Gundagai preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, April 6, 2025

Trainer Ben Brisbourne has won two of the three Gundagai features and is looking to Star Buyer to help him complete the set.

Trainer Ben Brisbourne is chasing victory in the Gundagai Cup with Star Buyer. Picture: Getty Images

Wangaratta trainer Ben Brisbourne has two of the three Gundagai feature races on his resume and hopes to complete the set with Star Buyer.

Brisbourne won the Snake Gully Cup with Superazi and Hair Of The Dog Cup with Oceans Of Stamina at the two-day carnival in November 2023 and feels Star Buyer can give him that third leg in the Gundagai Cup (1800m) this weekend.

The son of Written Tycoon heads into the Cup off the back of two close seconds – the Towong Cup (1600m and then a Benchmark 66 Handicap at Wagga last Sunday where he carried 59.5kg.

“It was a really good run at Wagga the other day which was his first try over the 1800m,” said Brisbourne.

Burgundy Girl salutes in the third at Wagga for Keith Dryden and Libby Snowden! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/inBlOS1caO

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 30, 2025

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!

“He had been carrying a bit of weight in those races so I thought let’s try him in a better race with no weight. He drops down to 53.5kg after Holly’s (Durnan) claim.”

Star Buyer raced on speed on the Towong Cup but showed his versatility when coming from last with a big finish down the outside to finish just over a half-length behind Burgundy Girl last weekend.

“While he has raced well racing up near the speed, I do think he prefers to sit back a little bit and come around them,” Brisbourne said.

“The track usually favours those on speed but in these middle distance races, you can sit midfield to back and come over the top late.

“Gundagai is a track we have had plenty of luck at in recent years.

“We have won the Snake Gully Cup and the Hair Of The Dog Cup. It would be great if we can complete the full set.”

Aside from Star Buyer, Brisbourne brings a strong team to the meeting.

His first runner is First Day who makes her debut for his stable in the Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1800m) after only joining his team last month.

“We haven’t had her very long but she arrived in really good conditions; nice and fit,” he said.

“In the time I’ve had her, I thought she would appreciate going clockwise.

“This race came up as something quite suitable. She is winner in a field that doesn’t have many winners in it.

Amphactor is too strong in the final furlong, staving them off 💪@FKersleypic.twitter.com/Dcbip2kK57

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 13, 2025

“Being a mare, she gets an allowance and again with Holly’s claim, gets some weight off her back.

“I would be disappointed if she doesn’t finish in the top three.”

Riverina Lightning is also first-up for Brisbourne in the 3YO Maiden Handicap (1000m) after joining his team a couple of months ago.

She was a handy third on debut at Penshurst on debut before finishing last at Moonee Valley prior the stable change.

“She came to us because she is eligible for the BOBS Bonus and we can jump across the border from Wangaratta and contest those BOBS races,” he said.

“She has had two trials and a jumpout so she is nice and fit for her first-up assignment.

“She has drawn well and should be very competitive.”

Sydney Gal was only just pipped by Amphactor at Wangaratta two starts back and that performance should put her right in contention in the Class 2 Handicap (1400m).

“I think it will,” Brisbourne said.

“We tried her over a mile last start on a very heavy track at Albury and she didn’t disgrace herself,

“This looked a nice race coming back to 1400m.

“She has drawn a little sticky but I’m happy for her to go around and take her chance.”

Brisbourne also feels Missy Spike can run well in the other Class 2 Handicap (1400m).

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 8 No. 4: County Kilkenny

Good win in the Albury Mile last start and has been terrific in both 1800m runs in town.

NEXT BEST

Race 1 No. 1: Kotaishi

Narrowly beaten first-up for new stable. Can go one better.

VALUE BET

Race 7 No. 7: Zoutempus

Handy second on debut. resumed with a tough win and a chance again.

QUADDIE

Race 6: 1, 2, 7, 8

Race 7: 5, 7, 9

Race 8: 4, 11, 12

Race 9: 2, 8, 10

Blaike McDougall will be popular in the TAB Jockey Challenge. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Blaike McDougall looks hard to beat in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL – GUNDAGAI

RACE 1

Kotaishi debuted for a new stable with a nose second behind Hazel Jean over 1300 at Canberra. Was narrowly beaten by Zan over 1550m at Canterbury last campaign. Sister Shay is knocking on the door after two handy seconds. Was a head away from Star Empire at Wagga before beating all bar Eclair Awesome at Albury. Qismah was sixth in that same Albury race where she didn’t handle the soft track. Was third at Sandown before that.

Bet: Kotaishi to win

RACE 2

Christmas Star followed two third placings at Wagga with a close third behind Media Coverage at Orange. Has been freshened for this and drawn ideally. Bessie La Belle beat all bar Tomanado at Albury two runs back before a third to stablemate One Hard Lady. Placed three of four and a win isn’t far away. Roullottie sat third and finished there behind After The One at Corowa the settled second when third to Hollerloud at Wagga.

Bet: Roullottie to win

RACE 3

Ana Carolina makes her debut for a new stable. Was runner-up to Sounds Unusual at Canterbury on Jan 1 and beaten a nose by Formal on the Beaumont on Feb 10. Strong form for this. First Day is also having her first run for a new trainer after two runs this prep. She won her maiden over 1980m at Tatura last May. Gets in well against mostly maidens with her mares claim and Holly Durnan’s claim. Southern Dancer won’t be far away.

Bet: Ana Carolina to win

The opener at Canterbury goes to Sounds Unusual, and it's a wining start to 2025 for @cwallerracing and @nashhot!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/WurIBuI61M

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 1, 2025

RACE 4

Isagura raced well last campaign with two second placings. Closed nicely late when beaten a head by odds-on fav Threefold at Nowra at her last run in November. Riverina Lightning ran nice third on debut at Penshurst before going to Moonee Valley second-up. Debuts for a new camp and has trialled nicely including a Wangaratta heat win on Mar 19. Broken Image has place claims on her nose second behind Elastane Miss at Albury two starts back.

Bet: Isagura to win

RACE 5

Dupli Kate followed a first-up win at Canberra with a fourth in the Guineas Prelude there after being held up on the home turn. Made ground from last in a sprint home when third to Win The Day and Canadian Ruler last start. Zipitalist went back to last and closed strong to finish a three length seventh of 14 behind Imposant in the Provincial-Midway Qualifier at Kembla last start. Flew home for third to Fourcade at Goulburn before that. Sydney Gal and Midnight Affair have place claims.

Bet: Dupli Kate to win

RACE 6

Another Fortune kicked off his preparation with an upset win over Royal Bombadier at Kembla on Jian 29. Drops in grade from his ninth behind The right rein on a Bm74 at Goulburn and gets a 2kg claim. Railway Avenue is better than his seventh to So Magnificent at Orange last start. Has claims on his Cowra win and fourth to Chico Casino at Bathurst. Order To Charge and miss Spike have claims.

Bet: Another Fortune each-way

Zoutempus hangs on at @goulburnraces! 🥵@NickHeywood8pic.twitter.com/2RcNG6sugN

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 23, 2025

RACE 7

Zoutempus was backed into odds-on fav on debut when a half-length second to She’s High Society at the Sapphire Coast on Dec 2. Resumed with a fighting win from Sir Franklin at Goulburn on Mar 23. Still a little green and will keep improving. One Hard Lady kicked off her career with a big all-the-way win by nearly five lengths from Smart As Grace at Albury. Looks the hardest to beat. Miss Mikki Isle hasn’t missed a place in six starts including a Super Maiden win at Wagga. Will be prominent again.

Bet: Zoutempus each-way

RACE 8

County Kilkenny wasn’t disgraced when eighth in the Country Championship Qualifier at Wagga before bouncing back with a nice win over 1600m at Albury. Has a Kensington win and close Randwick second at the 1800m. Star Buyer raced on speed when runner-up in the Towong Cup over 1600m before flashing home late when second under 59.5kg at his first go over 1800m at Wagga. Drops to 53.5kg. Sturn Words has his first go at the trip but has been good over the mile and should handle it.

Bet: County Kilkenny to win

RACE 9

Jinsoku was fourth behind Misty Legend at Warwick Farm first-up before a fourth to Hellbent On You at Hawkesbury. Both wins have been at 1200m and looks hard to beat. Keikoku came from a long way back when a two length sixth at Kembla last start. Nice win at Wagga before that. Dolly and Chasing A Quid have place claims.

Bet: Jinsoku to win