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Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Five to follow from The Gong day

Racenet’s Mitch Cohen has run the rule over all the action from Saturday’s $1 million The Gong meeting at Kembla Grange.

Mitch Cohen
4 min read
November 25, 2024 - 6:51AM
Gilded Water gave King Charles III his first Australian winner at Kembla Grange. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images
Gilded Water gave King Charles III his first Australian winner at Kembla Grange. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

The Gong delivered another sensational display as Gringotts confirmed his rising star status while Blake Spriggs captured an emotional The Warra victory aboard Headwall.

It all unfolded on a lightning quick Kembla Grange track that saw track records tumble on a warm and windy afternoon.

Racenet’s Mitch Cohen has analysed all the action from Saturday’s meeting.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

GENTILESCHI (7th of 16, Race 1)
She was near last at the top of the straight but great over the concluding stages to finish in a midfield position. The 1400m still was short of her best and she will come into her own over more ground.

GILDED WATER (1st of 13, Race 5)
His Majesty King Charles III got his first win on Australian soil and it came via a horse that looks to have plenty more wins in him. It was a terrific performance over 2000m and he will get better over further.

ALALCANCE (2nd of 13, Race 5)
Ran into a good one in the form of Gilded Water but she was game on speed over 2000m when two months between runs. She’s doing it all in her first preparation in Australia.

GRINGOTTS (1st of 16, Race 8)
The Big Dance victor became a The Gong winner with another sensational frontrunning effort in the main event. If they push on to the Group 2 The Ingham now, he’s going to take a power of beating.

HEDGED (3rd of 11, Race 9)
Favourite backers left the money in the bag but he was solid enough over an unsuitable 1000m trip and was tightened for room late. Tipping he’s got a good race in him sometime this prep.

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STEWARDS SAY

Extraordinaire (race 5): Did not stretch out comfortably and was found to be 1/5 lame in the off foreleg. Will need vets clearance before racing or trialling again.

Saltcoats (race 6): Passed a pre-race veterinary examination but did not close off in the race with Tommy Berry of the opinion he needed more give in the ground. No abnormalities were found.

Rock Empire (race 7): Came under heavy pressure from the 600m and weakened in the straight. Was found to be 1/5 lame in the near hind leg with the stable indicating he will likely be spelled.

Territory Express (race 8): Stood flat-footed and missed the start by six lengths. Stewards advised trainer Paul Niceforo the gelding will now need to trial to their satisfaction before racing again.

Headwall (race 9): Jockey Blake Spriggs was fined $400 for celebrating before the winning post, while allowing his mount to shift into the rightful running of hedged. He was reprimanded for the latter.

Fleetwood (race 9): Revealed to be displaying a poor post-race recovery after finishing fourth in The Warra.

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CRUNCH TIME

Pisanello (race 3): Last away and first home in the 1000m sprint. He surged home along the fence to finish off in 56.05 seconds with a last 600m of 0:33.28.

I’mintowin (race 6): Led and had rivals chasing a long way from home before surging away to win in a new 1400m track best of 1:21.18 seconds. He did it while lugging 62kg.

Estadio Mestalla (race 7): Ran faster time than The Gong over the mile and set a new benchmark in the process when stopping the clock in 1:33.50 seconds with 62kg. Gringotts won the main event in 1:33.67.

Headwall (race 9): Didn’t have a runner behind with 700m to go before making a bold run down the centre of the track to win The Warra. He clocked a slick 55.92 seconds for the 1000m scamper.

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TRACK TALK

“I am getting a bit emotional, I guess cut my teeth around this area so have a lot of friends and family and I think he (Gringotts) is better than what I first thought he was.” — Jockey Tommy Berry.

“I think he is a Group 1 horse because he’s still improving.” — Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord on Gringotts.

“I’ve had plenty of low points in racing and my share of highs but today is the highlight with a horse that means so much.” — Jockey Blake Spriggs after Headwall’s win.

“He is a nice horse and there are plenty of wins to come I would say.” — Trainer Matt Smith on Headwall.

“This is the first time I’ve ridden in these colours so it is pretty special to win this race.” — Jason Collett after winning on Gilded Water, owned by His Majesty King Charles III.

“Ciaron (Maher) talked to the King a few weeks back. His Majesty loves his racing, he is very interested in the sport.” — Gerard-Dubord again.

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YOU CAN BET ON IT

RACE 7
Winner Estadio Mestalla held just 13 per cent of all TAB outlays, with most of the big money with second-placed Chica Mojito, third-placed Tavi Time and unplaced favourite Rock Empire.

THE GONG
Gringotts was heavily backed to win the Gong with a massive 32 per cent of the hold. One punter had $5000 on at $2.90 while there were separate $3000 and $2000 win bets at $2.90 and $2.80. The late money was for Territory Express who missed the start by five lengths.

THE WARRA
Hedged was backed off the map but Headway at $7.50 on the fixed odds got the chocolates. One punter had $2000 on Headway at $7 and there was a separate $2000 wager at $5.

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THE SCHEDULE
Monday: Grafton
Tuesday: Tamworth
Wednesday: Newcastle
Thursday: Hawkesbury, Ballina
Friday: Canterbury Park, Muswellbrook, Queanbeyan
Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Kembla Grange, Kempsey, Coonamble, Wagga Riverside
Sunday: Newcastle, Grafton

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RON DUFFICY’S KEMBLA GRANGE SNAPSHOT

RUN OF THE DAY
Gringotts has just gone from strength to strength at his past 2 preparations and did it again in The Gong. He has handled wide draws beautifully of late using his speed and then digs in with great determination late.

FORGET THEY RAN
It’s hard to forget but the bad boy Territory Express was up to his old tricks standing in the barrier and his chances were gone on the big day.

THE BLACK BOOK
Gilded Water arrived in Australia with a low rating giving Ciaron Maher plenty to work with moving forward. He could well turn into a real horse with time.

RIDE OF THE DAY
Chad Schofield is in great form of late and continued that with a gem on Estadio Mestalla just helping him the whole way with his big weight. His confidence is sky high at the moment.

Originally published as Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Five to follow from The Gong day

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