Raceday focus: Bets bets, inside mail for Gosford

A Matthew Smith-trained colt has the talent to overcome his wide draw in the final race at Gosford. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Racing in New South Wales on Friday is at Gosford, Ballina and Wellington.

Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Gosford.

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 7, No.10: WAY TO THE STARS

This colt from the Matthew Smith stable is loaded with talent but saddled with a wide draw. Good enough to stay unbeaten, luck permitting.

NEXT BEST

Race 5, No.5: AMARANTZ

Steps up to 1900m which is where she has always promised to be most effective.

VALUE BET

Race 4, No.8: HOT PRESS

Snowden/Triple Crown filly who has come back in good order. Impressive t/d winner on New Year’s Eve.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 4,5,8

Race 5: 4,5

Race 6: 3,4,8

Race 7: 10

Jason Collet has some good rides at Gosford including Way To The Stars. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Jason Collett has the ride on the up and coming three-year-old Way To The Stars in the last at Gosford.

BALLINA

BEST BET

Race 2, No.4: AMBITIOUS FELLA

Brother of Ambitious Prince, first-up here off two very nice trials. Go well.

NEXT BEST

Race 5, No.9: MULLAMOVA

Sent out some encouraging signs at her first preparation. Should run well again.

VALUE BET

Race 1, No.11: SPEED MAP

Allan Chau-trained colt who is the one beat off those last two seconds at the Gold Coast.

WELLINGTON

BEST BET

Race 6, No.2: BILLABONG ISLE

On target for a hat-trick at just her sixth race start here. Drawn to pull it off.

NEXT BEST

Race 7, No.5: ARIMATHEA

Has really thrived in her new surrounds. Fast horse who will take catching.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR GOSFORD

RACE 1

Rock The Bells has raced 11 times for a win, five seconds and two thirds so he is a wholly reliable horse. Barrier 5 of 10 is just about perfect for him; he can be handy as he likes and we know he will run a strong mile. In line for some ‘reward for effort’ here. Bob is on the quick back-up from Wyong on Saturday. He was $3.20 into $2.70 and beat one home but it was a Heavy 8 and he may have been looking for further. Tympanist was inches behind Rock The Bells when they both placed at Wyong on December 15.

Bet: Rock The Bells to win, exacta 3 to beat 5

RACE 2

All England is an I Am Invincible gelding out of a stakes-winning half-sister to Chautauqua. His two runs in August were both on the Kensington track and were both pretty good as was his first-up fifth here on December 29 when he finished off strongly late. Extra 100m a bonus. Kipsbay was nailed late first-up at Canterbury on December 17; won a trial at Rosehill 10-days ago. Major player. Take note that the blue-blood Blueskin (Snitzel - Arinosa) ran an eye-catching third in that trial. Camplin could give a sight from the draw.

Bet: All England to win, box trifecta 1,2,3,9

Josh Parr (pictured) rides Miss Tambo for Will Freedman. Picture: Trackside Photography

RACE 3

Miss Tambo was probably never going to be able to beat Reggie’s Boy at Muswellbrook 10-days but she sure did make a good fist of it, more so owing to the fact that she was on debut. She has trialled especially well a few weeks early. Drawn gate 1 here. Hayami is clearly better than what she showed at Warwick Farm. Almost certain to be ridden closer, much closer in fact, which should see a change in fortunes for her. Flying Shamus never featured on debut here but she trialled like she might run a race that day. Too early to be sacking her.

Bet: Miss Tambo to win, exacta 3 to beat 4

RACE 4

Hot Press has come back in good shape. She is by Press Statement so perhaps it was always the case that she would be a better filly at three which became evident from that impressive trial on November 23. Ran well first-up then was just too good for them in her 1200m maiden here on New Year’s Eve. Star Dynasty turned in a real eye-catcher at her first run for Ron Quinton, flashing up late to finish fourth in a deep Benchmark 64 race here. Drawn well as the Reece Jones claim again. Wolf Queen did it easily when she won her maiden here.

Bet: Hot Press to win

RACE 5

Amarantz is a daughter of Ammirata whose biggest win was at Gosford, this week 6 years ago, in the Belle of the Turf wearing these same colours. Amarantz is by Animal Kingdom so has stamina there to run 1900m. Her pattern says ‘yes’ but she is going to need the perfectly timed ride around Gosford. Royal Court is straight to 1900m at his second career run but a little further and he wins on debut over 1600m here on New Year’s Day. Nice type. Haven’t forgotten about Flying Witness who does look ‘the obvious one’ on paper. If there is a blowout, bet it is Madiba’s Queen.

Bet: Amarantz to win, box trifecta and First 4: No. 4,5,7,9, Daily Double 1st leg (5), 2nd leg (10)

Reece Jones (pictured) partners Amarantz at Gosford. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

Shadow Devil was $7 out to $10 when he made his debut here in a 1000m. It could only have been the wide draw that saw him open at $7 let alone get out to double figures. My tip ran last so I am not trying to rewrite history but how was he not going to run well off the trails? Bottom line is - he bolted in. Always hard to go maiden to a class 1 or in this case a benchmark 64 more so with a horse like Loch Lomond in the line-up. Secretively could maybe just come out and take no prisoners here.

Bet: Shadow Devil to win, quinella 3,8

RACE 7

Way To The Stars is a most appropriately named horse in that only time will tell where he ends up. Normal horses don’t win like he did at Nowra on debut back in late August. Spelled after that and has trialled like he has gone up a notch which is saying something. Bad alley is the only thing that stops him from being a moral. Petulant will make sure this is no slam dunk again for Way To The Stars but she’s drawn even worse. Rita May has done enough to warrant respect. Likely to be prominent for a good part of this. Very Sharp might be the one late on the scene.

Bet: Way To The Stars to win

Originally published as Raceday focus: Bets bets, inside mail for Gosford