Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Gosford on Saturday

Form expert Shayne O’Cass analyses Saturday’s 10-race card at Gosford presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis.

Form expert Shayne O’Cass analyses Saturday’s 10-race card at Gosford, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis.

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RACE 1: GOSFORD IT MIDWAY BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP 1200m

TRAFALGAR SQUARE (9) has raced at Gosford once, namely a closing third in between her Golden Gift debut (good) run and a not so good fifth of six in the Kindergarten. Only won once from 16 but talent is not the issue, it is her pattern of slow early/fast late that holds her back. Hope it doesn’t beat here again. APACHE BREEZE (4) is another backmarker in the Midway but if things goes his way, he could storm into the medals here.

Bet: Trafalgar Square each-way

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RACE 2: ORTUS FINANCIAL 2YO HANDICAP 1200m

From day one, KILMAN (2) has 1400m/1600m top shelf late two-yare-old then three-year-old Guineas type written all over him and I note with great interest but zero surprise that has a ticket in the Queensland Sires’ and J.J. Atkins. Just hope he gets around Gosford. INQUISITOR (8) could be saved for another day but he’s a handy prospect himself. SEQUISTA (1) has two very good runs on her resume at her only runs. HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT (6) has a bright future.

Bet: Kilman to win, Kilman to win Queensland Sires’ ($51) and J.J. Atkins ($51)

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RACE 3: TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP 1200m

ATMOSPHERIC ROCK (17) is, in my opinion, the best horse but the widest draw with the big weight on a track that could, on paper be poison to his pattern, is still somewhat hard to go past just with all the depth in his form. Speaking of depth, JOISELLE (4) has a third to Clear Thinking on her stylish resume. Barrier 3 could be the ‘winning draw’. CARRIBEAN KING (6) is from the Dunn stable (tick). The ‘cross’ is a mere three wins from 37 starts but at least two of them were first-up.

Bet: Atmospheric Rock to win or if scratched Joiselle to win

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RACE 4: POLVIN FENCING SYSTEMS 3&4YO BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP 1600m

Can see why AUTOMNE TREE (9) was nominated for the Derby. Look at the pedigree; he is by The Autumn Sun out of a close relative of the Melbourne Cup winner, Gold Trip. I tipped him first-up and he surely did enough to get a pass mark, sixth of 12, fitness telling the last bit. How’s this for a couple of scalps? LAST COMMAND (5) won the Paul Perry in March last year beating Just Party and, drum roll please, Broadsiding. Impressive last start winner.

Bet: Automne Tree to win, Automne Tree each-way in the Queensland Derby ($101/$26)

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RACE 5: TOOHEYS BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 2100m

TRAPALANDA (15) is a Highclere/Archibald gelding who came from Ireland with a record of two seconds and a 2414m Maiden win by two and a half lengths at Listowel. Had two fitness trials prior to his honourable debut in an 1800m Benchmark 78 on the Kensington where he was $21 into $17 and ran accordingly; as in ‘good for next time’. MR BUSTER (14) has had a lovely lead in to this 2100m race, third-up. Sydney form is quite okay. SO DAZZLING (2) is a player but is only one from 25.

Bet: Trapalanda each-way, quinella 14, 15

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RACE 6: TRIPLE M THUNDER THOUSAND BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 1000m

RANTAN (12) won on debut in memorable barnstorming fashion but it was her last four starts, three of them anyway, where she has impressed most with her consistency and at a decent level of racing. She went out on a high and trialled really well when third to Jedibeel and Crafty Eagle no less. Just needs a good ride around here. LULUMON (10), who was third in the Inglis Challenge on debut, has run a lot more good races than bad. As for trials, hers have been as good as anything on the day.

Bet: Rantan, Lulumon each-way

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RACE 7: GUARDIAN SAFETY SOLUTIONS GOSFORD GOLD CUP 2100m

HEZASHOCKA (3) won last year’s Gosford Cup, which was run at Newcastle, a track that is much more favourable to him. This son of Shocking has run in some huge races and more or less held his own against the likes of Mr Brightside, Zaaki, Mo’Unga, Alligator Blood and Dubai Honour. Frankly barrier 1 and Gosford has me worried but plenty of faith in the horse. There’s a big race in MR WATERVILLE (13). Probably more a handicap over a bit longer but still he’s going well.

Bet: Hezashocka to win, Mr Waterville to place

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RACE 8: THE COAST 3&4YO QUALITY 1600m

DEPTH OF CHARACTER (2) was so dominant winning the Queensland Guineas last Saturday. I really rate the third placed Churchill’s Choice so I had to mark the winner ‘up’ again for how easily he did it. Caveat is that this is a different set-up in that he is taking on older horses and gives all bar one of them a weight advantage. The market may well tell the story regarding the very well-credentialed ROYAL SUPREMACY (7) who would have been my on-top pick but for barrier 15. WOOTTON VERNI (4) was well-backed first-up, lost, but way too early to give up on.

Bet: Depth Of Character to win, Daily Double 1st Leg (2), 2nd Leg (4)

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RACE 9: DE BORTOLI WINES TAKEOVER TARGET STAKES 1200m

PEREILLE (9) has finished with a medal at 18 of his 23 starts, 11 of them are silver. That’s a lot of second but what I found interesting and appealing about this son of Fastnet Rock is that all four of his wins are at this trip. On top of that, he is at home on any surface. BRUDENELL (2) has won 10 from 26. Any horse that wins 10 races in this era has to be hugely admired and he’s done it in 26 starts. Excuses last start; trialled well since. Chances go up if the track gets better.

Bet: Pereille to win, quinella 2, 9

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RACE 10: RAILWAY HOTEL GOSFORD BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 1200m

MEMORIA (4) has come a long way since winning her debut in a 1000m Maiden at Tamworth on August 2 in 2022. Her resume boasts seven wins and 11 placings from 26 starts. She ran third in the Mona Lisa Prelude in September behind Pajanti who goes well. That’s the same mare she beat at Randwick on April 26. One more thing; Memoria is three visits to Gosford for two wins. Dual acceptor ATMOSPHERIC ROCK (12) (Race 3) has claims. KING OF ROSEAU (5) has held his own against some stars of his foal crop from day one.

Bet: Memoria to win

Originally published as Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Gosford on Saturday