the first three, possibly even in front & appears the one to beat.
Race 2 # 3 USMANOV
Freshened up after finishing out of the placings down south when far from disgraced. Returns to his home/favourite track where he loves the short 900m trip & will lap up the damp ground. Can see him sitting in the first three, can’t see him leading Sugar Boom however that mare whilst likely to give a sight would be far more effective on dry ground, for mine she’s a real risk today in the wet…
BEST VALUE
Race 1 # 8 I COULD DO BETTER
Really caught the eye very late at Doomben last start over the mile trip. Hard to believe he was still last with 150 metres to go before getting a go on closing off between rivals to be beaten less than 3 lengths. The additional trip plays into his hands this afternoon & he has handled wet ground in the past, note he’s also been very heavily backed in early markets.
Race 7 # 3 SIMPLY FLY__
Full of tricks this bloke as he showed when bucking soon after the start last time out at Doomben dislodging Steph Thornton after taking fright at some seagulls, that was a new one even for him! His previous form was excellent which included a big finishing win here to land the rich Jewel race earlier in the year. Loves is wet & will be storming home late!
GOLD COAST (HEAVY/SOFT TRACK)
Race 1 – 8, 1, 13, 5
Race 2 – 3, 6, 2, 1
Race 3 – 5, 6, 2, 1
Race 4 – 3, 5, 2, 8
Race 5 – 4, 7, 5, 3
Race 6 – 4, 1, 13, 2
Race 7 – 3, 5, 6, 1
Race 8 – 2, 3, 7, 1
Race 9 – 5, 7, 16, 3
QUADDIE
4, 1, 13, 2
3, 5, 6, 1, 2
2, 3, 7
5, 7, 16, 3