A kind barrier draw for Destiny’s Kiss has boosted the confidence of jockey Christian Reith heading into the Gosford Cup.
Destiny’s Kiss has not won this preparation but has been around the mark with placings in the Summer Cup and Tatt’s Club Cup at his past two starts.
Reith reunites with Destiny’s Kiss in Friday’s 2100-metre Listed event after Peter Robl partnered the Joe Pride-trained galloper to his half-length third in the Tatt’s Club Cup (2400m) on January 1.
“He’s drawn better than what I drew on him in the Summer Cup,” Reith said.
Destiny’s Kiss has barrier three in the field of nine and Reith says it is an important draw as the horse needs things to go his way to produce his best.
The gelding had barrier 12 when he came from last to finish third in the Summer Cup.
“I was quite confident going into the Summer Cup with him but we drew the outside alley,” Reith said.
“He’s the kind of horse that needs to draw a good alley. You need to fall into the right spot and have a good run.
“Things have to go your way. I think he’ll get that tomorrow.”
Destiny’s Kiss has been installed favourite at $2.50 ahead of Summer Cup winner I’m Imposing ($4.20).
The Gosford Cup is one of three stakes races on the program at the NSW central coast track with Reith booked to ride the Peter Snowden-trained Pleiades in the Group Three Belle Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) and the Kris Lees-trained Uate in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m).
Pleiades, a winner at Randwick over 1400-metres on Boxing Day, is one of three Snowden-trained runners in the Belle Of The Turf.
“I won on her last start and she gave me a good feel,” Reith said.
“She’s definitely in with a chance. She’s drawn well and is on the minimum weight.”
Uate finished third in the 2013 Takeover Target Stakes and Reith expects him to improve markedly on his most recent start when he finished last in the Razor Sharp Handicap.
The five-year-old has subsequently won a barrier trial at Wyong.
