One of the feature races at Ascot this Saturday is The Gold Rush (1400m), where the field looks quite deep on paper.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 The Gold Rush.
2025 The Gold Rush Runner Preview:
1. Overpass: Did Parr go too slow on Overpass in the Winterbottom? I can understand that angle. But really, he had every possible chance in front and couldn’t fend off Libertad, who is a solid horse but no world beater. I do think the rise to 1400m will suit him, he leads and will give an almighty sight.
2. Western Empire: Thought the ride was very ordinary in the Northerly. Egan rode the horse far too warm and the horse just didn’t have anything left for the finale. He actually did a remarkable job to run third. If that hasn’t busted him, he can win.
3. Jokers Grin: SCR
4. Magnificent Andy: Magnificent Andy is suited at 1400m. He ran in the Railway where he got into a decent spot in transit and tried hard, but the end of 1600m at this level just found him out late. Back to 1400m is ideal. Just needs luck from the draw to be around the mark.
5. Comfort Me: Gee he is an honest bugger. Tried his absolute guts out in front in the Railway but just couldn’t quite see it through. Back to 1400m I like and gets a beaut run in transit. Must for exotics.
6. Bustler: Zero luck in the Railway but I am not sure that was truly the issue because the runs prior were ordinary.
7. Iowna Merc: Dangerous with his best. Too far out of his ground in the Railway but was okay late. If the inside gate can be used to advantage and he settles closer, he’s in with a shout at odds.
8. Oscar’s Fortune: He gets every chance from the inside gate but even allowing for that, I do think 1400m at this level is a bridge too far.
9. Rey Magnerio: Unknown at 1400m but his late splits in the Winterbottom were very good. Pike sticks, which is noteworthy, and despite the query at the trip, off last start he’s in the mix.
10. Cosmic Crusader: I dare say if this race wasn’t worth $1.5 million, this guy would be in the paddock. Showed tremendous fight to win the Northerly last week and despite dropping back to 1400m, he has to be given respect.
11. Rope Them In: Race shape was against him in the Winterbottom but he finished off very strongly behind Libertad. I think rising back up to 1400m is ideal and maps ideally. In the mix.
12. Aztec Ruler: He’s a crazy price. Loved his finale in The Gong and he is a proven Randwick mile performer on wet ground. Will need luck but a win wouldn’t shock at all. Big price and worth a speck each way.
13. Super Smink: I think the market is completely dismissing Super Smink. She was poorly weighted and had an awful draw in the Railway. She ran accordingly, getting back in the run and was never really a factor. Maps to settle much closer in the run and I do think back to 1400m is a big tick.
2025 The Gold Rush $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win / $80 Place Super Smink Tote/SP
The Gold Rush Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OVERPASS | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 8 | 59kg |
| 2 | WESTERN EMPIRE (NZ) | Grant & Alana Williams | Billy Egan | 13 | 59kg |
| 4 | MAGNIFICENT ANDY | Stephen Miller | Brad Parnham | 12 | 59kg |
| 5 | COMFORT ME | Rhys Radford | Ms Holly Watson | 6 | 59kg |
| 6 | BUSTLER | Neville Parnham | Steven Parnham | 11 | 59kg |
| 7 | IOWNA MERC | Bjorn Baker | Joey Azzopardi | 3 | 59kg |
| 8 | OSCAR’S FORTUNE | Dion Luciani | Alan Kennedy | 1 | 59kg |
| 9 | REY MAGNERIO | Robbie Griffiths | William Pike | 5 | 59kg |
| 10 | COSMIC CRUSADER (NZ) | Michael Grantham | Clint Johnston-Porter | 9 | 59kg |
| 11 | ROPE THEM IN | Steve Wolfe | Shaun McGruddy | 7 | 59kg |
| 12 | AZTEC RULER | Stefan Vahala | Chris Parnham | 4 | 59kg |
| 13 | SUPER SMINK | Daniel Morton | Ms Lucy Fiore | 2 | 57kg |
The Gold Rush Odds
2025 The Gold Rush Speed Map
Oscar’s Fortune lands in a good spot from the inside gate, but I doubt he will lead at 1400m. I think Comfort Me has the option to either lead or take the sit on the back of Overpass. Do they push forward with Rope Them In and Cosmic Crusader?
