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By Ray Hickson

An in-depth look at the chances of every runner in the Listed $300,000 Guardian Safety Solutions Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) on Saturday.

1. Asterix (Chris Waller): Sprung to life at the end of his spring campaign and carried that into his first-up win in the JRA Cup at Randwick three weeks ago. Granted, he did get plenty of favours there with an inside run and ducking through a gap late. Has to be fitter but doesn’t he face a task. He has an outside barrier and 61kg, no horse has carried more than 59.5kg this century to win a Gosford Cup so he has it all it do.

2. Bois D’Argent (Annabel & Rob Archibald): Evergreen stayer who kicked off this prep with a handy second in the Parramatta Cup, he had to do some chasing second-up but he was gone a fair way out in the Neville Sellwood last time. He did run third in this race three years ago and his best form is good enough but his best is also with the sting out of the ground and that 59.5kg doesn’t help. Wouldn’t shock if he gave cheek but take him on trust.

Bois D'Argent (Pic: Bradley Photos)

3. Doctor Askar (Chris Waller): Former Kiwi who won a Thorndon Mile back in January before taking on weight-for-age at 2000m off a two month gap. First run for the new stable was at Caulfield in the Easter Cup and he didn’t pose a threat after getting back in the field. Negative set up from a wide barrier so he’ll likely concede a start again. Prefer to see him find form over here.

4. Land Legend (SCRATCHED).

5. Maison Louis (Tom Charlton): Queensland Derby winner from last year and there was nothing wrong with his first-up performance over 1500m at Randwick two weeks ago. That was always going to be too short for him but he found the line well to be in the blanket finish behind the placings. Distance obviously a plus, barrier might force him back. Would be looking for him to be hitting the line strongly and if he does get the right run no surprise if he was right there at the finish.

6. Sayedaty Sadaty (Ciaron Maher): Pass mark for his return run at Caulfield over an unsuitable mile, he picked up some late ground there. He’s had a jump out over 1200m since then and made the trip north. He did race quite consistently last time in, with a couple of blips, and he will fare better up beyond the 2000m trip. Suspect he might need this run too.

7. Etna Rosso (SCRATCHED).

8. Unspoken (Peter Snowden): We’re over 900 days since his last win, which was the Five Diamonds of 2023, so he is hard to make a strong case for on the winning front. That said only a few starts back he ran a nice third in the Summer Cup and fourth in the ATC Cup. The 1400m was too short for him off a two month break but he does need to recapture his form.

9. Plymouth (SCRATCHED).

10. Star Of India (Chris Waller): His form doesn’t read the best in five runs back but nobody missed how unlucky he was not to be right in the finish two starts ago in the JRA Plate. Slammed into a brick wall when he needed a run and went to the line untested. As a result he was well in the market in the Wagga Cup and didn’t hit the line with the same sort of purpose. Draws out but tends to get back anyway. Not prepared to rule him out on his run two back.

11. You Wahng (Kris Lees): Queensland Oaks winner getting close to the anniversary of that win. Form once she’s reached a middle distance is solid, she was runner-up on Magic Millions Day at 2200m and last time out hit the front when outgunned late by Asterix at Randwick. Has all the favours from an inside gate, peaking or close to it third-up and a definite chance.

12. Portland (Matthew Smith): Import whose four local runs have captured a bit of attention and this is arguably his best chance to run up to the promise he’s showing. He did a great job running into third in the Neville Sellwood but was back and wide on a day when that wasn’t ideal in the JRA Cup at Randwick and to be beaten 2.3 lengths was an excellent effort. If he can make some use of his barrier this time and get into the clear when needed he should go very close.

13. Touristic (Peter Snowden): At his best on soft ground and may not get that here. Won the Canberra Cup three runs back in good style and wasn’t disgraced in the Albury Cup but when he struck good ground in the JRA Plate he was safely held though did pass a couple late. One win from 26 on a good track is cause enough for concern given the likely conditions. If it happened to rain his chances would soar.

14. Les Vampires (SCRATCHED).

15. Sunset Park (Brad Widdup): Potential smokey in the race, she’s fitter for two runs back from a break and led to the 200m before fading in that JRA Plate though only beaten 2.1 lengths. Closer to peak now, she does love a wet track but is competent on top of the ground. May be a run short of being ready to win but puts herself on speed and expect an improved showing.

You Wahng (Pic: Trackside).

16. Zaphod (Kris Lees): Thought he was a bit disappointing second-up after having a perfect run in transit to the turn second-up over 1800m at Randwick. Granted he had 59.5kg and drops sharply in weight into this. He’s proven to be honest enough when he strikes form and the scenario is a lot better for him to do that now third-up. Each-way chance.

17. Black Run (SCRATCHED).

18. Kind Words (SCRATCHED).

19. Our Gold Hope (Robert & Luke Price): We’re over 815 days now since her last win but she has bobbed up at times in the placings and, like last start, ran out of luck at times too. Didn’t get a clear shot last time behind Rotagilla over 1800m where she was only beaten 1.4 lengths. Has the ability and one day things will fall into place with her, it could be here but another with place claims.

20E. Redstone Well (Annabel & Rob Archibald): Last win was the Port Macquarie Cup of 2024 and his recent form has been mixed at best. Sound effort three runs back at Randwick over 2000m but was beaten a fair way out there last time so would need to improve up in class and distance.

SPEED MAP: Wouldn’t say there’s high speed engaged and Sunset Park looks the likely pacesetter. Bois D’Argent punches up from the inside, Zaphod can race handy. Expecting the likes of Maison Louis and Asterix to go back in the field. You Wahng and Portland should find spots midfield or thereabouts.

SELECTIONS:
12 PORTLAND
11 You Wahng
16 Zaphod
15 Sunset Park

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Gosford meeting