Inside mail for 2024 The Gong Day at Kembla Grange: $35 bolter Converge poised to shock

He hasn’t won since beating champion Anamoe more than two years ago but Converge is set to prove he’s far from a spent force in The Gong.

Converge (Tim Clark) beats Anamoe to win the 2022 Group 1 Randwick Guineas. Picture: Mark Evans / Getty Images

Converge hasn’t won since beating champion Anamoe in the Randwick Guineas more than two years ago but is set to prove he’s far from a spent force in the Group 2 $1m The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

Adrian Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, insisted Converge was “going great” at trackwork.

“He can be hard to catch on his form but he’s working really well at home (trackwork),’’ Bott said.

“I thought he looked sharper in his recent trial and third-up he is ready to peak.

“On his day, he’s proven at the top level and hopefully he can put in a good performance on Saturday.’’

Converge and @clarkyhk were simply superb🙌@GaiWaterhouse1 adds another Group 1 to her tally, 30 years to the day since she saddled up her first runner! pic.twitter.com/IEm2ZsyDs9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 5, 2022

• KEMBLA EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony’s race-by-race tips and analysis for The Gong Day

Converge hasn’t won since he held off Anamoe’s late charge to win the 2022 Randwick Guineas. This was the Waterhouse-Bott gelding’s second win at Group 1 level and the most recent of his four career wins.

But Converge has shown glimpses of his ability since the Randwick Guineas with Group 1 placings in the Rosehill Guineas, George Ryder Stakes and Kingsford Smith Cup.

In latest TAB fixed odds betting, Converge is a $41 bolter for the big race behind $4.80 favourite Territory Express.

The Waterhouse and Bott stable is represented by emerging import Alalcance for the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m).

Too good Alalcance!

First up over 2140m and wins with ease, giving a double to the @GaiWaterhouse1-Bott stable with @nashhot in the saddle. pic.twitter.com/NFRpisBd6S

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 25, 2024

• Clinton Payne’s The Gong tips, runner-by-runner form analysis

Alalcance, who has firmed into $3.80 favouritism after the scratching of topweight Bullets High, is a lightly-raced former Irish mare who impressed at her Australian debut winning by nearly four lengths at Warwick Farm over 2140m in September.

Bott explained Alalcance hasn’t raced for two months by design, adding the mare has not had any “setbacks in training”.

“We just wanted to give her time to adjust to Australian racing and space her runs a bit more like the Europeans would,’’ Bott said.

“She will get further but we have put blinkers on which she hasn’t had in her trials and that might sharpen her up for the 2000m.’’

"Third-up now I feel he's ready to show his best for us."

Dual Group 1 winner Converge is likely to represent @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott in Saturday's $1m @illawarramerc Gong at @kemblaraces, Adrian says a recent trial win was encouraging. @[e-mail]/0e8T56gWxb

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) November 17, 2024

• Collett’s ‘tricky’ assignment comes with the Territory in The Gong

Bott is also confident The Novelist is ready to find top form in the closer, the Elite Soil & Sand Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m).

“The Novelist looks good, I’m very happy with him,’’ Bott said.

“He’s come through his last start well and should appreciate getting out 1200m. He’s continuing to improve.’’

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KEMBLA GRANT BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Lambay $6-$5, Moritz Girl $26-$12
Race 2: Monte Supreme $6-$4.80, Fumiko $11-$8, Direct Fire $11-$9.50
Race 3: Pisanello $2.80-$2.60, Duke Of Bronte $4.60-$3.70, Tristate $8-$7
Race 4: Wooloowin $8-$3.80, Harry’s Bar $8-$5.50
Race 5: Gilded Water $6-$4.80, Be Real $15-$10
Race 6: Blazing Harry $4.60-$4, Midnight Opal $8-$6.50 with a $2000 bet at $7, Heed The Omens $15-$10
Race 7: Tavi Time $4.60-$3.90, Estadio Mestalla $8-$6.50, Chica Mojito $11-$7, Elettrica $15-$10
Race 8: Territory Express $6-$4.80 with a wager of $1000 e/w at $4.50/$1.87, Steparty $11-$6.50 with a $1000 e/w wager at $7/$2.40, King Of The Castle $15-$8.50
Race 9: Headwall $6-$4.80, Dragonstone $8-$5, Brudenell $11-$9.50
Race 10: Disneck $8-$6, Bunker Hut $15-$6.50, Starman $11-$8.50

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EARLY QUADDIE TIPS
Race 3: 1,4,11
Race 4: 2,6,7,8
Race 5: 2,4,7,11
Race 6: 1,3,13,14

QUADDIE TIPS
Race 7: 2,3,11,14
Race 8: 1,3,9,12
Race 9: 1,7,9,10
Race 10: 1,4,12,16

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PRICE CHECK

TERRITORY EXPRESS (race 8) has firmed from $6 to $4.80 favouritism for The Gong after consistent support this week including a wager of $1000 each way at $4.50/$1.87. STEPARTY has also firmed from $11 to $6.50 after a $1000 each way wager at $7. BUNKER HUT (race 10) has been well supported in the Kembla closer firming from $15 to $6.50.

Is a change of luck all that's needed for Territory Express ($6 @tabcomau) to win Saturday's The Gong?@kemblaraces@racing_nswpic.twitter.com/8FxYX5beSm

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 19, 2024

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TRIAL POINTERS

GILDED WATER (race 5) is a former English galloper owned by His Majesty King Charles III, and has had four starts, winning once at Chepstow before joining the Ciaron Maher stable. He only had the one barrier trial to prepare for his Australian debut but there was a lot to like about the way he showed early speed, travelled three wide without cover but still closed off the 1200m heat strongly to finish third. He’s one to watch at his Australian debut.

A horse owned by His Majesty King Charles III, Gilded Water, does his best work late to finish third in a Warwick Farm trial behind Hopeful and Baby Rider. @racing_nsw | @aus_turf_club | @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/qjwdnycGx9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 28, 2024

IOWNA MERC (race 9) resumes in The Warra but he is a noted first-up performer and his recent barrier trial win over 821m at Warwick Farm suggests he is trained up for this race. Iowna Merc settled back in the field, went wide on the turn and zoomed down the outside to win the trial by a widening 2½ lengths without being fully tested. The Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter is ready to win.

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SECTIONAL STARS

HEADWALL (race 9) returned to top form with a dominant win in the Choisir Handicap at Royal Randwick on Cup Day. The track wasn’t lightning fast that day and Headwall’s overall time for the 1000m was 57.8sec but he ran his final 600m sectional in a stunning 32.87sec Headwall is flying and will be hard to beat in The Warra.

Headwall gets the cash at Randwick - and it's a double to Jason Collett 🙌@mcsmithracing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/5XCejPQq2I

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 5, 2024

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BEST BET

PISANELLO (race 3) is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He was brilliant at Warwick Farm first-up then even better at Flemington taking out the closer during Cup Week. The Godolphin sprinter is very progressive and boasts a powerful finishing sprint. Pisanello looks placed to advantage at Kembla Grange and with even luck in running he can maintain his winning momentum.

JMac makes it a record 11 wins across the Melbourne Cup Carnival riding Pisanello home in the last, the World Horse Racing Grand Handicap.

🎥 @wwos | #StakesDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/98LqL1D58L

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 9, 2024

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VALUE

BOJANGLES (race 10) lost momentum at a vital stage in the straight then had to switch course back inside but running on well for fifth to Headwall when resuming over the Randwick 1000m earlier this month. He was entered for Newcastle last week but was scratched when he drew off the track. Bojangles hasn’t fared all that well again at the barriers but the step up to 1200m suits, this is a slightly easier race and he is effective second-up from a spell. Good each way value.

.@TommyBerry21 makes it back-to-back wins with Bojangles in the last from @WyongRaceClub. pic.twitter.com/bV4w9KO0GP

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 13, 2023

Originally published as Inside mail for 2024 The Gong Day at Kembla Grange: $35 bolter Converge poised to shock