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2024 The Gong runner-by-runner form assessments and selections

Racenet’s Clinton Payne presents his tips and form assessment for each of the runners in Saturday’s The Gong at Kembla.

Clinton Payne
5 min read
November 21, 2024 - 11:51AM
Territory Express is the horse to beat in The Gong at Kembla on Saturday. Picture: Bradley Photos.
Territory Express is the horse to beat in The Gong at Kembla on Saturday. Picture: Bradley Photos.

The $1 million The Gong has drawn together a competitive field of 16 runners plus four emergencies for the 1600m contest.

Here is Clinton Payne’s runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday, plus his tips.

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1 – GRINGOTTS

Quality galloper coming into this off a win in the Big Dance over this distance. Been racing well in strong races throughout the campaign and overcame an extremely wide gate last time. Tricky gate to overcome again but is unbeaten at a mile.

VERDICT: Class act that shouldn’t be underestimated.

2 – MIGHTY ULYSSES

He’s been a bit hit or miss since coming to Australia but when he’s been good, he’s been very good. Came from nowhere to score impressively first-up then in the following run, his latest, he didn’t fire a shot. Excellent record at a mile but has to overcome the outside barrier.

VERDICT: Capable on his day but too many obstacles to overcome here.

3 – TERRITORY EXPRESS

Hugely talented galloper that has proved his own worst enemy in three starts this preparation, missing the start on each occasion and finding a chequered path in the straight. Track and distance suits and Jason Collett takes the reins.

VERDICT: Ready to win and can with an ounce of luck.

4 – SKY LAB

Smart performer that has placed at Group 1 level. Resumed in the Big Dance and wasn’t disgraced when making up good ground right to the line. Has a good record at the mile, strips fitter from the first-up run and drawn to advantage.

VERDICT: Can make an each-way case for him.

5 – LION’S ROAR

Was racing well in the early part of the campaign, second in the Rowley Mile before winning the Wyong Gold Cup. Six weeks between runs and hasn’t fired a shot in two starts, albeit in harder class.

VERDICT: Recent form says he’s not going well enough.

6 – ENCAP

Dropping sharply in grade off a respectable 3-3/4 length defeat in the Golden Eagle last start. That performance followed a win in the Theo Marks (1300m) and a solid fourth in the Alan Brown (1400m). Unplaced the only previous try at a mile and wide barrier to overcome.

VERDICT: Expect the mile to find him out.

7 – GRIFF

The formguide says he hasn’t fired a shot since winning the Caulfield Guineas more than 12 months ago. While that has mostly been the case in his six runs since, two starts back there was a glimmer of hope, badly held up for much of the straight. Did nothing last time out in the Golden Eagle. Drawn to get the right run.

VERDICT: Put the pen through him.

8 – OSIPENKO

He’s racing well below what he’s produced in the past. Not won at a mile in six previous attempts and his best performances have come on rain affected tracks which he’s unlikely to get on Saturday.

VERDICT: Not racing well enough.

9 – LEKVARTE

Talented mare that’s been contesting high quality mares races. Good fourth resuming in the Golden Pendant before winning the Group 3 Angst over this trip at Randwick. Last start was a commendable sixth behind the likes of Atishu and Amelia’s Jewel in the Empire Rose at set weights. Drawn favourably.

VERDICT: Can make a genuine case for her.

10 – CONVERGE

Two runs this prep and been safely beaten on both occasions over 1400 and 1800m. Now arrives third-up over his absolutely best distance of a mile where he’s a three-time winner, once at Group 1 level, from 10 starts. Good gate and capable on his day. Given a sounding out to win a recent 1200m trial.

VERDICT: Capable on his day but his day is hard to catch.

11 – STEPARTY

Recent form is good, third in the Linlithgow Stakes at Flemington during Cup Week then followed that up with an excellent third in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) last Saturday. Only one previous start over a mile – third in the Caulfield Guineas last year. Drawn to get every chance.

VERDICT: Slight mile query but going well.

12 – WATERFORD

As is often the case with him, Waterford produced a superb performance when resuming, finishing right there with Here To Shock and Gringotts in the Alan Brown. Then second-up he was plain in the Little Dance over the mile. He’s only placed once in five 1600m starts. Drawn soft.

VERDICT: He’s hard to catch but can bounce back.

13 – BERKSHIRE SHADOW

Been mixing his form this preparation but the best run of the campaign came last time he stepped out in the Listed Ladies Day Handicap (1500m) at Hawkesbury when supported. He is yet to win from nine starts in Australia since arriving here last year. Drawn to get his chance and gets blinkers for the first time.

VERDICT: He’s zero from nine in Oz so he can run against us.

14 – LOCH EAGLE

Ran well in this race last year when finishing third behind Detonator Jack but he’s been below his best since resuming in 2024. Eight starts and yet to finish in the placings but he did make some last ground last start in the Little Dance with 62kg. Drops 7kg here but has to overcome a wide draw.

VERDICT: One of the better roughies in the race.

15 – SUPARAZI

Reliable galloper racing very consistently this preparation, only missing a place once in six starts. In his latest run he was good third in the Big Dance behind the Ciaron Maher-trained pair of Gringotts and Vivy Air. Tricker gate to overcome this week but this race is no harder.

VERDICT: Has each-way prospects.

16 – VIVY AIR

Only two wins from 16 starts but she’s hard to bag off her latest two performances when second in the Big Dance Wildcard qualifier before finishing second in the Big Dance over the mile at Randwick where beaten less than a length by Gringotts whom she meets 2.5kg better this time.

VERDICT: You can make a winning case for her on weights and measures.

17e – GLORY DAZE

Imported galloper that’s been sparingly raced since starting his career in Australia in the early part of 2023. He won three of his first six starts, over 1600, 1700 and 2000m then since his last win in January this year, he’s only had another two starts and been below his best on each occasions. Fitter and drawn well.

VERDICT: Big market watch, capable if right.

18e – KING OF THE CASTLE

Has come back in good order and has an excellent record over a mile. Solid first-up performance behind the inform gallopers Willaidow and Battleton over 1400m before winning at Randwick over 1500m. Drawn to get every chance.

VERDICT: Race will be run to suit, each-way claims if he gains a start.

19e – POISON CHALICE

Victorian galloper coming to Sydney with solid form references in his past two starts. Beat home Suparazi two starts back in the Crystal Mile at The Valley then last time he was beaten just over three lengths by Light Infantry Man, the favourite for Saturday’s Railway Stakes, at Flemington.

VERDICT: Form ties in OK. Not without place claims.

20e – TAVI TIME

Started favourite and was far from disgraced when fourth in the Big Dance. Has an excellent record over the mile with four wins from six starts and has solid figures on good-rated tracks. Should be at his peak now.

VERDICT: Genuine each-way contender if he gains a start.

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CLINTON PAYNE’S THE GONG TIPS
1st – TERRITORY EXPRESS (No. 3)
2nd – VIVY AIR (No. 16)
3rd – LEKVARTE (No. 9)
4th – GRINGOTTS (No. 1)

Originally published as 2024 The Gong runner-by-runner form assessments and selections

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/nsw-racing/2024-the-gong-runnerbyrunner-form-assessments-and-selections/news-story/a7bf3ebff1ec4130e7ab49d22363067f