04/01/14 - Gold Coast Ladies Day

I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year.  Here's to backing many winners in 2014.  

 

We kick things off on the first Saturday of 2014 with Ladies Day at the Gold Coast.  It's the warmup to next weekend's Magic Millions.  The action will be hot on and off the track with temperatures at the Coast expected to hit 34 degrees.  Plenty to look at if you get my drift.  Mind you that will seem delightful when you consider that out here at Ipswich the mercury is set to hit 43!  Good to see sanity prevailed and the meeting at Ipswich scheduled for Saturday has been moved to Sunday pending weather conditions. 

 

The track is currently rated a good 3 and with little chance of rain and hot temperatures to continue, horses running in the first few could be advantaged by a hard surface. 

 

Gold Coast

 

Race 1

 

We kick things off with the 2 year olds.  For those that like omen bets then surely Feelin' The Heat is for you.  I'm going with the Darryl Hanson trained Burleigh Bullet (4).  This All Bar One filly ran 2nd to Celestial Dragon on debut by just over a length.  That's a pretty good form race with both Celestial Dragon and Sagatona specked in Magic Millions markets.  Burleigh Bullet will be all the more fitter for the debut run where she raced on the pace and finished strongly.  Rises in weight but gets the services of Tegan Harrison who will claim 1.5kg.  Gets a great run from barrier 5.  Other hopes to Spirit Of Joy (9), Gherardini (6) and Tales Of Fashion (5).

 

Race 2

 

Les Ross has a terrific training record at this track this year with 3 wins from 4 starters.  He saddles up Some Call Her Wild (3) in this 1800m race.  She's had 28 days rest since her last start but I think she's a quality animal.  She's won 3 of 4 career starts and her last start win over 1600m was fairly easy.  She beat Our Zidane on that occasion.  Chris Munce takes the ride and although drawn barrier 8 should be able to get the horse across into a forward position with relative ease.  Other hopes to Our Zidane (4), Rudy (1) and Navelina (5).

 

Race 3

 

Speed should be solid here with a number of those drawn out pushing forward to challenge the inside 2.  That should provide the perfect trail for Jopa (6).  He's been racing well since joining the Heathcote stables which was highlighted by his win last start at Doomben over 1350m.  In that race he burst through with 150m to go after sitting about 5th in running and then just motored to the line.  A similar tactic will see him very hard to hold out here.  Gets the services of Anthony Allen who has been riding in super form lately.  Also claims 1.5kg.  Other hopes to Bingo Rose (8), Believe'N'Receive (11) and Viking Heart (3).

***With the scratching of Bingo Rose I'll promote Daph 'N' Alf (4) to the other hopes***

 

Race 4

 

There couldn't be a more suitable name for a 900m scamper than the Bat Out Of Hell.  They'll go like cut cats here.  Going with Rocky King (2) to provide Anthony Allen a race to race double.  This guy is in great form winning his past 2 over 1000m.  The 900m won't faze him at all as he goes like the wind.  He's drawn nicely in barrier 4 so he should be able to lead and hopefully won't be headed.  Other hopes to Leealan (6), Salute To Jude (10) and Adebesi (1).

***With the scratching of Adebisi I'll promote Astronomer (11) to the other hopes***

 

Race 5

 

Into The Red (1) gives all these a lot of weight but rightly so as he's a class act.  He has come back in terrific style with a close 2nd 1st up and then a great win last start.  Chris Munce will be able to take advantage of barrier 2 and position the horse just off the speed.  If his last start win was anything to go by then he'll be hard to hold out in the straight.  Other hopes to Siegfried (11), Jet Down On It (2) and Flight King (4).

Race 6

Sticking with Walhaan (16) here.  I was on last start when he ran 4th over 1630m.  He'll be all the better for that run where he was finishing nicely.  1800m should suit now.  Geoff Goold takes the ride and can claim 3kg.  I have a feeling that Geoff can't get much lower than 54kg but I don't think that will matter.  This horse is going places.  Other hopes to Hora Sexta (6), Hi Son (4) and Solebid (5).

Race 7

I don't think this is a very strong Goldmarket.  Gai Waterhouse brings King Cobia (8) north and I doubt it's for a hair cut.  He's drawn barrier 2 and Chris Munce will take full advantage of that by taking up the lead or box seat.  He's in great form with a last start win and a 2nd to the very much in form Terravista the start prior.  I just feel that he'll be in a better position entering the straight than many of his rivals and will prove very hard to catch.   Other hopes to Morning Captain (2), Ollie Vollie (4) and Signified (6).

Race 8

Jacquetta (10) is a horse I have a lot of time for.  After a solid run over 1350m last start she drops back to her favourite distance of 1200m here.  Her record is outstanding over this trip with 5 wins and 2 placings from 7 starts.  She won her only start at the track.  There should be solid speed in this so a midfield position looks likely.  I doubt she'll be posted wide like her previous 2 starts.  She loves to finish hard and the way the race will play will certainly aid her cause.  Other hopes to Mishani Persuader (6), Lucky Sound (3) and Star Sammy (8).

Best Bets

Race 4 - Rocky King (2)

Race 5 - Into The Red (1)

Race 8 - Jacquetta (10)