Raceday focus: Best bets for Gosford, Sapphire Coast

A lightly-raced four-year-old the Team Hawkes stable is ready to take the next step after an impressive first-up win. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL.

Racing in New South Wales on Thursday is at Gosford and Queanbeyan.

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones gives his best bets and runs the rule over the Quaddie legs at Gosford and Sapphire Coast.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

GOSFORD

BEST BET

Race 4, No.2: PASCAL

This won’t be as easy as his last assignment but he comes off a fairly easy win to suggest he will handle the step up in grade and he looks like a horse with many more wins ahead of him.

NEXT BEST

Race 6, No.4: SATIN RIBBONS

She’s a natural front runner which will help her get around this tight-turning track and get across and lead from a wide draw under leading jockey Tommy Berry.

Alysha Collett has a good book of rides at Gosford.

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Alysha Collett has good chances with Oakfield Blossom, Charity Spirit, Raoul and Yuralla Boy.

SAPPHIRE COAST

BEST BET

Race 6, No.2: MR ALOYSIUS

He’s got barrier one which is an advantage for him being a leader and he’s ready to win now off two second placings. He just needs to give a kick and hold on.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 1, 4, 9

Race 5: 3, 4, 5, 9

Race 6: 2, 6

Race 7: 2, 3, 5

TRAINER TO WATCH

Theresa Bateup will be hoping the likes of Alan, Moon Stories and Foxtrot Bravo can deliver her success on Thursday.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR GOSFORD

RACE 4

Pascal was sent out a $1.80 favourite first-up at Newcastle and was never threatened in winning by a length and a half. He is back in trip on a tighter turning track but does like to race on the speed so he should be fine. Ka Bling didn’t get much luck last time at Newcastle when caught deep in the run but there no chance of that happening here from barrier one and Tommy Berry is back on after they combined to win two runs back. Tympanist won his trial and beat home Able Willie and he might be the value runner here. Raoul is very honest having never missed a placing in seven runs.

Bet: Exacta 2, 4

RACE 5

Lady Of Luxury is looking to improve on her winning strike rate and drops back from the midweeks after running into a red hot one on the day. She’s having her first run here but handled Wyong well this time in so Gosford shouldn’t be an issue but she might be starting too short if she’s $2 or less. Spanish Pearl is back in trip which shouldn’t hurt her chances and she’ll run an honest race with a leading rider now on. Rahni Factor has been going close of late and her best run this time in was at this track last start and she’s drawn to get the run of the race. Sweet Ruby is an improver.

Bet: Lady Of Luxury to win

Josh Parr rides Lady Of Luxury for trainer Bjorn Baker. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

Satin Ribbons has a wide gate but the early speed and cross the field. Could she be a little vulnerable late? She’s fitter now though and won second-up last time in and isn’t taking on much. Sky Castle will push up from barrier two and the tongue tie is being used for the first time after she got her tongue over the bit and chocked down last start which was her excuse. Pick The Score is rock-hard fit for this and ran a very good race at Orange last start and she’s got more wins ahead of her.

Bet: Stain Ribbons to win

RACE 7

Viren will be better for the run and needs a little luck to tuck in somewhere from a wide gate but he’s won fresh before and was given two good hit outs in consecutive winning trials to be nice and forward for this. Miss Scalini will probably start favourite because she’s in form and puts herself into her races so expect that tactic from a wide gate at a track she hasn’t raced at before but should be suited by. Lucky Banner peaks now third-up after coming home very well at Coonamble last start and the mile is where she should race her best.

Bet: Quinella 1, 3

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR SAPPHIRE COAST

RACE 4

Moon Stories has drawn wide and is going up from 1200m to 1612m from starts one to two but really produced an eye catcher on debut when running from seventh to finish third. It will be very interesting to see how he handles things here for the Theresa Bateup runner. He’s a risk at start two but might be one worth taking. Renard is building towards a win and has all the fitness he could ask for. Blood Ties was running on well enough at Cootamundra last start but they ran home in very slow time. She does get a cushy run from the gate on her home track though.

Bet: Moon Stories to win

RACE 5

Room Number looks like the leading contender for the Joseph/Jones team but they say In My Wallet has been working very well and will probably start over the odds. Scottish Soldier has put in a series of good runs without winning this time in. He’s finally drawn a gate to get the job done at a mile. Port Douglass gets to his favourite distance while Madison Point is ticking along well enough to be in the finish. Foxtrot Bravo drops in grade.

Bet: In My Wallet each way

Jordan Mallyon has a couple of good rides including In My Wallet and Mr Aloysius. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

Mr Aloysius is knocking on the door and should go very close to getting the job done from barrier on where he can easily take up the lead and be awfully hard to catch. Romeo Vella is also coming off two-straight seconds and likes racing here. He just doesn’t win often but will draw punters in. Sisseck just had too much to do a long way out at a track that didn’t suit first-up. It wouldn’t surprise if Denmiss pops up and wins at her best trip.

Bet: Mr Aloysius to win

RACE 7

Blue Glass won nicely at Nowra last start and the $6.50 winning price was juicy considering her pervious form. She’s up in grade but will handle it with barrier two and just 53.5kg on her back. Big Steve races well at the track and distance but needs luck from a poor gate. He needs a good ride by Michael Travers. Cash Register has been given an easier race to win under new trainers after coming down from the city and the blinkers are on for the first time.

Bet: Blue Glass to win

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets for Gosford, Sapphire Coast