Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Gosford on 7 December 2023.
Best Bet: STORM THE RAMPARTS (Race 5)
Value Bet: BAK DA MAN (Race 7)
Jackpot (race 4 – 7)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
7 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
9 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
1 |
| 3 | 6 |
2 |
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6 |
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Cost: R90.00
Race 4
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. Of the raced runners, two 3-year-old fillies could fight out the finish and complete the exacta, but HOT JIVE may well prove to be the better. She put her disappointing penultimate start over 1100M behind her when finishing second next time out over five furlongs, beaten just a head. She finished strongly from some way back that day and from draw six, she should be doing her best work late.
RUSSIAN ZARINA finished third on debut over five furlongs and then second next time out over the same sprint trip, 1.3L behind the winner. She stayed on well in that event and would have come on further with that run under her belt. From one gate outside the top choice, she should be right up there when they hit the line.
DIFFERENT ROAD is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out over 1100M, 0.7L back from the winner, when returning from a 31-week break and for his new trainer. He battled all the way down to the wire in that event and from his handy draw two, he should be included in all bets.
Race 5
STORM THE RAMPARTS has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over five furlongs, when returning from a 31-week spell and a change of trainers, with a second-place finish next time out over the same trip, just a neck back from the winner. It should however be noted that he jumped awkwardly bumping another runner that day, took a heavy bump at the 800M mark, before coming three wide into the home straight and shifting inwards over the final 75M, so he had plenty of excuses. The gelding gets gate five and is made the best bet on the day’s card.
COSY CORNER is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has cracked pole position and her last three runs have produced a second over six furlongs, a win in her penultimate outing over this c&d and then another second last time out again over today’s c&d, just under a half-length off the winner. She jumped awkwardly in that contest, but recovered quickly to pick up the lead, only to be collared just short of the post. She could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.
FAMEUX put 6.3L between himself and the opposition to win his last start over 1100m when returning from a 19-week break. He jumped awkwardly but managed to race just behind the leaders before striking the front at the top of the home straight and the result was never in doubt from that point. The gelding has pulled a wideish draw eight, but he should nevertheless be involved in the finish.
Race 6
MARTIAL MUSIC showed plenty of toe to win his last start over five furlongs by 1.8L. He has his peak run after returning from a 23-week break and from draw seven, he could be good enough chalk up a quick double.
WHO GOES THERE goes for his hat-trick after a debut win over five furlongs, followed up by a 1.5L victory over the same five furlongs next time out. He jumped awkwardly that day but recovered smartly to show the way and then held off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire. The gelding returns from a 29-week spell but has had then two barrier trials, winning the latest to showcase his well-being. He jumps from a useful gate two and the trio is very much on the cards.
TEMPLE RUN had consistent formlines to his credit before being a tad disappointing when finishing fifth last time out over five furlongs, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner, but he did race three wide behind the leading group, before staying on over the closing stages. The gelding has pulled gate five and should not be lightly dismissed.
Race 7
The day’s value bet, BAK DA MAN was bumped at the start and had to be held up at the top of the home stretch, before finishing well to end up in second spot last time out over 2300M, 1.3L behind the winner. The gelding returns from an 18-week rest, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest. He has a cosy draw three and will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. The drop in trip should not present the gelding with any issues.
HUNTER BRED finished third in his last three outings and closer to the winner in each of them, the latest over 1500m, 0.7L behind the winner, but nothing went his way that day. He jumped awkwardly bumping another runner, overraced in the early stages, was checked at the 1000M pole and then had to be held up between the 400M and 150M mark, so that effort was commendable. He will have to negotiate a wide draw nine, but with better luck in running, he should be a big runner here.
STREET CANDI is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she had finished second in her two runs before ending up in ninth spot last time out over a mile, 4.7L adrift of the victor, but she overraced in the middle stages in that event and did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight. She jumps from gate six and will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways today.
