Wyong Race Club is gearing up for its most anticipated meeting of the year this Friday, as the Listed Wyong Gold Cup is set to headline their feature raceday.
The $250,000 event is one of two stakes race to be run and won on the day as the Group 3 Mona Lisa Stakes for the fillies and mares will round out the seven race program.
I’ve had a close look at each race on the card and have provided my details Wyong Gold Cup Day selections below.
NAPOLEONIC returns to the races.
The son of Wootton Basset just had the two starts in his first preparation and was solid on both occasions.
Making his debut over 1100m at Warwick Farm, he got back but didn’t have a lot of room in the straight and probably should have finished closer.
Out to 1300m at Newcastle, he took up the running and only just run down in the final stages but stuck on well to hold second.
An improving type, he lines up here off two pleasing trials and he draws to get the right run under James McDonald.
| 3. Napoleonic (4) J: James McDonald 57kg 62xT: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton |
KING NIC was doing his best work late when resuming over 1200m at Moruya and he looks nicely placed with the rise to 1350m.
Crowded in the early part, he was forced to settle midfield and picked up strongly in the straight to finish second.
The Mitch Beer trained son of Nicconi was sent to the paddock after failing finish off on debut but given time, he looks to have come back in top order.
Tommy Berry will take over the steering and the low draw will see him afforded every chance.
| 1. King Nic (2) J: Tommy Berry 59kg 6×2T: Mitchell Beer |
ATELIER kicked off her campaign with a very encouraging effort over 1300m at Goulburn and she will have taken improvement from the outing.
In heavy conditions, the So You Think mare was held up for the much of the straight but still picked up strongly carrying top weight, to finish second.
The four-year-old kicked off her career in style with three straight wins before going down by the narrowest of margins at Rosehill.
She then produced a solid effort to finish fifth in the Listed Canberra Guineas, beaten only 1.5 lengths.
A very progressive mare, she looks ideally placed here and gets in nicely with Mollie Fitzgerald’s 2kg claim.
| 1. Atelier (6) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 60.5kg 258×2T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
BELIEVE IN ANGELS returns to the races.
The Joe Pride trained gelding is building a tidy record and should find this a touch easier than what he was contesting last campaign.
The runner up in both of his first appearances, which have each been over this course and distance, he looks well placed to kick off and his recent trials suggest he has come back in good order.
Barrier two is a big plus and Adam Hyeronimus knows how to get the best out of him.
| 1. Believe In Angels (2) J: Adam Hyeronimus 61kg 2356xT: Joseph Pride |
SHIRVINGTON has made it three wins from just five starts and I think he’ll continue to rise through the grades.
The four-year-old son of Capitalist showed raw potential despite a wayward debut and the decision to geld him proved to be a winning move as he returned with consecutive victories.
He kicked of his current campaign with a determined win over 1100m here last month ago and with the added fitness, the rise to 1200m looks ideal.
Dylan Gibbons retains the mount for Bjorn Baker and with even luck off a tricky draw, I think he’ll be hard to beat again.
| 3. Shirvington (8) J: Dylan Gibbons 61.5kg 118×1T: Bjorn Baker |
SALTCOATS just struggled to let down in the heavy 10 conditions last start but I think he can bounce back here.
The former Kiwi was a decisive winner two runs back in the Premier’s Cup Prelude as he stuck to the fence and shot through to take out the 1800m event by over two lengths.
Out to 2100m last time, he was given every chance but when presented to make his run, just couldn’t quicken over the final part.
I think we’ll appreciate getting onto a fairer surface and he’s drawn to receive all the favours under James McDonald, who takes the mount for Chris Waller.
| 4. Saltcoats (2) J: James McDonald 56kg x9314T: Chris Waller |
SNOW IN MAY has the task ahead off the wide draw but I think class will take her long way.
A daughter of The Autumn Sun, the mare has recorded three wins from eight starts, and she’s performed well against the likes of Lady Shanandoah and Autumn Glow.
She recorded her first stakes win when taking out the Listed Canberra Guineas last preparation but didn’t have the best of luck in two subsequent starts.
She’s won two of three first up appearances and looks ready to go off two solid trials.
James McDonald will take the reins for the O’Shea / Charlton partnership and with even luck in running, I think she’ll prove too good for them.
| 7. Snow In May (13) J: James McDonald 57kg 5158xT: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton |