Thursday's race meeting at Gosford shapes as an intriguing card on a heavy track, with a mix of lightly raced youngsters, resuming gallopers and debutants headlining the day's action. Here is a full race-by-race preview and selection guide for punters heading into the meeting.
Early Races: Debutants and Lightly Raced Prospects Set the Scene
The opening race features Audaciously Frank as the standout selection. The lightly raced galloper has had just two starts, debuting with a sixth at Newcastle before improving markedly to finish a close-up second at the same track, finishing off strongly. Sticking at the mile, he looks primed to peak at his third run. Dangers include Rouladen, who returned from a spell to finish fourth at Nowra on his second run back, beaten by a length, and shapes as though the step up in distance will suit. Royal And Ready has had two starts, following an unplaced debut as favourite with a placing at Newcastle, while Mr Bohemian disappointed on debut at Gunnedah but has since posted two sound runs at Scone and Tamworth and cannot be dismissed. Best bet: Audaciously Frank to win.
Race two is a maiden affair featuring a number of first-starters and resumers. Iniesta was well supported on debut at Kensington but failed to beat a runner home before bouncing back with a fifth at Scone. He has since performed well in two trials and a forward showing looks likely on return. World Wide showed talent across three runs earlier in the year and also comes to this off two solid trials, while Stronghold won his most recent trial at Rosehill late last month heading into his first race start. Lighthorseman has trialled multiple times and ran second at Warwick Farm in his most recent heat. Best bet: Iniesta to win.
Middle Races: Resumers With Strong Form Histories Draw the Eye
In race three, Herman Said returns from a spell off two trials and brings a strong record of two wins and three placings from nine starts. He was competitive in a couple of Brisbane runs prior to his break and looks ready to resume boldly. Remember Jack is also first-up after two trials and comes in with solid Sydney city form behind him, and should be prominent. Tartaglia showed improvement when midfield at Taree last start and can feature, while The Piccolino has won two in a row at Taree and is capable of being thereabouts again. Best bet: Herman Said to win.
Race four brings together a group of first-starters. No Limits is by a Lonhro mare and should be well suited by the rain-affected going. He won the latest of his three trials at Wyong. Ateba also debuts after three trials and ran second at Wyong in his most recent hitout, while Skyrise has won two of her three trials and warrants serious respect. Eastern Beauty ran second at Goulburn at her second start and resumes here having won her most recent trial. Best bet: No Limits to win.
Later Races: Mares Take Centre Stage
Race five sees Written Redemption, a four-year-old mare making her race debut, loom as a leading contender. She has had two barrier trials, winning the most recent on a heavy track at Warwick Farm, and draws a good gate. Bonvoy caught the eye when debuting with a solid fourth at Warwick Farm, Tigroni raced on the pace and was narrowly beaten when second at Gosford on resuming, and Avon Calling returns from a spell with a city placing already on her record. Best bet: Written Redemption each-way.
In race six, Pazyryk broke through for a strong maiden win at this track last month at first-up and draws well to get a good run here. Issy's Star has a win and three placings from eight starts and has been placed twice at first-up, Grinzinger Pod resumes for a new stable off two trials and bears close watching, and Rockin' Millie returns from a lengthy spell with two trials under her belt. Best bet: Pazyryk to win.
