Kembla Grange takes centre stage on Saturday and the $1 million The Gong headlines ten races.
The rail will remain in the true position around the entire course, while a fine week in the vicinity of the track has seen it rated in the Good (4) range.
I’ve run the rule over the program, and you can find all my Kembla Grange best bets below.
The Gong Day kicks off with another wide-open Midway race with plenty of winning chances engaged, including OAKFIELD SATURN.
Having returned to action with a fine performance to only just miss behind Gunroom up at Newcastle last month, the American Pharoah mare was sent off a popular favourite at Gosford last time out and ran on to justify her quote.
She’s open to further improvement this week and getting out to the 1400m looks ideal at this point of her preparation.
| 10. Oakfield Saturn (8) Scratched: | |||
TOMMY FLYER chases a hat-trick in Saturday’s Highway Handicap.
The Super One gelding proved far too good for his rivals in Class 1 company at Queanbeyan when resuming and franked that performance by winning again in BM58 grade last time.
This is another rise in class, but he too has plenty of upside and does look up to the task again.
| 6. Tommy Flyer (10) J: Coriah Keatings 56kg 20×11T: Nick Olive |
SPYWIRE resumes in a winnable race on The Gong Day.
The Trapeze Artist gelding hasn’t been seen at the races since August, but he was a typically consistent performer last time in, placing in a couple of Saturday metro contests before ending his campaign an eye-catching winner up in Brisbane.
He’s trialled up nicely and has plenty of these rivals covered for ability.
| 1. Spywire (7) J: Adam Farragher 61kg x231xT: Ciaron Maher |
I’m going to give JELLICIOUS another chance when she steps out in Race 4 at Kembla Grange this week.
Jellicious has been outstanding this time in, winning each of her first three runs back with plenty in hand.
She was caught wide in the run and couldn’t make up ground on a leader-dominated day last time out which I am therefore happy to forgive, and if she can settle a little closer in the run this week from barrier 6, I think she’ll be right back in the finish again.
| 2. Jellicious (6) J: Tommy Berry 58.5kg x1116T: Chris Waller |
HURTSVILLE ZAGREB is another horse that I am keen to stick with on The Gong Day.
He was back firing second up this time with a really strong performance to win in midweek metro company at Warwick Farm last month, but he was a tad luckless in the run at Rosehill last time out and ultimately finished fourth at this grade, though beaten less than a length.
Getting out to the 2000m at this point of his preparation looks to suit, while the in-form Zac Lloyd has options in the run this week from barrier 1.
| 1. Hurstville Zagreb (1) J: Zac Lloyd 58.5kg 2×314T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton |
SMASHING TIME takes winning form and likely improvement into this contest.
The Brave Smash gelding didn’t show a lot last time in, but after trialling up nicely last month, he put the writing on the wall for an improved campaign with an easy win in BM64 company over this route in early November.
He’s a winner at this point of his preparation previously and this certainly isn’t the strongest race on The Gong program this year, and a horse like Smashing Time can capitalise.
| 10. Smashing Time (10) J: Brock Ryan 55.5kg 860×1T: Robert & Luke Price |
ZEALOUSLY is fit and looks ideally placing in The Warra field, in my opinion.
The consistent son of Harry Angel has returned to action in typically good form this time, and after winning in BM100 company at Warwick Farm fresh from a break, he was only just nailed late by Rey Magnerio in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint last time out after taking up the running.
The 1000m is certainly his go, and I’m confident that Tom Sherry will take him straight to the lead again this weekend and give them something to chase.
| 3. Zealously (1) Scratched: | |||
Some excellent gallopers will contest The Gong this year, but I’ve found it impossible to look past reigning champion GRINGOTTS again.
After winning The Big Dance last year, Gringotts continued to go from strength to strength in the autumn and broke through for a maiden win at the highest level in the George Ryder, most notably.
He has improved noticeably with each of three runs back this time as well, peaking with a successful defence of his Big Dance crown, and even under topweight this week, I think he’ll still take a power of beating once more.
| 1. Gringotts (5) J: Nash Rawiller 61kg 0x521T: Ciaron Maher |
WELL TIMED looks well placed back on his home deck on Saturday.
The Nicconi gelding has turned in plenty of fine performances through 22 trips to the races and was an eye-catching winning up at Randwick in his first run back this time in August.
He’s finished the runner up in three of his last four starts, including the Listed Ladies Day Vase at Hawkesbury last time out when he was only denied a short nose by Harlem Queen.
There’s no doubting his fitness or form this week, and the small rise to a mile can see him return to the winner’s stall.
| 5. Well Timed (3) J: Nash Rawiller 60.5kg 02252T: Kerry Parker |
Another local hope I am happy to have something on this weekend is SATNESS in the last.
Satness is a veteran of 65 career starts but has continued to turn in sharp performances in recent preps, while he returned to action to finish a head third in Midway BM72 company at Rosehill earlier this month.
With natural improvement, he’s an each way contender in something like this.
| 11. Satness (1) J: Brock Ryan 56kg 010×3T: Robert & Luke Price |