Gosford races on Thursday with seven races, starting at 1:20pm. The track was rated a Soft 5. It is mostly a maiden and lower-grade card, so first-starters and trial form are important in several races.
Freddie Bassett in Race 6 is our best bet. Sapling (Race 1) and Unbridled Storm (Race 5) are also short-priced runners we rate highly. Lions Eyes is our each-way value in Race 3.
Race 1 - Paul Finn Memorial Midway Class 1 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Sapling Current odds: $2.00
Sapling resumes after 18 weeks off a trial win and drops back to an easier grade after a run at Randwick. He looks the one to beat. El Qasabi is from a good stable and drops to a country race, so he is good value at the price. Prince De Vega has placed twice this preparation and has a good draw. Sun To Me won first-up and ran second at Newcastle on a soft track.
Selections:
- Sapling - $2.00
- El Qasabi - $9.50
- Prince De Vega - $5.50
- Sun To Me - $5.00
Race 2 - Central Coast Community News Super Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: Pearl Of Dubai Current odds: $2.90
Pearl Of Dubai has placed in every start, all as favourite. She has a good draw and drops from Rosehill to country company. Stonecrest is the favourite on debut for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott after winning a Randwick trial, so watch the betting. Thyme To Go resumes off a trial win and ran third at Kembla Grange earlier in his career. This looks like a race between these three.
Selections:
- Pearl Of Dubai - $2.90
- Stonecrest - $2.30
- Thyme To Go - $3.10
- North Counsel - $11.00
Race 3 - Creightons Funeral Service 3yo&up Maiden Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Lions Eyes Current odds: $6.00
Lions Eyes has placed at both runs, including a second at Hawkesbury, and is our each-way play. The wide draw is the main concern. Usain Boss is the favourite after a second at Tamworth and drops in distance and weight. Hy is first-up after 15 weeks but has run well both times. Responsibility is a first-starter from a strong stable and is worth watching in the betting.
Selections:
- Lions Eyes - $6.00
- Usain Boss - $4.00
- Hy - $4.80
- Responsibility - $13.00
Race 4 - The Grand Saddles Provincial Maiden Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Belle Chanteuse Current odds: $2.40
Belle Chanteuse ran third at Warwick Farm and drops to a provincial maiden. She is from a good stable and looks the one to beat. Cool Summer Nights placed first-up at Tamworth and has drawn the rail, so she should get the run of the race. Extra Special is from a strong stable, and What A Gent is a consistent placegetter who was beaten half a length at Taree.
Selections:
- Belle Chanteuse - $2.40
- Cool Summer Nights - $4.80
- Extra Special - $4.60
- What A Gent - $10.00
Race 5 - Central Coast NSW Legacy BM64 Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Unbridled Storm Current odds: $2.50
Unbridled Storm has won at Hawkesbury and placed twice this preparation, including a third at Warwick Farm. He drops in grade and has drawn barrier 1. Even with more weight, he looks hard to beat. Federal Reserve backs up after a fourth at Wyong, and Pentagon was caught late at Hawkesbury. Showmara led all the way to win at Hawkesbury and is an each-way option.
Selections:
- Unbridled Storm - $2.50
- Federal Reserve - $4.40
- Pentagon - $4.40
- Showmara - $6.00
Race 6 - The Ary, Toukley Class 1 & Maiden Plate (2030m)
Selection: Freddie Bassett Current odds: $2.10
Freddie Bassett drops to a country Class 1 after a fifth at Newcastle and looks ready to win. This is our best bet of the day. Liyah’s Girl finished strongly at Canberra and has won at Newcastle this preparation, so she is the main danger. Scoish Maloish was just beaten at long odds at Hawkesbury, and Don’s Party wears a tongue tie for the first time and handles a wet track.
Selections:
- Freddie Bassett - $2.10
- Liyah’s Girl - $4.00
- Scoish Maloish - $5.50
- Don’s Party - $8.50
Race 7 - Mr & Mrs Duggan 44th Anniversary BM64 Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Scuro Star Current odds: $3.10
Scuro Star resumes after 19 weeks. She won or placed in both career starts and should show early speed. Chemtrail has won twice this campaign and ran second at Kembla Grange, so she is the main danger. Portico has placed twice from three runs this preparation, and Ex Wife led all the way to win at Port Macquarie and has won twice on soft ground.
Selections:
- Scuro Star - $3.10
- Chemtrail - $4.20
- Portico - $4.80
- Ex Wife - $12.00
