THE Courier-Mail racing editor Nathan Exelby looks for the winners at the Gold Coast and in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill on Saturday.
TOP TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS
RATINGS: WINX FINALLY ON TOP OF THE WORLD
GOLD COAST
Track: Soft (6); Weather: Mostly sunny, 29C
RACE 5: GOLD COAST STAKES (1800m)
Qlty, 2.42pm (Qld times)
In the run: Tempo will be determined by how hard they go on Lucky Tom. The only other speed runners look to be Future Event. Honey Toast can be handy.
Take note: Capetown Hussey won third-up last prep (she’s two from four third-up in her career) before two starts later winning over this 1800m course. She looks primed to peak this time and no worries with the sting out of the track.
Did you know: Honey Toast has had just the two runs back from a near two-year break. Showed he was getting closer last time and now gets to his right distance range. Won’t be far away here.
Early money: Steve O’Dea has Capetown Hussey and Doubt Defying, with the latter being the popular early pick with punters ($ 3.70-$ 3.30 with Ladbrokes).
NATHAN’S TIP: CAPETOWN HUSSEY $ 3.80
NATHAN’S DANGER: Honey Toast $ 6
RACE 7: QTIS 3YO JEWEL (1200m)
3YO SW, 4.02pm
In the run: Wonder Boom and Sista Act get to good spots up front and those two aside, not huge speed, so hoping Basara can get across without spending too much early. Bimini Road probably just behind those.
Take note: Stablemates Johnny Whitesox and Skate To Paris finished brilliantly to run 1-2 in similar class a fortnight ago. Skate To Paris fares much better at the draw and can be closer in the run than she was last time.
Did you know: Basara ran third in the Johnny/Skate race after doing a power of work early from the tricky 1110m start. Drawn even wider Saturday, but at 1200m, won’t need the same urgency.
Early money: Punters are pinning their hopes on Chris Munce’s pair Johnny Whitesox ($ 3.50) and Skate To Paris (in from $ 6.50).
NATHAN’S TIP: BASARA $ 8
NATHAN’S DANGER: Skate To Paris $ 5
RACE 8: GOLDMARKET (1200m)
Qlty LR, 4.37pm
In the run: Should be a very genuine tempo. Snitzkraft can lead, but the likes of Hanwritten, Boomwaa, Upstart Pride and Il Mio Destino will ensure there’s no loafing.
Take note: Track conditions all important for Snitzkraft. He was legless on the wet at last year’s winter carnival. Has easily the strongest formlines in this field and if it dries out enough, he’s hard to beat.
Did you know: Malvern Estate goes from the outside gate last start to the inside here. Gives him the chance to be ridden a little more quietly, in the way he was so dynamic a few starts back. Gets nice weight swing on Upstart Pride and is effective in all conditions.
Early money: Snitzkraft is in from $ 3.30, but there’s been money for quite a few of them and it shapes as a terrific betting race.
NATHAN’S TIP: MALVERN ESTATE $ 7
NATHAN’S DANGER: Snitzkraft $ 3.10
ROSEHILL
Track: Soft (5); Weather: Increasing sunshine, 34C
RACE 7: COOLMORE CLASSIC (1500m)
F & M Qty G1, 3.10pm
In the run: Francaletta lands in front, Silent Sedition should get there relatively easily and then Flippant tries to get in from wider out. Aide Memoire and Prompt Response just behind them.
Take note: Raiment exploded to win by a big space third-up in the last preparation. She bypassed the spring and may have taken a little longer to come up this time around. The latest run was good, she meets Dixie Blossoms 4.5kg better and she gets gun run for in form Michael Walker.
Did you know: Egg Tart is attempting to repeat the feat of Eskimo Queen (2007-08), who won this race a year after the Queensland Oaks. Egg Tart had a forgettable spring campaign, but looked back to her best with a flashing finish behind Crack Me Up first up.
Early money: Giving a rough chance to Oregon’s Day ($ 31-$ 16) down in the weights. Wasn’t far away at G1 level last year and first up run was sound.
NATHAN’S TIP: RAIMENT $ 7
NATHAN’S DANGER: Egg Tart $ 5.50
