Trainer David Payne has Fox Fighter and Navajo Peak on target for a feature double at Gosford’s stand-alone meeting
Trainer David Payne bid farewell to stable star Montefilia this week but quickly turned his attention to the Takeover Target Stakes and Gosford Gold Cup with two in-form gelding.
Trainer David Payne has a very real opportunity to claim the feature race double with Fox Fighter and Navajo Peak at the Gosford stand-alone meeting on Saturday.
Fox Fighter looks over the odds at $11 for the Listed $200,000 Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) and Navajo Peak is rated a $5 chance for the Listed $250,000 Gosford Gold Cup (2100m).
If Payne can win either or both of the Gosford stakes races, it will be some consolation for the trainer after his stable star, four-time Group 1 winner Montefilia was sold to Yulong for $3.4 million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on Thursday night.
Payne admitted he is unsure if Montefilia’s new owners will consider racing the mare for another season or retiring her to stud for the spring breeding season.
“I was at the sale and said goodbye to her just in case,” the trainer said.
Payne then turned his attention to the Gosford meeting and is confident his stable duo, Fox Fighter and Navajo Peak, will be hard to beat.
“Fox Fighter ran well first-up at Hawkesbury (fourth behind Malkovich) and has a brilliant turn of foot so the good track will suit him,” Payne said.
“I’m not sure how he will go getting around Gosford, I’d prefer a bigger track, but there is good speed in the race so he should get his chance to hit the line.
“Navajo Peak has pulled up well from his Rosehill run (second to Marsabit) last week and he will give this race a shake.
“He has drawn a little awkwardly but with his lightweight he can be more forward and he’s a real trier.”
THE BEST BARRIERS
The best barriers at Gosford for the last 3 years (in order of wins)
1000m: 6,2,5,1
1200m: 2,3,4,6
1600m: 1,3,2,4
2100m: 1,2,3,4
EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 2,9,12,13
Race 4: 3,4,6,8
Race 5: 1,2,11
Race 6: 1,2,3,10
QUADDIE
Race 7: 1,2,7,10
Race 8: 4,8,10,12
Race 9: 2,8,11
Race 10: 2,3,7,12
THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Matusalem $5.50-$4.60, Tumbling $10-$6
Race 2: Salire $8-$6.50, Demitasse $11-$7
Race 3: Broken Arrows $9.50-$4.60 with bets of $500 at $9.50, $500 at $8 and $500 at $7.50
Race 4: Dream Hour $11-$8
Race 5: Biscayne Bay $6.50-$4.40, Hometruths $9-$5
Race 6: Kin $6.50-$4.60, Command Approved $6.50-$5
Race 7: Clemenceau $6-$4.80, Fashion Legend $8-$7
Race 8: Military Expert $8-$5, Pretty Amazing $11-$7.50, Kayobi $11-$7.50
Race 9: Navajo Peak $8-$5, Lions Roar $15-$8.50
Race 10: Short Shorts $4.60-$4.40, Flag Of Honour $6-$4.80
PRICE CHECK
Broken Arrows (race 3) has been a big shortener in betting for the Midway Handicap. TAB Fixed Odds price assessors opened the David Pfieffer-trained Broken Arrows at $9.50 earlier in the week but the sprinter is into $4.60 and firming after bets of $500 at $9.50, $500 at $8 and $500 at $7.50.
TRIAL POINTERS
Chrysoar (race 1) is a Chris Waller-trained colt by one-time Randwick 1200m course record holder, Queensland based stallion Better Than Ready. A close relative of the Taree-bred, Hong Kong idol Silent Witness, Chrysoar was bought at the Magic Millions sale in 2022 for $115,000. The Star Thoroughbreds colt has already paid down $93,300 in just four starts with the promise of more to come. Waller’s charge looked the part in his April 21 trial at Warwick Farm finishing an unhurried third in the 803m heat.
Kin (race 6) is a James Cummings-trained filly who has contested some lofty races in her eight starts including the Percy Sykes in Sydney and the Thoroughbred Breeders Club Stakes in Melbourne (finished fourth). A member of Impending’s first crop, Kin has been tuned-up for her campaign opening with two trials last month, both of which were rock solid. Will carry a light weight in Saturday’s MMM Thunder Thousand Handicap (1000m) and with a good draw should she be able to capitalise.
SECTIONAL STARS
Eye See Things (race 3) will wear the famous Saintly and So You Think colours in this weekend’s Midway on the Gosford Gold Cup undercard. The John Thompson-trained mare has only managed to win three of her 28 starts but has racked up 11 placings. To be fair to the mare, her racing pattern is not wholly conducive to winning but when the tempo is right, she can really launch late as was the case when she charged into second place at Warwick Farm on April 19.
Biscayne Bay (race 5) is a Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare whose earnings are a few dollars short of $300,000. Granted that is a not insignificant sum and there is more left to do on the racetrack, but it well worth pointing out that she has considerable worth as a broodmare given that she is a Sebring great-granddaughter of Skating. As for Saturday’s assignment, Biscayne Bay made up many lengths when a fast-closing fifth in the 1800m Benchmark 78 at Hawkesbury on Cup Day.
BEST BET
Turning (race 3) was resuming at Kensington on Anzac Day and was desperately unlucky when fourth over 1000m. The Kim Waugh-trained Turning was held up for most of the final 400m and went to the line without being fully tested, finishing less than a length behind the winner. He’s drawn well, has a very good second-up record and is ready to win.
VALUE BET
Lord Ardmore (race 9) got further back than anticipated then didn’t have any galloping room in the straight when sixth to New Mandate in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup. He’s very fit after recent racing, should be able to settle closer to the lead and has the tactical speed that is suited around Gosford. Good value around $7.
THE JUDGMENT
R7: Takeover Target Stakes (1200m)
Richard Haynes (TAB): “This really is the chance for Clemenceau to win a good race and take a scalp of two. He’s at the peak of his powers third up and he’s drawn to get the perfect run. This is lovely placement by Team Hawkes, and I think he’s the horse to beat. This race isn’t a Grand Final for Think About It but he’s an emerging horse and I can see him flashing home late. Zethus seems big odds here and this is the easiest grade of race Shades Of Rose has seen for a while.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Winning form is good form and Think About It has won six races in seven starts. Sam Clipperton rode him in all four victories last preparation as well as his latest trial win in preparation for this. He is two from two over 1200m and he should give this race a big shake. He goes on top from Fashion Legend who also has a terrific record.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Tricky but intriguing race. Think About It looks an emerging talent but happy to take on first up from the draw. Fashion Legend a horse continually improving and trialled up really solidly for this. Can see him getting the perfect run leaders back and is strong. Fox Fighter will charge at them late and not without a hope.”
Rohan Welsh (TAB): “Think About It ($3.10) has drifted from the opening $2.80 but still holds about 45 per cent of the TAB outlays with the money spread fairly evenly across the next four betting lines.”
Verdict: Think About It
R8: The Coast (1600m)
Richard Haynes (TAB): “I’m very happy to stick with Welwal again. I’m sure he has a good race in him, and recent runs suggest he’s all set to break through for his first Aussie win shortly. Kayobi is an exciting prospect for the Sam Kavanagh stable and this is no doubt a fair test for him. But from a favourable barrier what better time to try this company than now, I expect him to be in the money somewhere. Thalassophile has developed into a consistent Listed to Group class mare. Military Expert gets his preferred dryer track and should get all the favours from an inside draw. At big odds, don’t let I’ve Bean Tryin’ get under your guard.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “I thought Palmetto put in a great effort first up where he was three wide without cover and still had the audacity to hit them line with them. The writing was on the wall with that run and he came out and won easily at BM88 level at Hawkesbury. Kerrin McEvoy sticks with him and he will enjoy the soft conditions.
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Even affair with $5 the field. Pretty Amazing has been a good firm since markets were posted $9-$7.50 off an effortless win last time out. Drawn to settle closer and building an impressive record. Bellatrix Black attracts money at a price $41-$26.”
Rohan Welsh (TAB): “There has been strong money for Kayobi who is $11 into $7.50 and best backed so far ahead of favourite Military Expert ($5). Bellatrix Black has also attracted interest and been slashed from $51 into $26.”
Verdict: Kayobi
Kayobi and @samkavracing are off to the Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships Final after a big first-up win in the @gosford_races qualifier. Local galloper Audette also earns a spot running second while early leader Espirito ran third. @tabcomau@MartinCollinsA1pic.twitter.com/PWMAT76yzf
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 16, 2023
R9: Gosford Gold Cup (2100m)
Richard Haynes (TAB): “Navajo Peak appears to be in a good place at the moment and he’ll do me in this affair. He drops nicely in weight (albeit up in grade) and it’ll just be up to Rachel King to give him the right run. Diamil is in terrific form and is clearly going to be hard to hold out again. Barrier 1 could be a potentially tricky spot for him, but if he sees clear air at the right time he’ll be in the money. Lord Ardmore is getting fitter all the time and you just know Chris Waller would have had this race in mind for him for a while. Bois D’Argent adds plenty of interest, I can’t get his super Aussie debut last preparation out of my head and he is at his preferred distance in this event.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “I was a little disappointed with Lord Ardmore last start but I think he can bounce back here fourth up. He is racing like he wants further and the 2100m should be ideal. He is top pick from the favourite Diamil who has been racing in great form but does have to lump 60.5kg.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Impossible race. Desert Icon has been the best supported with us early $11-$8.50. Lord Ardmore the horse for me that looks primed and could even make a case for Rondino at huge odds who will improve greatly out to 2100m. A race to go wide in the Quaddie.”
Rohan Welsh (TAB): “Bois D’Argent ($12) has caught the eye of punters at double figures and has taken more money than $5 favourite, Diamil so far in an open betting race.”
Verdict: Bois D’Argent
Originally published as Trainer David Payne has Fox Fighter and Navajo Peak on target for a feature double at Gosford’s stand-alone meeting
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