Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 24th April
Race-by-race Gloucester Park preview for Friday night.
Gloucester Park hosts nine races on Friday night with the Group 1 Fremantle Cup the headline act.
There will be $300,000 in prizemoney up for grabs in the Fremantle Cup as most of The Nullarbor field collides again, including the winner of that race in Max Delight for trainer David Aiken.
The Group 3 3YO Caduceus Club Classic is the main support race on the program with Greg and Skye Bond boasting four runners in the race.
Here is our race-by-race Gloucester Park preview for Fremantle Cup night.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, April 24
Race 1
LAST HARD COPY (12) has a distinct class advantage in this race and despite drawing barrier 12 he looks really hard to beat. He was runner up behind Mad Monday in the Group 2 Preux Chevalier 4YO Classic (2536m) and the winner of that event would win this race for fun. Aiden De Campo’s entire won’t find a better race to notch his first win for the season.
SUGAR SHAKE (1) can lead and run a cheeky race but generally doesn’t run a quick last quarter which may see him struggle to go with the favourite’s acceleration in the latter stages. Looks a strong Quinella chance. RUBY LOVERA (10) will love the pegs here and has strong place claims while HI SUGA RUSH NZ (7) can be forgiven for last start’s misdemeanour. His prior form was good.
Selections: 12-1-10-7
Exacta: 12 / 1
Trifecta: 12 / 1,10 / 1,2,7,8,10
Race 2
BELLY UP (8) comes out of the Group 2 Preux Chevalier 4YO Classic (2536m) where he ran third behind stablemate Mad Monday. It was a brilliant run by the gelding and he looks to have the strongest claims despite barrier eight. All his recent runs have been against stronger opposition and this looks a suitable event.
IM LIGHTNING BANNER NZ (12) is the other class runner of the field and he is also racing well. While others can win with the right run, the top two here should have a stranglehold on the race if they bring their recent form and happy to back both horses. BETTOR ARCADE (6) could be aggressive early and looks to have each-way prospects. DARK EYES (5) and GULLY GUM (9) look next best.
Selections: 8-12-6-5
BELLY UP (8) to win
IM LIGHTNING BANNER NZ (12) to win
Race 3
An intriguing race here but can’t say I am all that keen on it as it looks a bit tricky with the Gary Hall Snr pair A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (4) and SWEET PINS NZ (6) dominating the market. The former will be driven by young NSW reinsman Jett Turnbull, while Gary Hall Jnr will drive the latter.
I’ll settle on HIGH PRICE (8) as he is the class dropper for trainer Garry Sayers. Like last start, Shannon Suvaljko will drive which is great as he did finish fourth behind Magnificent Storm in quick sectionals. Not sure how he will be driven but I will place faith in Suvaljko who is a great driver in WA. SPRING LINE (2) has a new trainer in Kim Prentice and the change of scenery could help while WHOS THE DAD (5) is a roughie that is capable of winning this.
Selections: 8-6-4-2
HIGH PRICE (8) each way
Race 4
The Fremantle Cup Consolation (2936m) looks a wide-open event following the barrier draw and I am unsure if CAPTAIN RAVISHING (1) will want to hold the front or hand over the longer journey to BETTORS PRIDE (2) or LAZI DAIS (3). Once again, the confidence is low in this race.
BETTORS PRIDE (2) is ticking along nicely for Kevin Keys with all three runs for the new trainer very admirable. He hasn’t been far away in any of those races and draws nicely in barrier two. Five starts back he led and was third behind Golden Lode and Star Casino which is nice form for this race. He also ran a great race in the Golden Nugget (2536m) back in November, so could run well if able to lead or trail on the fence.
FRANCO MOTU NZ (9) has some class and looks right in this race. Same for TIGER ROYAL NZ (7) who was runner up last start. Nothing would shock in this race except for MACHNIFICENT (6) who looks up against it here.
Selections: 2-9-7-1
BETTORS PRIDE (2) to win
Race 5
MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (1) will lead just as he did in The Nullarbor (2536m) when finishing third to MAX DELIGHT (5). It was a strong tempo throughout and Aiden De Campo will be hoping for a slower tempo earlier over the long distance. GOLDEN LODE NZ (10) will be trying to punch through and hold the leader’s back.
BULLETPROOF BOY (11) didn’t enjoy being off the track last start and James Herbertson may opt to take the pegs here. Whether he ends up three back on the pegs or trails the Tasmanian TRIEDTOTELLYA (2), I am expecting a much better run from the Scott Ewen-trained 11-year-old this week. Looks a nice each-way prospect.
MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (1) and GOLDEN LODE NZ (10) have strong claims from the pegs, while MIGHTY RONALDO (4) and MAX DELIGHT (5) will be hoping there is pressure in the race because they can swoop and capitalise. GEE HEZA SPORT NZ (12) didn’t race in The Nullarbor but with a soft trip, he can let down strongly and it wouldn’t be a shock if he won at odds. UBETCHA TIGERPIE (7) has a bad draw but sometimes that can be a blessing if those drawn favourably declare war in the run. This is a tough race and I’ve left out winning prospects in my selections as I can’t put them all in.
Selections: 11-1-4-5
BULLETPROOF BOY (11) each way
Race 6
The Group 3 3YO Caduceus Club Classic (2130m) was a favourable barrier draw for Team Bond with three of their four runners drawing barriers one, two and three. Deni Robers has opted for IN RARE AIR NZ (1) and I’ll follow that lead. The gelding was a brave breeze run two starts back in 1:55.2 before struggling last start against Wishing Belle, again from the breeze position. With a good opportunity to hold the lead from early challenger MISS LEOPATRA NZ (5), IN RARE AIR NZ (1) can try and make every post a winner.
AMALFI KNIGHT (10) will relish a soft trip and will be dangerous if any clear running presents itself in the race. THE FINAL OFFER NZ (11) is massive odds at triple figures and Tom Nally should look for the pegs early. Happy to be on him each-way at the gigantic odds.
Selections: 1-10-11-5
IN RARE AIR NZ (1) to win
THE FINAL OFFER NZ (11) each way
Race 7
There could be an early speed battle with both COPY CAT QUEEN (2) and AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (4) trying to get the lead from COPPER HEAD LADY (1) who is first up from a spell and up in class. COPY CAT QUEEN (2) isn’t the quickest away but can show speed when asked and Aiden De Campo will likely do that as she led and won the Group 3 4YO Championship (2130m) back in October with those tactics, when beating the boys. She rated 1:55.4 and will prove hard to beat if able to lead or get some cover.
AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (4) was a return to form last start when third in the Group 2 Empress Stakes (2536m), finishing just behind COPY CAT QUEEN (2). If she manages to blast over and lead, then she immediately becomes the mare to beat. FAKENIT (6) will find this tougher having drawn outside the main dangers but she is still good enough to win if things pan out. CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (8) has won three in a row and should acquit herself well.
Selections: 2-4-6-8
COPY CAT QUEEN (2) to win
Race 8
There looks to be limited chances in the standing start event with MY SILVER SPOON NZ (7) coming off the 10m handicap, LUVBITE (9) and CHASE ME NZ (10) off 20m marks and the lone backmarker is PETES HONOUR (12) off the 40m handicap.
CHASE ME NZ (10) has struggled in recent stands off bigger marks so this should be a lot more suitable as there is less depth this time around. He was also a nice fourth in the Group 2 Preux Chevalier 4YO Classic (2536m) and Gary Hall Jnr knows this horse well. Expecting an aggressive drive from Junior and he should be fighting out the finish.
Chris Voak will know staying ahead of the main dangers is key and the lead should be his for the taking if MY SILVER SPOON NZ (7) can step cleanly. That is the big query here as he galloped out three starts ago. PETES HONOUR (12) has the best form in the race – the handicap disadvantage brings him back to the field but he can still win with the way he is racing.
Selections: 10-7-12-9
CHASE ME NZ (10) to win
Race 9
The final race on the card looks pretty good and keen on two horses in this event. The first is FLY TO THE FINISH NZ (6) who joins Ryan Bell. He won three starts back when leading throughout from a similar barrier draw and then he had issues in two subsequent runs. He has trialled twice since then for Bell and looks ready to run a big race. Whether he can work across to the lead or races in the moving line, he should run a bold race.
SUN PUBLISHER NZ (5) can do a bit of work in this company and still be there at the end. Stuart McDonald will likely be aggressive early to get him into a striking position – he would love to lead as he was successful at Narrogin four starts ago when setting the pace in a 56.5 last half.
SAMMY SUFFARELL (11) and RELLIM (12) have each-way claims, while IDEAL TOMADO NZ (4) is not out of this either.
Selections: 6-5-11-12
FLY TO THE FINISH NZ (6) to win
SUN PUBLISHER NZ (5) to win
Summary
Best Bet: Race 7 – COPY CAT QUEEN (2)
Next Best: Race 2 – BELLY UP (8)
Best Value: Race 9 – SUN PUBLISHER NZ (5)
Best Roughie: Race 6 – THE FINAL OFFER NZ (11)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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