Feature race on the card is the Gosford Cup and whilst some big named stables have multiple representatives, (Waterhouse x 2, Darley x 2, David Payne x 2), Sydney’s leading Trainer Chris Waller, is pinning his hopes on Moriarty who is coming off a strong win in the Tatt’s Cup and is $3.80 favourite with Sportsbet.
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1. IRONSTEIN – B Avdulla (11)
Gosford will be the tenth track this well-travelled galloper has competed on in the last twelve months with his most recent effort being a 7 ¾ length seventh to Ibicenco in the Sandown Cup (3200m) in November. Never far away in these races and did run second in the G2 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2500m) to Puissance De Luce over the Spring Carnival. Does have a big weight and wide draw but will not have to be far from his top to be competitive here.
Odds: $9.00
2. REUBEN PERCIVAL – J McDonald (5)
Gai Waterhouse’s first runner who beat Ironstein home twice when they met over the Spring Carnival in the Sandown Cup (Reuben Percival finished second) and the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (second to Vatuvei). Like Ironstein he does tackle this race first up off a seven week spell but will settle closer to the lead from barrier five and is more than capable of sticking on.
Odds: $7.50
3. FIUMICINO – R Quinn (3)
It took him two and a half years, but he finally cracked it for a win when claiming the ATC Cup (2400m) two starts back, defeating King Utah and Moriarty before an eight length second to Cantonese in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) He’ll be handy to the pace from his favourable draw and should be in a position as they turn to stake his claim. He’s going well and can’t disregard his chances.
Odds: $7.00
4. MORIARTY – J Bowman (4)
Won three straight when kicking off this campaign but when his races grew longer in journey, he just seemed to struggle to see at a strong trip the other side of 2000m. That appeared to be the was the case as he chased home a dominate Cantonese in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) before a drop back to 2000m of the Listed Tatt’s Cup at his last start, saw him push through the field and finish hard to score an impressive 1 ½ length win over Darci Be Good. Nice win last start, good jock and gate here, he’s fit – hard to argue the fact that he’s favourite.
Odds: $3.80
5. WINNING GLORY – J Collett
Had his favoured Slow tack conditions last start (all six career wins have been on Slow tracks) and settled in the one/one but found the 2400m and the promising Le Roi too greater of a challenge and finished fifth (beaten 3.8 lengths). Will be up on the pace if not leading here with 54.5kgs and fancy the drop back in distance and Gosford track will suit. Ran fourth in this race last year and is one for multiples at a price.
Odds: $17.00
6. EURYALE – K McEvoy (9)
Darley’s first runner and all of her three runs this time in have been in Victoria with the most recent, a 3.4 length third to Bells Of Troy in the a BM 89 under 60kgs. Drops down to 54kgs here but judging by her two most recent wins, fancy she’d prefer some sting out of the ground.
Odds: $13.00
7. PRAECIDO – N Berry (2)
You probably don’t have to go further than the fact that from his thirty-eight starts, his only won two races but with efforts like his third in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup and his last start third to Le Roi in the G3 Summer Cup, you do have to stop and give him some consideration I suppose. Drops in weight to 54kgs from 58kgs but can’t include him as a genuine winning chance.
Odds: $13.00
8. YULALONA – C Reith (13)
Darley’s second and despite the horror draw the better chance of their two for mine. Just didn’t have the change of gears required last start when chasing home the in-form Cathay Lady at Canterbury over 1550m. Better suited this trip and finished 2.8 lengths from Glencadam Gold in the Newcastle Gold Cup back September.
Odds: $21.00
9. TRAVOLTA – T Berry (1)
Former NZ’er who produced a very impressive effort when making his Australian debut for Gai Waterhouse three starts back, recording a narrow victory in a BM 80 (1300m) over Keith’s Legacy. Jumped to the 2000m and again settled on a solid speed but faded late to finish second to last (beaten 4.2 lengths) behind Scream Machine but, bounced back to his best with a tough effort last start, recording a neck win over Marden. Looks a tough competitor who despite the rise in class, from barrier one should prove hard to run past.
Odds: $5.50
10. CENSOR – B Shinn (10)
After his good second up run, where he finished a length behind Circle Of Power in a BM 85 (1600m), expected more from him at his two most recent starts. On both occasions he’s settled at the tail and failed to make an impression. It would be some turn-a-round on his last start eighth of ten in the Listed Tatts Cup behind Moriarty.
Odds: $31.00
11. PANKO – P Mertens (8)
Three starts ago, the 4yo Snitzel mare won a Class 2 at Muswellbrook but at two subsequent runs, has created quite an impression with easy victories at Newcastle over Fedde (won since) and at Canterbury in a BM 80 F & M’s over Lion Dance, both by 1 ¾. Did it easy last start in the end and whilst this is a significant jump in grade, she’s on the up and has been kept safe at $9.00 in early markets.
Odds: $9.00
12. AD VICTORIAM – K O’Hara (7)
4yo gelding from the Voigt yard who will be well accounted for judging by his last start third (beaten 8.2 lengths) here at Gosford New Year’s Eve in a BM 60.
Odds: $101.00
13. CARNEGIE ROYALE – S Lisnyy (12)
7yo Carnegie gelding who has won two from thirty and been beaten by an aggregate of 41.2 lengths at his last three starts. No.
Odds: $301.00
OVERVIEW.
Pace should be genuine with Travolta, Fuimicino, Winning Glory and Reuben Percival all going forward. Moriarty should be able to settle just behind them and get a nice run in transit but I can see them making this a truly run affair and I’m not prepared to jump in at the early quote. Panko won very comfortably last start over the 1900m. She’s only lightly raced and just appears to be realising her potential. A solid speed should suit and at $9.00 is worth serious consideration. Travolta demonstrated last start that he’s tough and will get his opportunity from an inside draw and also not discounting the old boy, Fuimicino. He defeated Moriarty two starts back and for beating him home again in the Christmas Cup, meets him 2kgs better.
