Ray Hickson
Race 1 – 11:15AM WIN $100k @ THE COAST RACEDAY 2YO HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
2. Priory Park should be at the top of his game with two runs under his belt including a fighting win at Muswellbrook beating a handy type with a big gap to the rest. He was sound on debut at Hawkesbury and may have the chance to control this race. Hard to beat. 7. I Am Dirty was solid in the market on debut at Randwick but was trapped wide and held her ground to finish midfield. Draw a little tricky but smaller field and she has to be respected. 3. Zynaro wasn’t fancied in the market at his only start but stayed on to run third at Mornington three weeks ago. Improver drawn to have every chance. 4. Quarterback drifted in betting at Kensington on debut and was no match for the winner but held a placing. If there’s an upside he’s in the mix. 1. St Gotthard appears likely to run in Brisbane but if he does line up here, he’d be a leading chance.
How to play it: Priory Park to win.
Race 2 – 11:50AM NCIS SYDNEY MIDWAY BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
12. Spice Baby put the writing on the wall that she’s ready to win second-up after a game third in a BM78 at this distance two weeks ago. Just felt the pinch late so will be fitter, back to Midway grade, she’s proven at this track and distance and will be in this for a long way. 14. Sapling disappointed when resuming at Hawkesbury, had a nice run on speed and weakened late. She’s been back to the trials and is a likely improver. 4. Smashing Time is more than good enough to win if he’s on his best. Odds-on when run down in the closing stages at Kembla when resuming, gets blinkers on and is one of the main chances. 5. Xpresso arguably should have gone close despite running sixth at Canterbury last start. He spent most of the straight climbing over their backs looking for runs that didn’t open up. Draws out this time and if they can sweep home he could surprise.
How to play it: Spice Baby to win.
Race 3 – 12:25PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
2. Neil looks well-placed in this Highway field. Run down by a promising one in his latest Highway attempt in February and has since run fifth with 60kg and a wide gate at Eagle Farm. Looks the one to beat. 13. Voltage Lass is an interesting one if she lines up (accepted Corowa Monday from a wide gate). She’s looked speedy in her couple of wins and only defeat was at 1100m at second start. Easy Hawkesbury trial winner a couple of weeks ago. 3. Exit Fee has that awkward gate to negotiate but if he has any breaks in the run he has the right form to be hard to beat though you’d argue 1200m is more up his alley. 1. Life Coach went for a break after winning over 1250m at Taree in January. He’s trialling quite well and while 1000m might also be a touch short of his best he could show up.
How to play it: Neil each-way.
Race 4 – 1:00PM TRIPLE M THUNDER THOUSAND BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
4. Crepe Myrtle has some excellent form and looks an ideal scenario for her to pounce second-up. Narrowly beaten by Hawker Hall before a spell then resumed with a solid third to Golden Straand at Warwick Farm last month. Won second-up last time in at this track. Drawn to stalk a good speed and sure to take holding off. 6. Compensation made the leap from what’s been a handy maiden win to score in this grade at Randwick two weeks ago with some sustained speed up front. Will bounce and be right on pace and no surprise if he takes catching. 5. Petticoat is another speedy type that resumes after winning at Wyong in January. Has a powerful first-up record. Definite chance. 1. World Alliance has a big finish on him when able to produce it and he also acts well fresh. Potential ambusher if they overdo it.
How to play it: Crepe Myrtle to win.
Race 5 – 1:35PM TOOHEYS 3&4YO BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
3. Nobler was impressive winning at the Randwick mile a couple of weeks ago, putting down some slick sectionals to get out of jail and get the job done. Drops in grade, hence the hefty weight rise, drawn well and if he can find a clear run from the bend he’ll be hard to hold out. 6. Mr Miller had no luck at his second start, sitting wide and boxing on bravely to run second behind Enamorada at 1400m. Better set up with a softer gate and the mile should be no concern. Gives away experience but looks promising. 9. Chilli Margs is getting close to a win, scored nicely at Hawkesbury second-up then made good late ground behind Enamorada last time out. Better draw and extra trip both ticks for her. 4. Brigidine Gal has been disappointing all season but was a little better behind Nobler last time and gets the blinkers applied. If she can recapture some form he’s a good each-way chance.
How To Play It: Nobler to win.
Race 6 – 2:10PM ELITE SAND & SOIL BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (2100 METRES)
10. King Of The Sea is an interesting runner having his second Australian start and on the back of an eye-catching debut at Caulfield a month ago, as well as a similarly noticeable trial at Canterbury. Should relish the distance and if he does have that touch of quality he’s a good chance. 16. Koolibah is lightly raced and just found the 200m distance drop against her when running on strongly late into second at Kensington. So the jump in trip is in her favour and she’s a threat. 18. Monopolistic comes back in grade after tackling a couple of group 3s and he did make significant late ground from the back in both. Takes on older horses now but no surprise if he’s around the mark. 3. Thrice was strongly supported at his Australian debut at 1800m and while he had his chance in front he’ll be better for it. Down a couple of grades too so expect him to be competitive.
How To Play It: King Of The Sea to win.
Race 7 – 2:45PM DE BORTOLI WINES TAKEOVER TARGET STAKES (1200 METRES)
11. Harry’s Yacht brings some strong form from down south and is fresh since running down Al Duca at Caulfield almost two months ago. He’s had a jump out since then, he has a versatile racing style and while 1200m is at the bottom end of his strength distance wise he should run well. 9. Kerguelen comes back a notch from the Maurice McCarten and Hall Mark stakes when he hit the line pretty well. Soft draw, no doubt he’s at his best with some sting out of the track but he’s lethal when he gets his chance. Logical danger. 2. King Of Roseau is so reliable and has freshened up since winning the Liverpool City Cup at the end of February. Dry tracker that will be strong at the end of the 1200m and a definite chance. 3. Sweynesday is the one tough to line up. Only time out of the top two was a third behind Jigsaw in the group 1 Railway at Ellerslie and he’s won a group 3, albeit a bit fortunately, since then.
How To Play It: Harry’s Yacht to win.
Race 8 – 3:20PM STEINBOK THE COAST 3&4YO QUALITY (1600 METRES)
3. Depth Of Character was runner-up in this last year and while he hasn’t won one since he’s been contesting some handy races including running fourth in the Golden Eagle. Plenty to like about his return at Randwick two weeks ago and has his chance to produce something in an open race. 1. Zambardo was just given a look around at Randwick first-up where he went back and was wide before picking off some late ground. Fitter, he has that second to Via Sistina in his form from the spring and he’ll be harder to beat. 10. Sarrismo is coming of age this preparation with wins at Warwick Farm, Doomben then an easy Orange Cup win a couple of weeks ago. No weight, drawn to be handy and it’s a matter of taking that next step. 9. Rotagilla was excellent scoring at Randwick second-up off a wide gate, he produced a strong finish from the back and looked to have a bit in hand. Just back in trip but softer draw and he’s one of the chances.
How To Play It: Depth Of Character to win.
Race 9 – 4:00PM GUARDIAN SAFETY SOLUTIONS GOSFORD GOLD CUP (2100 METRES)
12. Portland has been bursting to win since he made that local debut in February. Super run in the Sellwood two back and again attacked the line from a less than ideal set up in the JRA Plate. If he can use the soft draw and produce similar efforts he should be right in the finish. 11. You Wahng is racing well and improved sharply off her fresh effort in the Coolmore to run into second in the JRA Plate. Ideally drawn and a repeat performance has her right in the finish. 16. Zaphod was a shade disappointing second-up behind Rotagilla, he did have a nice enough run but couldn’t capitalise. Fitter and down sharply in the weights, proven around this trip and can lift. 15. Sunset Park could be the dark horse. She’s fitter for two runs back and led them up in the JRA Plate before being beaten two lengths. Arguably her edge would be on a wet track but expect her to give a good account.
How To Play It: Portland to win.
Race 10 – 4:40PM RAILWAY HOTEL GOSFORD BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
13. La Roja has a run of four second placings to break as she resumes since late February. Half length second to Cinsault and a similar effort behind Captain Furai in her past two read very well for a race like this, she’s trialled up as you’d like to see and is the type who can make use of a good gate. With even luck entitled to be in the finish. 12. Scintilla was solid in betting before a late drift when she resumed from a long absence with a slightly fading sixth at Randwick behind Signor Tortoni. She will be better for that and expect her to show some improvement. 3. Hillier is a big watch first-up as a gelding since running fifth in the Caulfield Guinas. Recent trials have been solid, he has the ability and any support would be a good pointer. 10. Damien has his share of ability and he’s not raced since Magic Millions day where he ran fifth at the Gold Coast. Form around Tuned and Grafterburners is handy and he’s one to throw into the mix.
How To Play It: La Roja to win.
