Following a successful running of the Magic Millions Night meeting, feature racing returns under the lights at the Gold Coast Turf Club this Friday for Goldmarket Night.
A strong field has been assembled for the $160k Listed Goldmarket which is a clear highlight on the eight-race card.
We’ve studied the form and provided our thoughts on each race below.
Race 1 - 6:30PM AEDT
Maiden Handicap (1800 METRES)
Viking Blood (4) looks set for a peak performance following two very good runs to start his preparation.
The John Gilmore-trained gelding found the line strongly first-up at Lismore to finish a half-length second.
Last start he was doing his best work late when finishing third by two lengths over a mile at Eagle Farm.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and the rise in distance looks ideal.
1 Unit – Viking Blood (4)
Race 2 - 7:00PM AEDT
Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)
Winchman (1) can be forgiven for finishing down the track last start in the Magic Millions Maiden at the Sunshine Coast given he raced wide throughout.
The Paul Shailer-trained Hellbent gelding was very good the start prior when debuting over this course and distance where he let down nicely from the back to finish second by 1.5 lengths.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and the blinkers going on for the first time will sharpen him up.
There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see Michael Rodd settle closer in the run.
1 Unit – Winchman (1)
Race 3 - 7:30PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Ocean Alps (5) is racing in good form with two wins from her past three starts.
The Paul Shailer-trained mare bolted in by 4.22 lengths over 1310m at Lismore three starts ago before weakening out of it at the Sunshine Coast.
She bounced back last start when proving too strong over 1400m at Beaudesert.
A recent trial will have tuned her up nicely with Bailey Wheeler’s 1.5kg claim a bonus.
1 Unit Each Way – Ocean Alps (5)
Race 4 - 8:00PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1710 METRES)
Autumn Miss (8) is only lightly raced and has demonstrated potential as a stayer.
The Neasham & Archibald-trained daughter of The Autumn Sun produced a super effort at Ipswich last start when letting down powerfully to win over a mile by just under a length.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and senior jockey Jag Guthmann-Chester going on is a strong move.
From barrier 3, she should enjoy an economical run.
1 Unit – Autumn Miss (8)
Race 5 - 8:30PM AEDT
GOLD COAST MAYOR'S VASE (2050 METRES)
Queen Air (11) has raced well since joining the Tony Gollan stable after previously racing with Lindsey Smith in Victoria.
The Toronado mare overcame a slow start two starts ago at Eagle Farm before running on strongly to win the 1600m contest by half a length.
She jumped to 2100m last start in The Shootout and caught the eye charging home to finish 1.3 lengths second to Belvedere Boys.
Given that race was five weeks ago, Gollan sent her back to the trials to keep her tuned up.
She’ll carry just 52kg with Angela Jones in the saddle and is drawn well.
1 Unit – Queen Air (11)
Race 6 - 9:00PM AEDT
THE GOLDMARKET (1100 METRES)
Golden Boom (1) didn’t appreciate the heavy going first-up at the Sunshine Coast but bounced back in a big way two starts back in The Bribie.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding raced three-wide the trip yet still proved too strong in the run home to nose out stablemate Zarastro.
He gave a terrific sight in Magic Millions The Syndicate at the Sunshine Coast last start where he worked early to find the front before fighting strongly but to no avail when finishing a half-length second to Payline.
The wide draw is not ideal but Ryan Maloney, who has won four of eight rides on him, is back in the saddle and can navigate.
1 Unit – Golden Boom (1)
Race 7 - 9:30PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1000 METRES)
Action King (4) looks well placed to continue his good form this preparation.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding signaled he was in for a good campaign when he ran on strongly to win first-up over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast.
Last start he loomed as the winner at Ipswich but was swamped late to finish a head second.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and has a great record over this distance.
Jimmy Orman returns to the saddle and should give his mount every chance from the good draw.
1 Unit Each Way – Action King (4)
Race 8 - 10:05PM AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1400 METRES)
Rocky Reward (7) produced a performance full of merit when resuming over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast last start.
The Liam Birchley-trained gelding let down powerfully from the back to finish two lengths second despite suffering from heat stress.
He’ll have come on since that run and the rise to 1400m looks ideal given the way he finished the race off.
Top jockey Jimmy Orman has been booked to ride and while the outside barrier isn’t ideal, he’ll get back anyway.
1 Unit – Rocky Reward (7)