The Goodwood Day Preview 2024

The Adelaide Racing Carnival comes to a close this weekend with the Group One The Goodwood to headline a nine race card.

First run back in 1881 under handicap conditions, the time honoured event has been taken by some star gallopers throughout the years, with Takeover Target and Black Caviar saluting in more recent times.

This year, the feature sprint will see seventeen contenders line up for the $1m on offer and with a further five black type races to be run and won, we’re set for a terrific day of racing.

We’ve had a close look at all nine races on the program and our thoughts can be found below.

Vintage Star has only had the four race starts and looks highly promising.

He resumed last campaign to make it two on the trot before things didn’t quite go to plan in a messy race and he was subsequently spelled. 

A son of Starbangledbanner, he resumes here and he could not have been more impressive in a recent trial.

In the 1050m heat he was sent forward and continued to extend his margin under a hold.

Jake Toeroek got a nice feel for him in the trial and he takes the mount for Richard and Chantelle Jolly. 

1 unit – VINTAGE STAR

Brooklyn Boss makes the trip from Pakenham.

The five year old has been racing well and comes off a solid last start performance at Caulfield.

Over the 1800m he just looked to hit a flat spot when the pressure went on but picked up nicely over the final part and was strong through the line.

He drops back slightly in grade and presents here hard fit. 

Damian Lane will do the steering and with the advantage of the inside draw, he’s sure to receive every chance. 

1 unit – BROOKLYN BOSS

Flyer was doing her best work late here last start in the Group Three Breeders’ Stakes.

Taken back off the wide gate she started to creep forward approaching the turn and when brought to the outside, let down nicely.  

The daughter of Exceedance won well on debut back in February before going on to contest the Blue Sapphire Stakes and VRC Sires Produce Stakes, where she didn’t have the best of luck.

Craig Williams sticks with her, the inside draw will see her settle closer in the run and she’ll be strong late.

1 unit – FLYER

With a Group Two win and Group One placing to her name, the NZ visitor Positivity is the class runner in the SA Fillies Classic field.

A winner of the Sunline Vase over 2100m at Ellerslie back in March, the Almanzor filly then went on to finish the runner up in the NZ Oaks before making her way here. 

She’s just had the one Australian outing, which was in the Australasian Oaks and whilst she never threatened, she was six weeks between runs and just looked to just peak late. 

The rise in trip will suit, she strips fitter and has drawn to get a cosy run under Damian Lane, who goes onboard for Andrew Foresman.

1 unit – POSITIVITY

Sea What I See will look to extend her winning streak to six as she continues, what has been a faultless preparation.

The highly talented daughter of Sea The Stars didn’t show a lot in her first two outings but has taken all before her this time in and has done it effortlessly. 

Her most recent success was over the 2000m journey at Mornington, where she was strong through the line under 59kgs. .

She steps up to stakes level for the first time but drops to 55.5kgs and gets Blake Shinn back on top, as the pair looks to retain their unbeaten record together.

1 unit – SEA WHAT I SEE

Grey River charged to the line last start in the Group Three John Hawkes Stakes and she’ll relish the rise to 1200m here.

Off a five week freshen up she just wanted to race a bit keen in the early part, she was always wide but when asked an effort in the straight, she really let down strongly over the final part in restricted room.   

A highly talented mare, she recorded a well deserved first black type win in the spring when saluting here in the Wylie Handicap but she hasn’t had the best of luck since. 

She gets a good barrier and Todd Pannell knows her well and will take the reins for Jon O’Connor in the Proud Miss Stakes. 

1 unit – GREY RIVER

Jimmy The Bear was doing his best work late when resuming over 1400m at Caulfield two weeks ago.

After settling midfield, he was brought to the middle of the track to make his run and worked home strongly behind an all the way winner. 

Boasting a very impressive second up record, the Jimmy Creed gelding will be better for the run and he’ll appreciate the step up to the mile here in The Cummings Stakes field.

He’s yet to salute at stakes level but has been placed on three occasions and has proven himself a very capable galloper.

Billy Egan has enjoyed good success aboard the five year old, he goes back in the saddle and can afford him every chance from the good draw.

1 unit – JIMMY THE BEAR

The ultra consistent Benedetta comes off a terrific performance in the Robert Sangster Stakes.

Slow away from the inside draw she settled just worse than midfield on the rail and hit the strongly to claim third, only beaten a long neck. 

The daughter of Hellbent has continued to perform well each time the bar has been raised and she’s certainly up to this level. 

The blinkers will go on for the first time and connections have elected for a jockey change, engaging the in-form Jamie Kah to do the steering.

1 unit – BENEDETTA

Pure Paradise is a smart filly on the way up and she was solid last start off a wide run against the older horses.

The start prior, she proved too good over 1200m at Pakenham, recording her second win in good style.

A daughter of Capitalist, she has continued to perform well against some quality opposition and should find this a touch easier than what she’s previously contested.

Blake Shinn has had the one ride for one win aboard the filly and he goes back in the saddle for Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans.

1 unit – PURE PARADISE