Gosford has eight races on Thursday, starting at 1:15pm. The track is a Good 4. The card is mostly maidens and lower-grade handicaps, but there are some well-placed runners.
Peleus in Race 7 is the standout on form, but his price is short. Note that he also has an acceptance at Randwick on Saturday, as does Fovea (Race 8) at Cranbourne on Friday, so check that both run here. Our main bet is Made In Italy in Race 5.
Race 1 - The Ary Toukley Midway Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Ouragan Current odds: $2.90
Ouragan has placed seven times from nine runs this preparation and ran second at Hawkesbury last time. He races close to the lead and should be in the finish again. Legaselli has won at Kembla Grange and drops back to his best trip, so he is the danger. Overshadow wears a tongue tie for the first time and has the inside draw. Autumn Sky can improve after a fourth first up.
Selections:
- Ouragan - $2.90
- Legaselli - $3.30
- Overshadow - $4.80
- Autumn Sky - $4.60
Race 2 - Creightons Funeral Service Provincial Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: Hidden News Current odds: $3.80
Hidden News was close at Newcastle last start and has a good draw, so he should get a soft run. Ready Made Heir ran second at Port Macquarie and wears blinkers for the first time, so he is the main danger. We Are One is a Brad Widdup first starter worth watching in the betting. Dirty Dani faded late at Port Macquarie but placed second up at Wellington.
Selections:
- Hidden News - $3.80
- Ready Made Heir - $5.00
- We Are One - $4.80
- Dirty Dani - $9.50
Race 3 - Saddles Mount White Maiden Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Brutal Advance Current odds: $5.50
Brutal Advance has placed in all three runs this preparation and was only just beaten at Kembla Grange when well backed. He is due to win one. Tickelova was beaten by half a length first up at Newcastle and is the favourite. Lions Eyes has placed in every run this campaign. Extreme Courage ran second at Hawkesbury and is a fair each-way chance.
Selections:
- Brutal Advance - $5.50
- Tickelova - $3.60
- Lions Eyes - $8.50
- Extreme Courage - $8.50
Race 4 - Central Coast NSW Legacy Super Maiden Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Wild Courage Current odds: $5.50
Wild Courage has drawn barrier 1 and has the early speed to lead or sit just behind. He ran fourth at Newcastle and drops to an easier field. Hit The Runway is a Ciaron Maher first starter and is near the top of the market. Qayed won a trial during his break and is a good chance first up. Don’t Doubt Darcy returns from a long spell for his second start.
Selections:
- Wild Courage - $5.50
- Hit The Runway - $4.00
- Qayed - $5.00
- Don’t Doubt Darcy - $4.20
Race 5 - Doyalson-Wyee RSL Sub Branch Maiden Plate (1600m)
Selection: Made In Italy Current odds: $3.10
Made In Italy has placed twice at metro level this preparation and ran on for fifth at Warwick Farm on a soft track. Down in grade, he looks hard to beat, and he is our best bet of the day. Koibito is the favourite and has placed in every start, but he has drawn wide. Markos Port has placed in all three starts for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and is a strong danger. March had his first start at Illawarra and can improve.
Selections:
- Made In Italy - $3.10
- Koibito - $2.90
- Markos Port - $3.40
- March - $10.00
Race 6 - Ettalong Diggers Memorial Cup (2030m)
Selection: Powerful Prayer Current odds: $3.60
Powerful Prayer was just beaten at Illawarra last start and has placed three times this preparation. She carries more weight, but she finishes strongly and should run well over this longer trip. Frankie’s Boy comes from a good stable and should be fitter. Don’s Party wears a tongue tie for the first time and has won once this preparation. Wizard’s Star always finishes well.
Selections:
- Powerful Prayer - $3.60
- Frankie’s Boy - $4.20
- Don’s Party - $6.50
- Wizard’s Star - $9.50
Race 7 - Mr Edward ‘Ted’ Crawley Memorial (1100m)
Selection: Peleus Current odds: $1.75
Peleus won first up at Kembla Grange and drops to a weaker field. He looks the standout of the day and is the best multi leg on the card, as long as he runs here and not at Randwick on Saturday. Speedy Henry has a good first-up record and has placed at a trial. Donwon won at Canterbury this preparation and is the place bet. Boom Break won at Inverell but steps up in grade.
Selections:
- Peleus - $1.75
- Speedy Henry - $3.90
- Donwon - $9.00
- Boom Break - $21.00
Race 8 - Viridian Financial Group Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Fovea Current odds: $2.10
Fovea has won or placed in both starts and ran a strong second at Warwick Farm last time. She drops in grade and should race on the pace. She is also entered at Cranbourne on Friday, so confirm that she runs here. Scuro Star returns from a break after placing in both career starts and is the danger. Panta Rhei won at Scone and is in form. Ascot Green has placed at a trial since her last race.
Selections:
- Fovea - $2.10
- Scuro Star - $5.50
- Panta Rhei - $18.00
- Ascot Green - $10.00
