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Chris Scholtz previews the Gosford Cup meeting on May 6 with selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
GOSFORD May 6
Best Bets
RACE 1 (8) MATUSALEM: Attracted plenty of attention on debut when he protested unsuccessfully against the winner NAMESAKE at Warwick Farm. It was an excellent effort to come from last over 1100m and miss by only a nose and he must be favoured to turn the tables over this extra trip meeting the winner 3kg better with the advantage of the rails draw.
RACE 7 (8) CLEMENCEAU: Quality sprinter is ready to peak in this target race after two strong efforts since resuming. He's been out of the money only once in 11 starts and a six weeks break to avoid wet tracks since his last start second in the G3 Star Kingdom at Rosehill won by BACCHANALIA sees him well placed with a weight advantage to go one better. Maps to enjoy a kind run on the back of a strong pace.
RACE 9 (6) LORD ARDMORE: Pleased to see this feature selected over other options as it looks a good fit for this stayer at this stage of his prep after contesting three unsuitable races over shorter distances since resuming. Showed he was ready for this trip with his last start sixth in the Hawkesbury Cup (1600m) when he was held up in traffic for most of the long straight before working nicely through the line. Sure to appreciate these conditions.
For Value
RACE 3 - (12) DIAMOND DIESEL: Fitter for two good placings since resuming. Will appreciate significant drop in weight.
RACE 5 - (10) SIR LAMORAK: Positive signs from this import at Hawkesbury. Sure to be improved and suited by the extra trip.
RACE 6 - (5) MISS JAY FOX: Found winning form second up. Course winner maps to charge late.
Selections
RACE 1: (8) MATUSALEM; (4) Snapback; (10) Tumbling; (2) Namesake
RACE 2: (5) REMLAPS COMMANDER; (1) Blow Dart; (2) Super Extreme; (3) Salire
RACE 3: (13) DIAMOND DIESEL; (2) Turning; (3) Broken Arrows; (13) Eye See Things
RACE 4: (6) DREAM HOUR; (5) Toes On The Nose; (8) Fall For Cindy; (9) Token Capitalist
RACE 5: (10) SIR LAMORAK; (9) Hometruths; (11) Unamerican; (5) Biscayne Bay
RACE 6: (5) MISS JAY FOX; (13) Kin; (6) Winning Verse; (12) Chief Conductor
RACE 7: (8) CLEMENCEAU; (1) Think About It; (3) Bacchanalia; (9) Fashion Legend
RACE 8: (5) PALMETTO; (7) Pretty Amazing; (6) Loch Eagle; (3) Thalassophile
RACE 9: (6) LORD ARDMORE; (7) Bois D'Argent; (1) Diamil; (3) Desert Icon
RACE 10: (12) FLAG OF HONOUR; (7) The Poacher; (6) Mars Mission; (3) Short Shorts
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – May 3-6
MORPHETTVILLE SATURDAY: Espiona (R8)
SUNSHINE COAST SATURDAY: Prime Candidate (R8); Brigantine (R8)
GOSFORD SATURDAY: Broken Arrows (R3); Capital Reign (R6); Kin (R6); Vowmaster (R6/R10); Winning Verse (R6); Fashion Legend (R7); Think About It (R7); Bois D'Argent (R9); Flag Of Honour (R10); Mars Mission (R10)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Martial Music (R2); Scorch (R2); Divine Vicky (R6)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Zia; Tocomah; Moonlight Grace; New Mandate; Skyman; Mount Warning; Lyrical Gangster; Malkovich; Chilada; General Salute; Overpass; Vilana; Champers Girl; Black Iris; Typhoon Tavi; Excelladus; Frilled; Aft Cabin; Angara; Lonrioli; Arts; Welcome Gypsy.
TRIAL POINTERS
RANDWICK May 1: An impressive piece of work by lightly raced 3YO MARTIAL MUSIC to win his open heat over 737m against some well performed rivals in fast time (42.85; 33.87). Was keen to run and easily maintained a good margin over the chasers with plenty in hand.
GOSFORD March 24: Strong return trial by promising American Pharoah 3YO FLAG OF HONOUR. He won his first two starts on slow and heavy tracks so it wasn't surprising he handled these conditions confidently, always travelling well within himself in his 1000m heat (62.17; 37.35) and going to the line easily under a soft ride. He took on three black type races in the early spring, a fair indication of the opinion held of him by his stable.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – May 3-5
WAGGA FRIDAY: Pink Ivory (R7); Douceur (R7)`
SUNSHINE COAST SATURDAY: Trifling (R4); Tycoon Evie (R5); Palaisipan (R8); Aussie Nugget (R9); Rousseau (R9)
GOSFORD SATURDAY: Vowmaster (R6); Kin (R6)
ASCOT SATURDAY: Blackwater Bay (R8);
QUIRINDI MONDAY: Acotango (R6)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Kovalica; I've Bean Tryin'; Preemptory; Giga Kick; Tarps; Atishu; Cardinal Gem; Nosey Parker; I Wish I Win; High Court; Zeyrek; Butch Cassidy; Mr Brightside; Meridius; Almania; Jal Lei; Osipenko; Lindermann; Swords Drawn; Regal Pom; Sha Of Gomer.
Blackbookers – Selected April 29
(Follow for next 3 starts)
BOLD MAC; DUCASSE; LOGAN STREET LION; NOTIONS; PARTY FOR ONE; PRINCESS RHAENYS; TORRANZINO
