We’re off to the Gold Coast this weekend, where ten races are headlined by the Pink Ribbon Cup.
The rail will be left in the true position around the entire course while at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (5) range.
You can find my complete Gold Coast tips below.
YES DONALD YES (4) takes winning form into a nice race on the Gold Coast this week.
Having returned to action with a fine performance to fill the minors in BM58 company at the Sunshine Coast last month, the Yes Yes Yes gelding was too good for them here at his latest.
In peak order this week, he can go on with it.
| 5. Yes Donald Yes (4) J: Cejay Graham 59.5kg 10×31 T: Jack Bruce | |||
| Built neatly into the campaign, winning a Benchmark 60 over 1400m here last start by just over a length from Lady Windermere after being sent out favourite. He had resumed with a sound third at Sunshine Coast, beaten just over two lengths as favourite, and now stays at a distance where he is unbeaten from two runs. Proven setup gives him a strong winning case again. | |||
EXCEED THE SALE (1) has been excellent since debuting and can record another win this week.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly has won two of four starts so far, placing on the other two occasions and finding form around some credible opposition in the process.
She steps out this week in peak order, sticking to the 1400m looks to suit, and she has options in the run from the rails draw.
| 1. Exceed The Sale (1) J: Bella Youngberry 57kg 3112 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Eased back from Saturday company after finishing second to High Authority at Eagle Farm, beaten just over a length as favourite after settling rearward and still being well back on the turn. She had won at Doomben the start prior, beating Metal Boss by just over a length as a well-supported favourite. The 60kg is the query, but the form profile is strong. | |||
CAPTAIN MAVERICK (9) strikes a winnable race on the Gold Coast this week.
He has been a little annoying from a betting perspective recently, running into the finish at each of his last four starts but ultimately not breaking back into the winner’s stall.
A small drop in trip back to the 2200m this week looks to suit, and this does look to be one of the weaker tasks he’s been set for a while.
With Ryan Maloney aboard, I don’t think he’ll get a better chance to win in Saturday metro company.
| 3. Captain Maverick (8) J: Ryan Maloney 57.5kg 42332 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Went under narrowly when second to Artful Girl over 2400m at Eagle Farm, beaten half a length after being slow away and keen midrace. His Doomben third to Diamond Show two back was also solid, and he has placed at all three runs this season. Clean start is the key, but he sets the standard. | |||
DARK ARTS (10) is second up and primed to strike on the Gold Coast.
The consistent son of Snitzel turned in plenty of fine performances last time in, and he returned to action with a fair performance to fill the minors behind an impressive Amuseantes at Doomben late last month.
He’s missed placing only once at this point of his preparation and is drawn to receive the run of the race under Emily Pozman.
| 7. Dark Arts (8) J: Emily Pozman 56.5kg 212×3 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Finished third first-up in a mid-week Class 3 at Doomben, beaten two and a half lengths as favourite after settling well back and doing his best work late. His previous Doomben second came with an awkward start, so the pattern is honest without being dominant. Needs a stronger winning edge, but place claims are clear. | |||
PRECISE STAR (3) takes outstanding form into this contest.
Having returned to action to break his maiden over 1200m on the Sunshine Coast back in July, Precise Star has continued to improve with racing and as the bar has been raised, winning each of his three subsequent starts impressively as well.
He’s in peak order and I am keen to stick with him until he gives me a reason not to!
| 6. Precise Star (2) J: Bella Youngberry 51.5kg x1111 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Arrives in winning rhythm after taking a Benchmark 70 at Eagle Farm over 1500m, beating Detrimental by half a length as a short odds-on favourite. That backed up a four-length Class 2 win at Ipswich over Wounder, so the progression is clear. Proven at Gold Coast and the trip, with the same rider claiming again. | |||
SPIRIT OF BARTY (6) has been knocking on the door and gets a great chance to win on the Gold Coast.
The Spirit Of Boom mare has incredibly finished the runner up in each of her last four starts, running into the classy Grinzinger Champ in consecutive races before only just missing again behind Howdoyouzou at Eagle Farm last time.
Sticking to the 1000m and substantially down in the weights under handicap conditions, she’s drawn well and shouldn’t have too many excuses this week.
| 12. Spirit Of Barty (6) J: Cejay Graham 52.5kg 72222 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Has finished second at her past four starts, most recently beaten a long neck by Howdoyouzou in a 3-4yo Benchmark 68 at Eagle Farm when held up around the home turn as favourite. Her prior Doomben second in a 3yo+ FM Class 3 was another sound effort after an awkward start. Gets her chance to turn consistency into a win. | |||
This is a fantastic race for the southern state raider, GRAND IMPACT (2).
While yet to strike in three runs back from a break, Grand Impact has been right in the finish every time when finishing the runner up. All three races were run over sprint trips in Sydney, and all three were arguably stronger than the race he strikes this week.
Out to the 1400m, he’s my best bet on the program.
| 1. Grand Impact (2) J: Anna Roper 57.5kg 0x222 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Narrowly denied in a 3yo+ Benchmark 94 over 1200m at Rosehill last start, where he was the odds-on favourite, struck some contact near the 350m, hit the lead and was beaten just over half a length by Lisztomania. He had earlier run second to Eagle Express at the same venue on soft ground. The 1400m query is real, but the form reads strongly. | |||
METAPHORICALLY (1) returned to winning form last time out and looks great chance for the double at the Gold Coast.
He didn’t show much in his first two runs back in June and July, but his transferal to the care of Jeff Dunn paid immediate dividends when he arrived in Queensland to win over 1350m at Ipswich.
He’ll only improve off that performance and with some relief in the weights under last-start partner Bella Youngberry, he can fight out the finish again.
| 4. Metaphorically (1) J: Bella Youngberry 55.5kg 7×001 T: Jeff Dunn | |||
| Produced a clear form turnaround at Ipswich, winning a CG Class 2 on soft ground by three and a half lengths from Global Eclipse after travelling just off the lead. That was a major lift on his Eagle Farm Benchmark 70 failure, where he weakened badly over 1200m. More a place profile than a clear top pick. | |||
The Pink Ribbon Cup looks a nice feature race for CARRAVILLA (4), in my opinion.
She’s yet to strike in four runs back from a break, but there’s no doubt that Carravilla has been on the improve, and she was only just denied on the Sunshine Coast before hitting the line just over half a length behind the winner at Doomben last time out.
In peak order this week and back into fillies and mares’ company, she looks well placed to be in the finish at genuine each way odds ($9 at publish).
| 3. Carravilla (4) J: Tahlia Fenlon 58.5kg x6523 T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Kept improving when third in a Benchmark 72 at Doomben, beaten just under a length after travelling well and lengthening into the placings. She had earlier started favourite at Sunshine Coast and was run down late after an awkward beginning. Honest mare with solid place appeal, provided she handles the soft track. | |||
I’m happy to give HELL (4) another chance in the last on Pink Ribbon Cup Day.
Hell has yet to win a race this time in, but he’s been right in the picture on all three occasions and was good late behind the likes of Millane and King Kapa at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.
He’s drawn to find a nice prominent position in the run this week and with some relief in the weights, this looks his chance to get up.
| 1. Hell (2) J: Emily Pozman 58.5kg 7×343 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Placed in Saturday company at Eagle Farm last start, leading and sticking on for third in a 1MW-LY, beaten just over two lengths as favourite. He had earlier finished fourth in an Open at Doomben after being overrun late, so the pattern is honest rather than dominant. Honest 1200m record keeps him in the mix, with the win edge the query. | |||