EXCITING import MAWINGO has already been heavily backed and is all the rage for the Group 2 Hollidane Stakes when the national carnival spotlight swings to the GOLD COAST on Saturday.
MAWINGO landed a plunge at his Australian debut for the Anthony Freedman stable winning over the Flemington mile at his first start since finishing fifth in a Group One in Rome in November.
A potential Cups contender in the spring, MAWINGO steps up to a more suitable trip and has firmed from $4 to $3 favoritism ahead of star Kiwi filly SHEZ SINSATIONAL, $5.5, which will try to complete the New Zealand – Queensland Oaks double.
Old-stager SCENIC SHOT, $8, winner of the race in 2008 and a place-getter last year, is at $8 with comeback king Shane Scriven in the saddle. FORETELLER from the Waller stable has been specked early into $6.5.
EASY RUNNING, which overcame difficulties to win first-up, is the new favorite for the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas following the scratching of promising Sydney three-year-old MENTAL. He has firmed to $4 ahead of the smart David Payne-trained youngster FLORENTINA, $4.8.
On the biggest day of Gold Coast racing, SIZZLING is a short-priced early favorite to win the Listed Ken Russell Memorial Classic; ALLTHERIGHTMOVES has been well tried early to win the Lised Silk Stocking; ANGEL OF MERCY is the top fancy for the Gold Coast Bracelet despite a step up in trip and MID SUMMERMUSIC from the Peter Moody stable is favorite for the Prime Minister’s Cup.
FLEMINGTON holds centre stage for Victorian racing tomorrow while the spotlight will swing to HAWKESBURY (with no meeting in Sydney) where the promising landing is well into the red to win the GUINEAS.
Below is THE FRIDAY FORM-LINE for GOLD COAST, FLEMINGTON & HAWKESBURY.
GOLD COAST – TRACK: SLOW 7 (Rain Predicted).
BEST BACKED EARLY: SIZZLING (R4, $2.6 to $2.3) & ALLTHERIGHTMOVES (R5, $5 to $3.7).
VALUE BETS: HOSS AMOR (R4, $9) & MID SUMMER MUSIC (R7, $5).
R1: OPEN HANDICAP 2400m
FAVORITE: FRUEHLING, solid at $2.6, an English import that is unbeaten at two Australian starts for the Freedman stable at Sandown and Werribee – looks quite smart.
NEXT IN MARKET: VIKING HERO, $6, a Victorian visitor that came from last of 15 to finish an eye-catching 2nd to FOLDING GEAR in the Easter Cup at Caulfield. Big weight but ready to win.
EARLY SPECKING: ZA MAGIC, $8 to $7, in top form – led and bolted in at Doomben last start and has shown a liking for the wet.
EARLY MAIL: THE import is a bit short for ours that is why we prefer to go with VIKING HERO, $6, despite his big weight as an each-way value chance.
R2: CLASS 6 1400m
FAVORITE: OAK STREET, $5, crossed from a wide alley to lead and win over this trip at Eagle Farm last start. He again has a bad draw to contend with but is trained on the track and is unbeaten at the trip.
NEXT IN MARKET: THEFIFTHHOLE, $5.5, led to the last stride in the wet at DBN last start over 1200m when nailed by the promising ROCKER. He races well fresh and has the speed to off-set wide alley.
CLASS DROP: BOYS ON TOUR, $8, drops in class on closing 8th to MORNING CAPTAIN in Listed grade at Doomben last start. He has a bad gate but grows a leg in heavy going.
EARLY SPECKING: TRISKELE, $10 to $8, chasing fourth straight win, last two this track, latest on a heavy track & LUCKY SONGS, $13 to $11,was doing best work late at EF behind OAK STREET and was heavy track winner there over this trip three runs back.
EARLY MAIL: KISS ME DEADLY, $8, returned to winning form at Doomben last start, won’t be worried by the wet and should get a nice run in this.
R3: BENCHMARK 90 1200m
FAVORITE: ROCKER, $3 to $2.9, has won five of seven starts and arrived in the last stride to win first-up at Doomben in the slow. He looks the one to beat again, the only proviso is that the track is not too heavy.
NEXT IN MARKET: DEMANDING MISS, $5.5, has not raced since winning in the heavy at DBN in January. She ticks plenty of boxed – has terrific first-up stats, goes well at the track & distance, loves the wet and gets in very well after the claim.
GOOD FRESH RECORD: EMVOSS, $9, has not started since starting favorite and pulling up lame after the MM Stayers Cup here in January. He has won two of three 1st-up, has won four times at the track (two over this trip) and has been placed in the slow.
EARLY MAIL: ROCKER, $2.9, looks very promising, should be fitter for his first-up run and providing the track is not heavy looks the one to beat.
R4: LISTED KEN RUSSELL MEMORIAL CLASSIC, Two-Year-Old 1200m
FAVORITES: SIZZLING, $2.6 to $2.3, smart colt hasn’t raced since finishing a closing 4th in the GCST MM Classic to DRIEFONTEIN. He has looked good at all four runs and bolted in on debut at EF.
NEW IN MARKET: DANCES ON STARS, $4.6, a visitor from the Gerald Ryan stable that won the G3 Kindergarten at RAND when resuming. She has the speed to off-set an awkward alley and is bred to handle the wet.
PROMISING SYDNEYSIDER: HOSS AMOR, $9, won the WYONG MM Classic on debut then at only other start had no luck in the GCST MM when 7th to DRIEFONTEIN. He has trialed well and the O’Shea stable is flying.
NO LUCK LATEST STARTS: DANSAL, $11, has had trouble getting clear against easier company at EFM and DBN at her last two starts with Larry Cassidy taking over from Rachael Mason.
EARLY MAIL: HOSS AMOR gets the blinkers on, has trialed well for his comeback and from a nice draw should be in the firing line throughout. Despite our huge respect for SIZZLING we prefer the better value at $9 with him.
R5: LISTED SILK STOCKING, Fillies & Mares 1200m
FAVORITE & WELL TRIED EARLY: ALLTHERIGHTMOVES, $5 to $3.7, won six on end before eye-catching 1st-up 2nd to the promising KIDNAPPERS at EF. She shapes as if this extra trip will suit, is unbeaten 2nd-up and has terrific wet form.
NEXT IN THE MARKET: MASCARERI, $4 to $4.6, has been freshened since finishing 6th in the Listed Wenona Girl at RAND to ROSE OF PEACE. She did finish 2nd in a recent trial, has won four times over this trip and likes the wet.
KEPT SAFE: FUNTANTES, $4.6 to $4.8, has been nailed on the line at her last two starts (by CARIAD and RISK AVERSION) over the EF 1200m trip. She is overdue but may have to work from an awkward alley.
EARLY SPECKING: SARAJI, from $7 to $6, had no peace up front when 3rd in the Listed Mick Dittman to EASY RUNNING at EF & DUAL CHAMBER, from $9 to $8, after charging home late for a 1st-up 4th to RISK AVERSION in Listed grade at EF.
EARLY MAIL: DUAL CHAMBER, $8, may be looking for a shade further but the 1st-up run was an eye-catcher and she normally goes much better second-up.
R6: LISTED GOLD BRACELET, Three-Year-Old Fillies 1800m
FAVORITE: ANGEL OF MERCY, $3.6 to $3.4, after impressive win in the Listed James Carr at RAND last Saturday. She is on trial at this trip and horses from the Ryan stable tend to be a shade inconsistent.
NEXT IN MARKET: MISS ARTISTIC, $4.4, big raps across the Tasman where at her last start almost two months ago she won the NZ Oaks. She drops back in trip but handles the wet and goes well fresh.
EARLY SPECKING: HIDDEN JEWEL, $5.5 to $5, had the race run to suit when a winner of the Listed Princess over the EF mile. Fitter for three starts since a spell and drawn to get the ‘gun’ run.
SHOULD HAVE WON LAST START: ROCKSAN, $17, should have won when slowly away and a fast finishing 2nd to HIDDEN JEWEL in the Listed Princess at EF. She won her only start at this track.
EARLY MAIL: PRETTY PINS, $12, is stepping up sharply in trip to the 1800m but her 1st-up run was sound, she likes the wet and is being set for the Oaks – looks nice value here.
R7: LISTED PRIME MINISTER’S CUP 1300m
FAVORITE: MID SUMMER MUSIC, $4.5 to $5, found the brilliant ATLANTIC JEWEL too classy but did well for 2nd in the G2 Sapphire at RAND. She has won three of four at the trip, loves the wet, lines up for Moody and Nolen but does have an awkward draw.
NEXT IN MARKET: PARABLES, $6 to $6.5, has done best work late at two runs since a spell, the latest when 4th to ATLANTIC JEWEL in the G2 Sapphire at RAND. She peaks for this, the extra trip sits and she handles the wet.
EARLY SPECKING: TOP DROP from $8 to $7 was never sighted 1st-up in the G3 Sebring at RHL behind ZARATONE. He is well up to this on his best form and the Ryan stable can improve them sharply in the space of two runs.
FRESHENED FOR THIS: STEEL ZIP, $26, after winning in Listed grade over the EF mile came out as favorite in an easier race in similar conditions and ran an inglorious last. He won a trial at Deagon in slick time recently and this is another stable that can turn their form around quickly.
EARLY MAIL: MID SUMMER MUSIC, $4.5, has been racing better company than this and with any luck from the bad draw should taking holding out.
R8: GROUP TWO HOLLINDALE STAKES WFA 1800m
FAVORITE: MAWINGO, $4 to $3, an import with the Freedman stable landed a plunge at his Australian debut winning very impressively at FLEM. This fellow gives the impression he could be very smart.
NEXT IN MARKET: SHEZ SINSATIONAL, $4.8 to $5, smart Kiwi mare placed in the Queensland Oaks and Derby last winter. She has won three of her last four in NZ including the Auckland Cup over two miles.
EARLY BACKING: FORETELLER, $7 to $6, closed late when 6th in the Doncaster Prelude at RAND to FAST CLIP. Won the Coongy in the spring, likes the wet and this is a more suitable trip.
WON THIS RACE IN 2008: SCENIC SHOT, $9 to $8, ran a big race at his comeback to Queensland when a closing 3rd to GINGA DUDE in the Listed Members’ Quality at EF. He ran third in this last year and could win without surprising.
EARLY MAIL: MAWINGO looks very smart but going with the old-stager SCENIC SHOT, $8, to test him at weight-for-age.
R9: GROUP THREE GOLD COAST GUINEAS, Three-Year-Old 1200m
FAVORITE: EASY RUNNING, $5 to $4, got clear late but still proved too strong in the Listed Mick Dittman at EF when resuming. He ticks all the boxes again in this.
NEXT IN MARKET: FLORENTINA, $5.5 to $4.8, 1st-up since failing in the G1 Flight Stakes at RAND in Oct. She goes well fresh, likes the trip, handles the wet and has won two recent trials.
NO LUCK LAST START: DIDN’TCOSTALOT, $7 to $8, had a wide run at his Queensland debut and was only nailed on the line by EASY RUNNING in the Listed Mick Dittman at EF.
CHASING 5TH STRAIGHT WIN: MORNING CAPTAIN, $9, has won twice since a spell, the latest in Listed grade at DBN beating TRUMP on a slow track. The wide draw a bit of a concern.
EARLY MAIL: EASY RUNNING, $4, should have won clearly when resuming so we see no reason why he cannot win again.
FLEMINGTON – Track: Slow 6.
BEST BACKED EARLY: ALMODOVAR (R3, $3.5 to $3) & SOROS (R7, $4.6 to $4.2).
VALUE BETS: ELUSIVE KING (R4, $3.5) and HOT LOVER (R5, $5.5).
RACE 1:
FAVORITE: DAZZLER from $3.3 to $3.5.
BEST BACKED: PILLAR OF CREATION $3.8 to $3.6 & TEXTILES $7 to $6.
EARLY MAIL: DAZZLER was most impressive on debut and could be above average.
RACE 2:
EQUAL FAVORITES: ROSES IN THE GLEN $5 to $5.5 & CLASSY CHLOE from $6 to $5.5.
SPECKING: MANHATTAN MAID from $13 to $11 & ROXIT from $8 to $7.
EARLY MAIL: VAIN ATTRACTION, $7, is flying and failure at only straight failure was a forgive run.
RACE 3:
FAVORITE: MAYTHEHORSEBEMAGIC from $2.5 to $2.8.
BACKED: ALMODOVAR from $3.5 to $3.
EARLY MAIL: MAYTHEHORSEBEMAGIC will be conceding a start to ALMODOVAR but he looked very promising at his Australian debut win.
RACE 4:
FAVORITE: ELUSIVE KING from $3.2 to $3.5.
BEST BACKED: SHENZHOU STEEDS from $4.5 to $3.8 & DR NIPANTUCK from $26 to $19.
EARLY MAIL: LIKED the comeback run of ELUSIVE KING.
RACE 5:
EQUAL FAVORITES: CLUB COMMAND & HOT LOVER both from $5 to $5.5.
BEST BACKED: CASH BOUND from $8 to $7 & FAST AND FREE from $13 to $11.
EARLY MAIL: HOT LOVER won three of last four and looks quite promising.
RACE 6:
FAVORITE: MR O’CEIRIN from $4.2 to $4.6.
BEST BACKED: PLAYWRIGHT from $7 to $6; LARISTAN from $8 to $7 & SUPREMACY from $7 to $6.
EARLY MAIL: LARISTAN, $7, scratched from the Warrnambool Cup on Thursday for this and ran an eye-catcher second-up.
RACE 7:
FAVORITE & BEST BACKED: SOROS from $4.6 to $4.2
SPECKING: PARISHON from $51 to $31; NOW AND ZEN from $10 to $9 & DURNFORD from $13 to $11.
EARLY MAIL: CHIEFTAIN JACK, $6, ran into a smart one in ZABEELIONAIRE last start and looks good value despite 58kg in this.
RACE 8:
FAVORITE: STAR OF GISELLE from $4.2 to $4.6.
BEST BACKED: KY’S THE LIMIT from $5.5 to $5 & specking for NERIANA from $19 to $17.
EARLY MAIL: CHARLIE’S QUEEN, at $21, our knockout hope of the day – can improve dramatically on 1st-up failure at Flemington.
HAWKESBURY – Track: DEAD 5.
BEST BACKED EARLY: ACADEMUS (R2, $5.5 to $3.8) & MENTAL (R8, $2.8 to $2.3).
VALUE BETS: VILLA SPLENDIDO (R2, $7) & SCREEN (R5, $6).
RACE 1:
FAVORITE: FOX, a drifter, from $2 to $2.6.
BEST BACKED: MALAVIO from $4.6 to $4.2, SPECTACULAR IAM from $34 to $21 & SHADE OF GREEN from $11 to $9.
EARLY MAIL: PREPARED to stick with FOX on Gosford Guineas run despite the early set at the odds by betting agencies.
RACE 2:
FAVORITE & BEST BACKED: ACADEMUS from $5.5 to $3.8.
TRIED EARLY: STAY SCHTUM from $4.8 to $4.2.
EARLY MAIL: VILLA SPLENDIDO, $7, looked good winning a trial here and looks a great chance on debut.
RACE 3:
FAVORITE & EARLY BACKING: SACRED PINS from $2.2 to $2.1 (ALSO ENGAGED IN GUINEAS).
SOME SUPPORT: SAMUI LAD from $5 to $4.8.
EARLY MAIL: BELTANE, $9, should appreciate the weight drop here and looks great each-way value.
RACE 4:
FAVORITE & WELL BACKED: MAXIMUS GLADIATOR from $4.2 to $4 and into $3.8 with some agencies.
EARLY SUPPORT: ADROITLY from $12 to $10; MARDEN from $6.5 to $6; CHARING CROSS from $7 to $6 & MORIARTY from $8 to $7.
EARLY MAIL: WALLER holds key with MARDEN & MORIARTY. Either back the one he doesn’t tip or go with the one at better odds MORIARTY – stable runners are at times impossible to follow.
RACE 5 (Listed Darley Crown):
FAVORITE & BEST BACKED: LADY’S ANGEL from $6 to $4.6.
BACKED: MORE STRAWBERRIES from $11 to $9; PONTIANA $11 to $8 & FORFEITURE $10 to $7.
EARLY MAIL: SNOWDEN has two in this SCREEN at $6 and FORFEITURE backed into $7 early. We think SCREEN is the one to beat on her terrific fresh form.
RACE 6 (Listed Rowley Mile):
FAVORITE & GOOD GO EARLY: FAST CLIP from $4 to $3.2.
BACKED: ALMA’S FURY from $6.5 to $5.5 & WAZN from $13 to $10.
EARLY MAIL: FAST CLIP looks the class runner, has 59kg, but tests these on Doncaster 5th and has been well tried early into $3.2.
RACE 7 (Listed Hawkesbury Guineas):
FAVORITE & BACKED EARLY: LANDING from $1.8 to $1.7.
NEXT IN MARKET: SACRED PINS steady at $5 & BOUND TO BLUSH from $5.5 to $6.5.
EARLY MAIL: THE unbeaten LANDING is no fancy odds but looks very promising and is set to continue the Waterhouse juggernaut.
RACE 8:
FAVORITE & BEST BACKED: MENTAL from $2.8 to $2.3.
NEXT IN MARKET: FLYINGCONI at $6.5 & TURF HERO from $6.5 to $7.
EARLY MAIL: MENTAL is first-up but looks smart and has won two trials so prepared to follow the money trail.
