Australian racing tips – Thursday 5 October 2023 – Gosford

Race 5

There are four unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether any of the connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. It should also be noted that the form of the raced runners is also weak, so extra caution is suggested. However, of the raced runners, BALMIERRO may well prove to be the best. The colt finished eighth on debut over six furlongs and then was slow away and hung in down the home straight when finishing third next time out over the same sprint trip, 2.3L behind the winner. He returns from a 16 week break, but has had two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest. Whilst drawn wide in gate twelve, he gets the services of in-form, non- claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd to aid his cause.

Two 4yr old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to ALVINA’S LUCK, who jumped awkwardly, but recovered quickly to take up the lead, before ending up in seventh place last time out over seven furlongs, 3.2L back from the winner. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and although drawn wideish in gate eight, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

BETTER THAN ANYONE has cracked pole position and was returning from a 32 week spell and hung in from the 250M pole to finish fourth last time out over 1100M, 3.8L off the winner. She will have ex-SA jockey Brandon Lerena in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle.     

Race 6

RHETTARA has only had two runs to date, finishing nineth on debut over six furlongs and then showing the expected improvement to win by one and a half lengths next time out over five furlongs. She raced four wide without cover that day, but finished off her race strongly, suggesting that the extra ground on offer here would be to her liking. She has pulled draw five and with Zac Lloyd retaining the ride, she is made the best bet on the day’s card.

EAGLE NEST jumped awkwardly, but stayed on well to finish sixth in her latest outing over five furlongs, just under four lengths off the victor. She returns from a 16 week rest, but has had the benefit of a barrier trial and from one gate outside the top choice, she could prove to be her biggest danger.

PERFECT PROPOSAL won her penultimate start over 1100M and then tried to go from jump to wire before finishing seventh last time out over six furlongs, 8.3L adrift of the winner. From her handy draw two, she is likely to attempt similar tactics today and should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, THE KING has finished second in his last two runs, the latest over 1100M, just a neck behind the winner, but he was bumped at the start, before striking the front at the 120M mark, only to be grabbed in the shadow of the post. The colt has his peak run after returning from a 13 week rest and from his useful draw four, he will be hoping to go one better today.

He renews his rivalry with LOS PADRES who was the winner of the race referred to above. He came three wide into the home straight in that event, but finished off his race strongly. The gelding is drawn in gate six, but as he now meets the former on 1.5kg worse terms today, he may well battle to confirm that last result.

SHARP SHOCK has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1300M with a fifth place finish next time out over five furlongs, two and a half lengths back from the winner, but he was slow away, raced wide without cover the whole way and then did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight. He was returning from a 25 week absence that day and he should put his pole position to good use.

Race 8

STATE OF AMERICA won over ten furlongs three runs back, finished third in his penultimate start over 1900M and then tenth in his latest outing over nine furlongs, 2.8L behind the winner, but he had to be held up at the 300M mark and from then on, he did not see daylight all the way down to the winning post, so that effort is best ignored. The gelding is drawn the widest of them all in gate nine, but is trained by ex-SA jockey/trainer David Payne and could complete a red-letter day for Zac Lloyd.

SILVAKIA is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three starts, the latest when fourth over a mile, 4.3L behind the winner. She was slow away in that event and had little luck down the home stretch, only seeing daylight at the 200M mark. She has a cozy gate four and will be having her peak run for her new trainer, since returning from a 16 week break.

VINCENZO had solid form prior to being a tad disappointing when ending up in seventh spot last time out over nine furlongs, 8.7L adrift of the victor, but he was bumped and checked at the 500M mark, so a line should be drawn through that effort. The gelding is drawn one outside the latter and with better luck in running, he should not be lightly dismissed.