Race-by-race preview and tips for Gosford on Sunday

Selections based on a good track.

Race 1

8. Southport is a Bivouac colt on debut from the Brad Widdup stable and he’s looked good in both trials at Canterbury and Hawkesbury. He’s drawn awkwardly here but looks to have the potential to overcome that obstacle. 9. Sparkling Fire is also on debut and is a son of Trapeze Artist. He’s won each of his two trials and only needs to run up to those efforts to be hard to hold out. 1. Don’t ran an encouraging race when making his debut with a fourth at Hawkesbury and should be close-up at the finish again. 5. Difensivo ran second at Muswellbrook at his second start in a race and backed that up with a fourth on the Beamont track at Newcastle.
How to play it: Southport WIN.

Race 2

2. Lady Tassort debuted in the Gimcrack Stakes of 2023 with a seventh behind Manaal. She wasn’t beaten far in that event and hasn’t raced since. She’s been fitted for her return with two barrier trials and has won each of them at Randwick and on the Kensington track. She looks primed to come back in winning form. 12. Mythology is a filly on debut, and she’s had a couple of trials in preparation, winning the latest of them at Randwick. She should get every chance from the inside barrier. 10. Mercy Me was first-up from a spell at Scone and started favourite when finishing second after racing on the pace. She can give cheek again here. 9. Lady Of The Castle is also having her first race start and won the latest of her trials on the Kensington track at Randwick. A bold showing is on the cards on debut.
How to play it: Lady Tassort WIN.

Race 3

4. Ballpark looked good winning a trial before making his debut with a solid second at Hawkesbury. He quickly followed that up with a last-start victory at Kembla Grange when racing on the speed and holding on well. He should figure again with a repeat of that effort. 2. So Long Farewell fought on well for a second at Wyong two starts back and then was close up when a last-start fourth at Hawkesbury. This looks within his reach. 1. New Business wasn’t far away when fourth at Warwick Farm when last produced and has the advantage of barrier one. 9. Murphilly has been racing well with a win and a second, and should give plenty of cheek again.
How to play it: Ballpark WIN.

How to play it: Ballpark WIN.

Race 4

2. True Amor had solid form earlier in the year and then had two trials before resuming from a spell on the Beaumont track at Newcastle and doing the job well to score a dominant win. He led throughout in that event and won by a big margin, and looks capable of doing the same here. 1. Iron Man was first up from a spell when last produced at Coffs Harbour and he did the job well to score a good win. 4. Zoutastic led throughout to score an easy win at Hawkesbury when resuming and has claims again. 7. Sociable is rarely too far from the action and is suited by the small field.
How to play it: True Amor WIN.

Race 5

5. Caffe Florian ran well on debut at Canterbury when finishing third and since then has been ultra-impressive in winning her next two runs at Canterbury. She’s attacked the line well in both of those wins and only needs to have maintained that form to be the one to beat again. 1. Memo is a well-performed filly that has taken on top-grade races throughout her career and resumes here after a trial on the Kensington track. 3. Benevac won at Canterbury in September and comes into this after a second at the same track when fresh. 9. Mareth impressed when scoring a last-start win at Canterbury when hitting the line well and another forward showing is on the cards.
How to play it: Caffe Florian WIN.

Race 6

3. Chico Mojito hasn’t won for an extended period but is rarely too far from the action and finished it off well enough when a last start third at Rosehill. She should take plenty of holding out. 4. Kind Words won in good style at Rosehill when last produced and has claims, while 6. Hyperbolic is in form after two straight city wins. 11. The Mona Lisa is up in class but is racing well and has gate one.
How to play it: Chico Mojito WIN.

Race 7

7. Gambler was a winner at Hawkesbury before being spelled then placed at Hawkesbury when resuming, before a midfield effort at Kembla Grange. He can bounce back here. 1. Valilee won his first two starts and then resumed with a second at Hawkesbury. He can bounce back here. 5. Apollo Ridge is a last start Hawkesbury winner that can go on with the job, while 12. Bianca Mia was a winner on debut at Gosford and resumes here as a leading contender again.
How to play it: Gambler WIN.

Best bets

Race 4: (2) True Amor
Race 5: (5) Caffe Florian

Best value

Race 3: (4) Ballpark

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au