The big money racing in NSW continues this Saturday at Kembla Grange, headlined by the $1 Million The Gong (1600m). The weather is fine, the track is soft (5) and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.
The Gong 🏆: View the Field and Odds for The Gong
📺 WATCH THESE RACES LIVE AT 👇
Race 1. (12:20) Go Hire (bm78) 2000m
I think 2 Tampering (Bet Now: $5.50 TOP ODDS) is a great each way bet in the opener. Backing up from last Saturday where he was a strong winner of the Midway over the mile at Newcastle, interestingly taking cover. Drawn wide, but T Clark on, you know the drill. He’ll find the front, eventually, get control, and on a fresh Kembla track, likely drying out, I suggest Tampering only runs well.
It was a very encouraging first run from 8 Avion Fury (Bet Now: $11.00 TOP ODDS) for the new stable. Ian Finn now trains this gelding, who resumed two weeks ago at Rosehill and I thought he worked to the line with real purpose when fourth to Shibli. Good second up record, is a winner at Newcastle…a win wouldn’t shock.
10 The Guru (Bet Now: $14.00 TOP ODDS) has home track advantage and winning form. He was there to be run down by Kypreos at Randwick on Cup Day but he found plenty under pressure, fended him off and got the win, just. Theresa Bateup had a fab day at this track at the last Gong meeting, so have to respect her runners on the home track.
Race 2. (12:55) Tab Highway Hcp (c3) 1600m
I’m buttering up with 8 Lucky Banner (Bet Now: $13.00 TOP ODDS). Was with her in the Highway two weeks ago at Rosehill so I might be pocket talking, but she was most unlucky I thought. No luck at a vital stage when seemingly trucking into the race and got stopped in her tracks, losing all momentum and hope. If she gets clear air this time around, she can win for sure.
2 So Say You (Bet Now: $8.00 TOP ODDS) has been a real model of consistency this prep and that was rewarded with a Highway win at Rosehill last time. Peach ride from Tommy Berry helped, but the mare still had a job to do and she did it successfully. Just has to hold her form to be around the mark again.
1 Point Counterpoint (Bet Now: $9.50 TOP ODDS) looks to be in for a good prep. Whether he wants one more, not sure, but the return was very encouraging at Rosehill, closing off with purpose late when fourth to So Say You. If he’s within range on the turn, he’s good enough to take this out.
Race 3. (13:30) Canadian Club (bm78) 1000m
4 Satin Ribbons (Bet Now: $2.80 TOP ODDS) for me. Short course horse for a short course race and this girl is definitely a short course horse. Sustained speed from the front has seen her be 2/2 this time in, the latest coming on Cup Day at Randwick where she was impressive in a solid field and ran decent time. Good test here, but think she measures up.
8 Dragonstone (Bet Now: $2.25 TOP ODDS) is a Mark Newnham trained three year old that resumes. This guy did a good job in his first prep, the latest run coming on July 10 when a closing second in a 2YO race at Rosehill won by Sky Command. Liked his recent trial win and will be strong at the end.
3 He’s Super Lucky (Bet Now: $26.00 TOP ODDS) has the talent under the hood to give this a shake. He resumes for Amanda Turner, having not raced since June 13 when close up at Rosehill on heavy ground behind Outback Diva, a very capable mare. He can sprint well fresh and with two trials under the belt, he’s ready to go I’d suggest.
Race 4. (14:05) Elite Sand & Soil (bm78) 1200m
4 Black Duke (Bet Now: $4.80 TOP ODDS) is a proven Saturday performer that will be around the mark. Richard Litt trained gelding that resumed at the Canterbury midweeks where class came to the fore late, lumping 60kg and charging late to win. That was at 1100m so fitter, up to 1200m, he’s likeable.
7 Rammstein (Bet Now: $3.90 TOP ODDS) should improve from the first up run, which came in the race mentioned above. He was near the speed throughout and tired late. He has SP profile over Black Duke into this, he gets a jockey upgrade and has upside to come I feel. Can bounce back.
5 Ranges (Bet Now: $7.50 TOP ODDS) is a Team Snowden gelding that resumes for Team Snowden and I think can be dangerous here. He doesn’t have the best of winning strike rates but is a consistent type that is rarely far away from the thick end of the prize. He was close up on a number of occasions during the Winter without winning. Just one soft trial to get ready, but stable is in form and he can sprint well fresh.
Race 5. (14:40) Evergreen Turf Australia-bm78 1200m
3 Selburise (Bet Now: $3.40) is a safe option for mine. Chris Waller trained mare that is three weeks between runs since resuming off a let up at Rosehill where she led everywhere bar the final stride when nabbed on the peg by Katalin, with Nash lifting that mare over the line. Drawn wide, but I think she’ll find the front and prove hard to run down.
9 Seleque (Bet Now: $8.00) deserves another chance. Like most, I was keen on this mare when she resumed two weeks ago at Rosehill and on face value, she was quite disappointing, but given the race shape and sectionals wise, she just had no chance given where she was in the run. Has credits in the bank, so she gets another chance.
11 Queen Bellissimo (Bet Now: $9.50) is a talented mare for Brad Widdup that resumes. This girl hasn’t raced since June 26 when down the track at Rosehill in a strong 3YO race won by Patino Ruby. Looks to have trialled up really well. Just needs luck from a tricky gate.
Race 6. (15:20) Pfd Food Services Midway-bm72 1400m
1 Easy Campese (Bet Now: $4.40) can bounce back. I thought Schiller was a bit negative on him first up at Rosehill. Understandably too given he was first up and sitting outside a hard fit, in form horse in Ma And Pa, but just sitting outside and applying no pressure pretty much handed the Waller horse the race. I think fitter, they’ll be more aggressive and he can win.
2 Travest (Bet Now: $6.00) has a good engine under the hood, but he still looks dumb. One soft trial leading into his resumption in the Midway at Rosehill. Did his thing of flopping out the back but really liked the way he finished his race off behind Saquon. Just needs to be within range 400m out to be dangerous.
She’s a beauty 9 The Crimson Idol (Bet Now: $9.50) and is just honest. Outsider in the small field when racing at Randwick on Cup Day but nobody told her that. Sat on speed, put the hot pot away and was strong late in getting the job done. Off that effort, she has to be respected here. Just doesn’t want it too wet.
Race 7. (16:00) The Warra 1000m
Playing a straight bat with 3 Malkovich (Bet Now: $2.25). He had a two run Melbourne prep and was very good each time, finishing runner up on both occasions. First up was in the Caulfield Sprint before a good effort at Flemington on Oaks Day. Returns back home, hard fit, lands on speed…he’ll take beating.
1 Eleven Eleven (Bet Now: $6.50) is back I think. Jury was out last prep, but this time in, he trialled up super and was very good without much luck fresh on Cup Day at Randwick behind Southern Lad. Back to 1000m I don’t like but Greg Hickman does have eyes on the Magic Millions Sprint with him, so he’ll likely get off speed again and charge late.
11 Spaceboy (Bet Now: $13.00) will put himself on speed and give a stack of cheek. He did that on Cup Day at Randwick and looked the winner for a few strides, but was nabbed late by Southern Lad. 1/1 at the track, and if this track does remain to have juice in it, that should be fine for him. He’ll give a bold sight.
Race 8. (16:40) The Gong 1600m
The one at odds I want to back each way is 6 Nudge (Bet Now: $9.00). I think she’s flying but the runs have been inconclusive this time in. Little luck in The Invitation before not being helped by race shape in the Hot Danish. Up to the mile, good speed, drying track (hopefully), she’s definitely worth a bet.
4 Count De Rupee (Bet Now: $4.80) is the obvious. Looked the winner when he kicked for home in the Golden Eagle, only to be run down late by a star in I’m Thunderstruck. He probably got left in front a tad early, leaving himself exposed. Reckon with a bunny to chase, he’ll be strong late and hard to hold out.
1 I Am Superman (Bet Now: $7.50) would love this track to dry right out. If it does, he is one of the hardest to beat. Little luck in the Classique Legend, seemingly bolting for clear air, but it just didn’t eventuate for him behind Eduardo. That looks A1 form for this, he looked sharp in a piece of work at Newcastle last Saturday and has class.
Race 9. (17:20) Abax Contracting (bm88) 1600m
5 Wheelhouse (Bet Now: $7.50) is hard fit now and knocking on the door. Fabulous resumption in the Sydney Stakes. Then went straight to the mile of the Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury over the mile and that lack of hard fitness beat him when a narrow second to Blue Soldier. Hard fit now, he’ll take a power of beating.
Can you trust 9 Lackeen? (Bet Now: $3.60) Peach from Olly saw him win fresh on Cup Day at Flemington…but was he helped by a track pattern? The inside section of the track looked to be an advantage and that is where he was. He was a tease last prep, but he was backed with confidence to win at Flemington and duly saluted. If you can trust that, he’s hard to beat here.
13 Suave (Bet Now: $11.00) rises to 88 grade but is racing in good form. Narrow second to a promising mare, Promise Of Success, two back. Then went to Rosehill and closed off strongly against the race shape when third to Zoushack. Tempo should be more genuine, mile is okay, down in the weights and appeals for sure.
Race 10. (18:00) Polytrack (bm78) 1400m
1400m is the query with 1 Oxford Tycoon (Bet Now: $4.40), but he’s going really well at the moment for Kim Waugh. He was bolting when racing over 1350m at Wyong last time and it was just a matter of Penza pushing the button. Once he pushed the button, away he went and he was dominant, though tiring late. If he gets the soft run, 1400m should be okay.
8 Dynamic Impact (Bet Now: $2.30) is a talented animal for Bjorn Baker that was the subject of good support when resuming at Rosehill three weeks ago and under Jenny Duggan, he came with a well timed run down the outside to win impressively against the pattern. Gets the jockey upgrade. Up in the weights, but I think can slide forward and prove hard to beat.
2 Maid Of Ore (Bet Now: $20.00) is a Nick Olive trained mare that is first up. Hasn’t raced since the Grafton Cup back in July when back and making up ground late behind Purrfect Deal. She is a capable mare when right, she can sprint well fresh and has a good record at the mile, so not totally penning her.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Seven Number 3 Malkovich
NEXT BEST: Race One Number 2 Tampering
LONG SHOT: Race Two Number 8 Lucky Banner
Quaddie Tips (Races Seven Through To Ten):
Leg One: 3
Leg Two: 1, 4, 6, 10, 13
Leg Three: 5, 8, 9, 13
Leg Four: 1, 2, 6, 8
$50 Investment = 62.50% of the dividend if successful
| Bookmaker | Why Bet | Sign Up | Full Review |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Back Yourself with Ladbrokes! | Join | Review |
|
Back a Winner with Neds! | Join | Review |
|
Sign up to Palmerbet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |
|
Sign up to swiftbet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |
|
Sign up to Unibet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |
|
Sign up to Dabble and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |
|
Sign up to MyBet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |





























