Australian Racing – Friday 27 August 2021 – – Gosford

Race 5

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. The contest is made even more difficult with two runners from strong stables having their first outings, 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 their connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for either or both of these runners should be respected. Of the raced entrants, BEEP TEST may prove to be the best. She is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has only had the two runs to date, finishing second on debut over 1100M and then sixth next time out over the same trip, 4.7L behind the winner, but she did come three wide into the home straight that day. She has finished third in a subsequent barrier trial and notwithstanding a wideish gate nine, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

UNCLE AL PAL has cracked pole position and finished strongly when ending up in fourth place last time out over six furlongs, 2.8L back from the winner. He has the cheek pieces removed for the first time and has his peak run after returning from a 37 week break.

BARANOF had nothing go his way when finishing tenth in his latest outing over six furlongs, 5.7L adrift of the victor. He overraced in the middle stages and had to be checked off the heels of other runners at the 900M mark, before hanging in from the 600M pole and then finally not getting the clearest passages in the home stretch, so that effort is best ignored. From a handy draw four, he should be included in all bets.

Race 6

The day’s value bet, SEPULCHRE is a 7yr old mare taking on males, but she followed up her penultimate run victory over ten furlongs with a third place finish next time out over the same c&d, 1.2L behind the winner. She stayed on well that day and seems likely to turn in another honest performance today, despite facing a wide draw eleven out of twelve.

UNAMERICAN on the other hand has pulled pole position and made good late progress when finishing eight last time out over nine furlongs, 4.7L behind the winner and he did finish third over eleven furlongs in his penultimate run, so the step up in distance should be to his liking.

VALLAURIS came four wide into the home straight when ending up in sixth spot last time out over twelve furlongs, just over six lengths off the winner, but he won over this distance three runs back. He should not be easily overlooked in this line-up.

Race 7

A 4yr and a 3yr old filly, plus a 6yr old mare could dominate the finish to this race and complete the trifecta, but the day’s best bet, HEAD ON UP is taken to lead the pack home. She has consistent formlines to her name, finishing second in her last two starts over five furlongs, the latest when just a head back from the winner. She was returning from a 15 week rest that day and was only caught in the shadow of the post. From draw two, she could prove difficult to reel in today.

WINNING VERSE is seldom far off the action and jumped awkwardly when finishing second in her latest outing over today’s trip, just a short-head behind the winner. She hit the front at the 300M mark that day and was only snared on the line. She returns from a 12 week break, but did win her only barrier trial to prove her fitness and whilst facing a wide gate ten, she could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

ON HER WORD is another who is seldom too far off the winner and although recorded as finishing fifth in her last start over six furlongs, she was just 1.3L back from the winner. She had to weave her way through the traffic that day, so did well to finish as close to the victor as she did. From a kinder draw six, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 8

NEW TYCOON showed marked improvement when finishing second last time out over 1500M, just 0.8L behind the winner. He jumped awkwardly that day, but stayed on well over the latter stages of the contest and on that effort, he should have no issue with the step up in trip.

He jumps from a handy draw two and renews his rivalry with BIG SURPRISE who finished third in the race mentioned above, 1.2L back from the winner. The latter has finished closer to the winner in his last three runs, but as he faces the former on just 0.5kgs better terms and will start from a wider gate eight, he may have to settle for the same result.

KYPREOS recorded solid improvement in his last start over seven furlongs, finishing just a neck behind the winner. He is drawn in gate five and has his peak run after returning from a 28 week absence. He should not be overlooked here.