Betsy’s Set: Gold Coast

Turf Talk

• Rail +1m 1000m–400m; true remainder.
• Since the new turf has been down at the coast, it’s a track we’re still learning.
• You don’t have to be on speed to win, but being near the lead hasn’t hurt. Only a chance of light showers on raceday.

Stats That Matter

• Emily Lang continues a hot start to the season: 15 winners from 66 rides with a positive ROI of 32.9%.
• Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn has 5 winners from his past 15 starters and brings a solid team here. Moon Sweeper a big hope in Race 1.

Race 1

Some handy horses here but most have found their level. (6) Moon Sweeper has improved each run this prep and looks to peak here. He’s tactically versatile, they can use the gate, and the 3kg claim is a positive. (7) Make A Call has been consistent for the Gollan yard but 2 wins from 28 is the knock. (8) Delrico lacks a touch of class but made good ground last start and the big track should help. (9) Old Song can add value to exotics – home track and rock-hard fit.

(6) Moon Sweeper
(7) Make A Call
(8) Delrico
(9) Old Song

Race 2

Hard to knock the form of (6) Walsh Bay – wins in 3 of her last 4 and 5 from 12 overall. She can settle forward or back and just needs a good ride from the draw. (2) Sporting Chance and (4) Northern Decree produced similar efforts last start. Sporting Chance can hit a flat spot but is always strong late – best L200m last start and the second-best late split in his two runs before that. Northern Decree draws well and might sit closer. (11) Cavalry Man meets Walsh Bay 5kg better than when they went over the line together; mixed since, but must respect.

(2) Sporting Chance
(6) Walsh Bay
(4) Northern Decree
(11) Cavalry Man

Race 3

Interesting race. (1) Wisnierska will have big support after being the eye-catcher in better grade last start -best L600/L400/L200 there and will be strong late again. The query is 60kg and potentially giving them a start. (4) Dushenka was excellent on debut last prep before a southern trip to group company where she was well held; recent trial okay without being outstanding. (2) Profoundly was only a pass mark last time and draws wide, but has ability and gets the blinkers.

(1) Wisnierska
(4) Dushenka
(2) Profoundly

Race 4

(11) Akkadian Emperor is the horse in form and looks very well placed in a winnable race – strong trainers and rider. The rest mix their form. (2) Kirkeby was poor in Sydney but improved last start at Eagle Farm; hard to catch but can be around the money. (4) Bengal Boy alternates good runs with shockers – his best is good enough. (1) Tapildoodledo and (3) El Jasor have talent but are inconsistent.

(11) Akkadian Emperor
(2) Kirkeby
(4) Bengal Boy
(1) Tapildoodledo

Race 5

(7) Kaluakoi won over this track/trip at his first run for the new stable – led, kicked when needed and was never in doubt. Big fan of (10) Indy Rose Warrior – 7YO mare back from 265 days but can win. From the gate she can land midfield and is always strong late. (15) Lady Lucifer was dominant last start leading and kicking clear; Lang rides and a similar effort goes close again. (11) Voracious was just plain last start but Gollan felt it would need the run and could improve sharply without surprising.

(10) Indy Rose Warrior
(7) Kaluakoi
(15) Lady Lucifer
(11) Voracious

Race 6

Quality race. (2) Weigall Tiger is in career-best form – sat on speed and ran away from them last start. Draws well and gets a 3kg claim. (3) Warby is a ripper – last split has been top three in each of his past ten starts; with luck he can win. (4) Gumdrops is a genuine Group class mare on her day; recent trial was good and the market will guide. Thought (9) Jonny Da Wolf looked outclassed but like the fact he will be right on speed and only have the 52.5kg to carry.

(2) Weigall Tiger
(3) Warby
(4) Gumdrops
(9) Jonny Da Wolf

Race 7

(3) Amur has been good for Gollan and is rock-hard fit. (4) Astero has been going around in good races down south and finds this easier than tackling Sepals; double figures looks over the odds. (5) Space Tracker is consistent rather than brilliant; maps well and gets every chance. Race drops right away after those main winning hopes.

Race 8

Don’t love the draw for (9) Gospel Girl, but she’s in career best form and crossed to lead last start. If she gets across, this track suits and she’ll be hard to catch. Gollan may try to control the race with her and (14) Surprise Honey rolling forward. Surprise Honey was a good winner last start, but this is harder. (6) Click Click Boom has been very consistent and bolted in here last start (albeit against weaker); went fast and was still best late – encouraging. (7) Razors looked average last time but had a poor recovery – forgive run and blinkers go on. (5) Aldofito was slightly held up last start and has ability; genuine winning chance with luck.

(9) Gospel Girl
(5) Aldofito
(6) Click Click Boom
(7) Razors

Race 9

Very even race. (4) Frilled looks the obvious after winning at Eagle Farm first-up with the best L400/L200 of the race; 5 from 14 and maps midfield from the draw. (12) Catwalk Criminal was an odds-on winner this track/trip first-up; from a good gate she’s the likely leader and, if it suits on pace, will be hard to run down – 2 from 3 on her home track. (1) He’s Heaven is underrated and trialled excellently; opened double figures which looks generous. If they overdo it up front he can round them up late with the 3kg claim. (9) Simbu also has claims in a race where small margins will decide it.

(1) He’s Heaven
(4) Frilled
(12) Catwalk Criminal
(9) Simbu