Gosford — Soft 5
R1 – Central Coast Motor Group Maiden Handicap (1600m)
This shapes as a battle between the two market leaders. LEGO MASTER comes from a powerful stable and has been ultra-consistent this preparation, making him the one to beat. ARTIE STEAMER was unlucky when narrowly denied last time and must be respected again. DISGRUNTLED wasn’t disgraced last start and can be included wider, while SO SUPERIOR resumes after a promising trial and adds depth to exotics.
Selections
2. Lego Master (4) — $2.15
- Artie Steamer (3) — $1.95
- Disgruntled (6) — $15.00
- So Superior (5) — $8.00
R2 – Mangrove Mountain Memorial Club Maiden Plate (1200m)
The top two dominate the market. WAN LOST went close on debut on soft going and looks primed to go one better. SHE’S A DAME returns from a break with trial support and rates strongly. Debutant AUSBRED HED'N'TAIL is one to watch closely, while ACTION NOT WORDS also makes his first appearance and shouldn’t be ignored.
Selections
2. Wan Lost (7) — $3.90
5. She’s A Dame (3) — $9.50
3. Ausbred Hed’n'tail (5) — $3.10
6. Action Not Words (6) — $8.00
R3 – Gosford RSL F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m)
Recent winner MERCY ME loves racing here and looks the benchmark again. GREAT HEIGHTS resumes after a short break following a maiden victory and stays in the mix. ARE EE QUE usually improves second-up and has claims, while AT HER MERCY also comes off a win and can run well at odds.
Selections
5. Mercy Me (3) — $3.00
2. Great Heights (8) — $8.50
- Are Ee Que (5) — $11.00
- At Her Mercy (4) — $3.00
R4 – IP Advokat Benchmark 64 Handicap (2100m)
Stayer TAINUI ran well last time and gets conditions to suit, making him a genuine contender. DE LOUVIERE has solid form around stronger races and appeals each-way. DASH BY is another who can feature late, while CAN’T RECALL ONE drops in grade and shouldn’t be dismissed.
Selections
2. Tainui (7) — $8.00
9. De Louviere (9) — $4.80
8. Dash By (8) — $12.00
3. Can’t Recall One (5) — $9.00
R5 – Nova Coast Services Super Maiden Handicap (1000m)
This looks tightly contested at the top. PELEUS returns from a break with trial form and shapes as a major player. CHARKA also resumes but has impressed in recent hit-outs. BIVACCO went agonisingly close first-up and looms as a threat, while SHE’S ASSORT resumes after a narrow defeat on debut and adds further intrigue.
Selections
2. Peleus (3) — $5.00
8. Charka (2) — $5.00
4. Bivacco (8) — $7.00
5. She’s Assort (12) — $5.00
R6 – Guardian Safety Solutions Midway BM64 Handicap (1000m)
JUST AWESOME has strong Gosford form and looks the horse to beat again. BANJORA impressed winning here previously and remains a serious threat. DEFIANT HEART keeps finding the line and could surprise, while STRATAFY resumes with trial form suggesting he’s ready to run well.
Selections
3. Just Awesome (3) — $3.80
2. Banjora (4) — $1.95
- Defiant Heart (2) — $9.00
- Stratafy (5) — $14.00
R7 – Central Coast Granite CG&E BM64 Handicap (1100m)
The in-form FERINZO is chasing a third straight win and looks hard to stop. GAMBLER has been close-up recently and should be prominent again. TRANSGRESS resumes with gear changes and has upside, while ASTRONOMIX drops back to non-metro grade after winning in town and must be kept safe.
Selections
5. Ferinzo (8) — $3.90
8. Gambler (7) — $8.00
9. Transgress (6) — $8.00
2. Astronomix (4) — $2.50