Race-by-race preview and tips for Thursday meeting at Gosford

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Selections based on a good track

Race 1 – 12:35pm: GREG WITHERS 60TH BIRTHDAY MAIDEN PLATE (1600 METRES)

1. Avonview is a lightly raced gelding in the Anthony Cummings stable and lines up for his third start here. Avonview has been prominent in both starts and not beaten far when fourth at Kembla Grange and second at Hawkesbury. Should push forward from a wide draw and the step-up to the mile should suit.

Racing returns to Gosford on Thursday.

Dangers: 3. Yet He Moves is lightly raced and resumes from a spell with a solid placing at Hawkesbuy. With the benefit of improvement, Yet He Moves should be in the thick of things again. 4. Harper’s Siren strips fitter for her resuming effort, while 7. Mr Caleb and 5. Highland Cathedral have place claims.

How to play it: Avonview WIN.

Race 2 – 1:10pm: TERRIGAL HOTEL PROVINCIAL MAIDEN PLATE (1200 METRES)

11. Pier Pressure is the class runner of this field having been placed in the group 1 Inglis Sires’ during the autumn carnival. Pier Pressure has had two trials to prepare for her return to racing here, and she has the benefit of barrier three. Can break her maiden status in this.

Dangers: 12. Tender Streak has been placed in each of her three starts and on form she looks the only danger to Pier Pressure. 10. Dubai Dame is on debut for the Brad Widdup stable and could sneak into the placings, while 6. Catchy Tunes is another with place claims.

How to play it: Pier Pressure WIN.

Race 3 – 1:50pm: SCAPE PROPERTIES MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

1. Global Empire enjoyed a good run on the speed at Newcastle two weeks ago. He dashed clear and looked the winner only to be run down by a promising first starter in Miss Couver. Global Empire can take up a forward position again here and the drop back to 1000m looks made to order.

Dangers: 2. Mexico raced against a lot better opposition than he meets here in his two-year-old season and has had a couple of trials to prepare for this return. 5. Rapido and 4. Pre Eminence are both on debut here and can figure in the placings.

How to play it: Global Empire WIN.

Race 4 – 2:25pm: AIRPAK SHEETMETAL MIDWAY BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

8. Commander Bell has been racing well of late with placings in each of his latest three starts. He fought hard to the line when second to Prime Impact at Newcastle two weeks ago and with any luck from an awkward draw can go one better.

Dangers: 1. Pure Hydrogen improved on his resuming run to score at Kembla Grange in good style last time out. He’s drawn well in this and should be thereabouts again. 2. Sidereal will race on the speed here and will take running down, while 6. Remus has been racing well and can figure in the placings.

How to play it: Commander Bell EACH WAY.

Race 5 – 3:05pm: THOMAS PAINTING BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (2100 METRES)

7. Classic Deel is on the quick back-up following a strong finishing third at Hawkesbury last Thursday. The mare looks suited by the step-up to 2100m in this, and she is at her peak after three runs back from a spell.

Dangers: 3. Diamond Drummer raced on the speed to score at Newcastle last time out and should give plenty of cheek again. 2. Jack Duggan is fitter for three runs back from a spell and should be given consideration. 1. Seahaven ran well in a TAB Highway last time out and has claims.

How to play it: Classic Deel EACH WAY.

Race 6 – 3:40pm: SKILLION POOLS F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

3. Captain Amelia was a city winner on debut last campaign then took on better company in two subsequent city starts without being disgraced before being spelled. She has been given two trials to fit her for this return and has the services of James McDonald.

Dangers: 1. Ponca was down the track in one run last campaign, but her form at her previous campaign was solid enough to give her a chance in a race like this. 7. Flying Tyrol and 4. I Am Mighty are both capable of sneaking into the placings.

How to play it: Captain Ameilia WIN.

Race 7 – 4:15pm: TITAN FINANCIAL PLANNING CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

Resuming 1.Ironbark Artie is back from a spell for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden. The gelding failed at Canberra before being spelled. Before that, Ironbark Artie ran third behind subsequent Australian Derby winner Major Beel at Warwick Farm.

Dangers: 4. Cool Lad has been racing consistently of late and another forward showing is on the cards with the benefit of the apprentice claim. 10. Magic Statement dominated from the front when scoring impressively at Scone when resuming, while 9. Secret Spy can be thereabouts on his best form.

How to play it: Ironbark Artie WIN.

Race 8 – 4:55pm: TERRIGAL/WAMBERAL SHARKS CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

4. Capital Heart had good city form at his initial campaign then returned from a spell and justified odds-on favouritism to score at Kembla Grange. The step-up to 1100m shouldn’t be any concern, and Nash Rawiller takes the ride.

Dangers: 2. Stanislaus was just behind the placings at Newcastle when resuming from a spell and strips fitter for this with James McDonald taking the ride. 3. Cable Tie ran well when narrowly beaten at Hawkesbury earlier this month when resuming and can be thereabouts again, while 1. Egyptian Tycoon is first-up from a spell and his most recent trial was sound.

How to play it: Capital Heart WIN.

Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

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