22-05-2025
Gold Coast race-by-race preview and tips for Friday
Queensland form student Graeme Carey has run the rule over Friday's night's strong Gold Coast card and here are his race-by-race tips and best gambles.
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BEST BET:
ENTERPRISE LUCIA (Race 7 No 7)
NEXT BEST:
SISSTAINABLE (Race 3 No 10)
VALUE BET:
PENSIERO (Race 8 No 11)
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Quaddie numbers are:
Race 5 - 4.8,10
Race 6 - 7.9,11
Race 7 - 2.7,8
Race 8 - 2,3,10,11
$108 = 100 per cent of the dividend
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Race 1 – 2YO Maiden Handicap (1400m)
This journey should suit the Dundeel colt LEVERAGED BUYOUT (7). At his only start he finished three lengths off Beadman and will appreciate the step up to 1400m. From the wide gate he will go back, and Kyle Wilson-Taylor can round them up.
Experience is with NOTTINGTON PRINCE (1) which fought on well in the Group 3 Ken Russell last start and wasn't disgraced in the Aquis Jewel. That form is good enough for a maiden over this trip.
CERTIFY (5) is a Justify colt with the benefit of four trials, two of them here. From the ace draw he will get every chance with Michael Rodd.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOUR (2) ran in stronger races than this at his first preparation and made ground from the back when resuming at Eagle Farm. This extra distance suits and with a positive ride from Cejay Graham will be in the finish.
Verdict - LEVERAGED BUYOUT (7) should relish the step up to 1400m.
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Race 2 - Benchmark 78 Handicap (2213m)
AKROTIRI (3) had support and was too strong for a midweek field when resuming at Eagle Farm. This is harder but the 2kg claim for Tahlia Fenlon and the extra distance helps. A late maturer, he may be about to hit his straps.
FULL OF SINCERITY (2) has shown some dash at his two outings since joining Matt Dunn. He is yet to win beyond 1600m but placed in a New Zealand Derby earlier in his career and this trip should hold no fears. From a good gate with Cobi Vitler's 3kg claim he will near the speed for a long way.
BESTOWER (9) did all but win here two weeks ago on Hollindale day in similar class. She doesn't win often and needs the sting out of the ground, but Andrew Mallyon stays on and will give her the gun run.
ARTFUL GIRL (8) found the Hollindale beyond her but is fitter for two outings and always competitive in the grade.
Verdict - AKROTIRI (3) looks suitably placed.
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Race 3 - Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000m)
The McEvoys bought SISSTAINABLE (10) north for this race and she got the maiden comfortably out of the way at Eagle Farm. Harry Coffey has come up to ride here and will be hard to hold out.
PRINCE TYCOON (2) has the visitor's draw but looks a talented type and franked his trials winning in Saturday grade on debut at Caulfield. He has speed and with Blake Shinn can overcome the gate.
DRAGONNE ROUGE (6) doesn't have the pedigree of some of these but won a Listed race last start and is yet to be beaten in three outings. All wins have been on soft ground; she drops back to 1000m but cannot be discounted.
ISTI STAR (12) destroyed them at Ipswich and whilst this is harder has the advantage of the inside draw. He will be prominent for a long way.
Verdict - SISSTAINABLE (10) looks hard to beat.
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Race 4 – 3YO Benchmark 65 Handicap (1800m)
LA COMETA (8) got too far back in a muddling run race at Ipswich last start but wasn't far away at the end. She drops back to her own age group and her only win was over this trip. With Michael Rodd, she can round them up.
THINK LIKE PADDY (5) got the maiden done when having his first start since coming north to Matt Dunn. This trip is what he wants and if he has upside, Blake Shinn will find it.
SAN JOSE BOY (3) hasn't put in a bad run since resuming and won over this trip here two starts back. This is harder but Damien Thornton will have him well-placed throughout.
SAVANNAH GANGSTER (1) got the job done on the poly last start and has shown a liking for distance. He makes his own luck and with Cody Collis 2kg claim will be prominent for a long way.
Verdict - Class will take LA COMETA (8) a long way here.
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Race 5 - 3&4YO Class 4 Plate (1400m)
ALECTRONA (8) brings solid Victorian form and has been readied by two trials. She is yet to miss a place first-up and Harry Coffey will have her near the speed throughout.
SCUD (4) did all but beat the talented Floozie here last start in a Listed race over this trip. He rises 5kg and is poorly drawn but has the form on the board and Robbie Dolan knows what to do.
Wins are hard to come by for FRENCH ENDEAVOUR (10) but she is the highest rated horse in the field and has been improved by two outings since joining Billy Healey. She gives a start, but Cejay Graham stays on and will be rounding them up late.
MARAGICAL (15) showed what she can do when on a good track beating all but Pierata's Gem last start. This trip suits and with only 53kg Emily Lang can send her forward to control the race.
Verdict - Having something on ALECTRONA (8).
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Race 6 - Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m)
Brett Cavanough has been having a good run since setting up his Gold Coast stable and HELLCIBELL (9) will find this easier than recent outings. A winner of four of 10, a good gate helps and with Cobi Vitler's 3kg claim she will be prominent throughout.
MISTER BIANCO (7) was heavily supported but couldn't hold off Captain Fenkel at Ipswich last start. He was racing in stronger company than this last preparation, is fitter for two outings, drops back to 1200m and will be hard to hold out.
NORTH OF ELI (11) has promised more than delivered but ran on well behind Jenchick Boom when resuming from a freshen-up at Ipswich. This bigger track suits and Andrew Mallyon will have him hitting the line.
FLYING BIRDS (6) saves his best for here, has been improved by two outings and gets the gun run with Sean Cormack.
Verdict - HELLCIBELL (9) to bounce back.
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Race 7 - Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m)
ENTERPRISE LUCIA (7) was only found out late here on a heavy track in a higher benchmark than this last start. She drops back to her optimum trip and from the ace draw with Cody Colis 2kg claim will be hard to pass.
ACTION KING (2) is fitter for two outings and won his only previous start over this trip. With Jag Guthmann-Chester he gets the gun run and will test the speedsters late.
ARISPHERE (8) loves this trip and will appreciate getting on to a good track. She won a recent trial, and Angela Jones will be winding her up late.
REMLAP'S ANGEL (11) goes fast and won her last start here over this trip. She will find this easier than the Military Rose and with only 54kg will be prominent for a long way.
Verdict - ENTERPRISE LUCIA (7) to burn them off.
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This trip suits PENSIERO (11) which has fewer convictions than most of these and wasn't far away at Ipswich last start. With a good gate and Tahlia Fenlon's 2kg claim there will be no excuses.
FIRST MAN (2) has had his share of chances and keeps finding one better. A good gate helps, and Michael Rodd will give him every chance.
GLOBAL (3) came from a wide gate and made good ground on debut to place at Ipswich. This trip suits and Brandon Lerena can have him in the money again.
MISS HIGHFALUTIN (10) has been around the mark at all four outings and will get every chance with Angela Jones.
