Australian racing tips – Thursday 06 October 2022 – Gosford

Best Bet: WAY TO THE STARS (Race 8)

Value Bet: DIAMOND CITY (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R72.00  

Race 5.

There are three 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 connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners EDGE OF REWARD may prove to be the best. His last three runs have yielded a third and two fourth place finish, the latest over six furlongs, just under four and a half lengths behind the winner and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He has his first run for his new trainer and returns from a 29 week spell, but he has had three barrier trials, winning two of them, including the latest. The gelding gets a handy draw four and if fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here.

DESI EMPEROR disappointed in his penultimate run over 1100M, but bounced back next time out and although recorded as finishing sixth over the same sprint trip, he was only just over two lengths back from the winner, this despite racing three wide throughout and the form of that race has been franked. He does return from a shorter 23 week rest, but has had the two barrier trials, winning the latest. The gelding has pulled gate six and has cheek pieces fitted for the first time. If these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here.

DREAMBENDER was slow away, but recovered quickly to take the lead, but was hampered over the closing stages before ending up in third place when making his debut over five furlongs, just over a length off the winner. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he should be included in all bets. He faces a wide draw fifteen, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 6.

As with the previous race, there are a number of unraced runners in this contest, so the same comment in respect of keeping an eye on the betting moves applies here as well.

SECAUTION is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she was friendless in the betting markets when finishing fourth first time out over 1100M, just under a length off the winner and it should be noted that she had to be held up in the home straight that day and only saw daylight at the 150M mark, before finishing off her race well. She would have come on with that run under her belt and jumping from gate five, she should give the males a good run for their money.

MAGADAN settled just behind the leaders and then came three wide into the home straight before staying on well when finishing second on debut over 1300M, 2.3L adrift of the victor. He would have come on further with that outing and although drawn wide in gate twelve, he will have ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle.

QUINLAN on the other hand has cracked pole position and showed the expected improvement when finishing third over five furlongs, 3.8L behind the winner at the second time of asking. The colt was returning from a lengthy 41 week absence that day and did come four wide into the home stretch and then hung in over the closing stages. He has finished fourth in a subsequent barrier trial and should make his presence felt in the line-up.

Race 7.

The day’s value bet, DIAMOND CITY has finished second in his last two outings, the latest over five furlongs, just a half length back when returning from a 20 week rest, but she raced three wide without no cover in that contest, but still managed to battle all the way down to the wire. She attracted plenty of betting support that day and whilst drawn wideish in gate eight, she will be looking to make amends here and could give the trainer/jockey combination of Annabel Neasham and Chad Schofield a quick double in the second and third leg of the day’s Jackpot.

ABUELA is seldom too far off the action and although recorded as finishing nineth in her latest outing over 1300M, she was just 3.8L off the winner, but she overraced and hung out in the middle stages of that event and was also reported to have made an abnormal respiratory noise that day. She has a useful gate three and will be having her peak run after returning from a 24 week spell and her jockey, ex-SA Glyn Schofield will be looking to ruin his son’s party.

ALL GIRLS had her consistency rewarded with a head victory last time out over five furlongs, when returning from a 11 week rest. She raced three wide approaching the home turn, but made good late progress over the latter stages of the race. She jumps from draw five and gets the service of 1.5kg claiming apprentice Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey Jeff Lloyd.

Race 8.

WAY TO THE STARS had solid form prior to finishing eighth last time out over 1100M, 4.7L behind the winner, but he had nothing go his way that day. He raced three wide without cover and was bumped at the 300M mark becoming unbalanced and was not seen in the contest from that point. He resumes from a 25 week break, during which time he was gelded, but he has won both of this barrier trials to showcase his well-being. Notwithstanding a wide gate fourteen, he is made the best bet on the day’s card.

TOCOMAH has finished second in his last two starts over today’s sprint trip, the latest just a head behind the victor. The gelding was bumped at the start and came four wide into the home straight, but stayed on well over the closing stages. From his kinder draw six, he could be the biggest danger to the top pick.

LONDON followed up his penultimate run victory over five furlongs with a fifth spot finish last time out over 1100M, two and a half lengths adrift of the winner, but he was bumped down at the start and was held up approaching the home turn, only seeing daylight at the 350M pole. The colt gets gate three and should be involved in the finish.