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By Nick Berney

Tips and race by race preview by Nick Berney for Thursday’s Gosford meeting. Selections based on a heavy track. Monitor for bias/pattern.

2. Myeyesadoreyou was not suited last start after getting well back in a slow tempo at Hawkesbury 21 days ago and ran on well. Further, she produced a strong 400m-200m split in 11.90. The three-year-old filly is suited back to 1600m and is rock-hard fit. Some query on an extremely testing track, but she brings the best last start figure and has strong provincial form-lines where most of her opposition has been racing on the country circuit.

Dangers: 4. Ella Te Ama was solid last start at Muswellbrook 17 days ago, and the pace negated the bias. She is proven on rain-affected ground and has a positive map. 1. Bobby’s Secret is a last start winner on a nine-day backup and will roll forward.

How to play it: Myeyesadoreyou WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Myeyesadoreyou runs second at Hawkesbury on May 5

NZ import 2. The Milkybar Kid has been gelded and has had two solid hit-outs at the trials. He has form lines surrounding Regal Lion, who was well fancied in a Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m), and he looks well placed here in this grade. Some queries on a very heavy track with his action, but his class will take him a long way.

Dangers: 4. Direct Affair has had every chance in this preparation’s runs but is ready to improve third-up. 8. Righteous Feeling will roll forward and may have the track pattern to suit. 5. Bergkamp is coming out of time races and has no weight after the claim for Ellen Hennessy.

How to play it: Exacta 2 / 4. Odds & Evens: EVENS.

The Milkybar Kid wins a trial at Randwick on May 16

2. One Way Street led at a fast pace and ran fast time breaking through for his maiden win at Wyong 28 days ago. Further, that race rated highly relative to the day after adjustments and the decisive margins throughout confirmed the quality. The four-year-old gelding has always promised ability and can go on with it now.

Dangers: 1. Xpresso led and raced keenly last start Newcastle 12 days ago and battled on well. He can bounce back if he can get his manners in check. Respecting 4. Oakfield Mahogany’s starting price profile, but his best is on drier ground. Add 7. Luminoso to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: One Way Street WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

One Way Street wins at Wyong on April 28

1. Barradas had to be restrained from a wide draw on debut after jumping well and just got too far back at Scone 13 days ago. Further, he responded well when put under pressure and sprinted one of the fastest final 200m splits of the entire meeting in 11.74. That race rated the highest overall relative to the meeting when historically comparing time, class and additional factors. The three-year-old gelding is still immature/learning, but he receives a significant barrier change which will allow him to settle closer and in-form jockey Sam Clipperton goes on for the first time.

Dangers: 6. Twisted Nikkas who resumes, has trialled well enough and raced well last campaign. The three-year-old filly had the pace/bias against her first-up last preparation and ran well at this track. Further, she improved with each run, and a repeat of those efforts can put her in the finish. Market watch 8. Quick Angel who draws well and has a positive map. Add 10. Kamitori to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Barradas WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Barradas runs fourth at Scone on May 13

2. Smooth Flight had every chance on debut at Hawkesbury 21 days ago but tried very hard to run second, and he beat the rest easily. Further, he ran the fastest final 200m split of the entire meeting in 11.52 and that race rated strongly relative to the day. The three-year-old gelding is still learning but looks like a progressive type, and maps to have all favours. In addition, he brings the best last start figure and gives the impression he will undoubtedly improve on his first-up effort.

Dangers: Forgive 7. Ultra who was restrained early and just got too far back in a big field last start at scone 13 days ago. The three-year-old filly is coming out of time/sectional merit races all preparation and finds a very winnable maiden here. She is rock-hard fit, consistent and the tight turning track suits. 4. Rovers Pepper is a first starter that brings X-factor after trialling well and wasn’t extended. Market watch 5. Wonderwomen who raced in multiple metropolitan maiden races last prep.

How to play it: Smooth Flight WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Smooth Flight runs Second at Hawkesbury on May 5

6. Valentina Express had all favours on debut leading at a very-slow tempo at Kensington 31 days ago but never shirked the task to hold on for second placing. Further, she sprinted one of the fastest final 600m splits of the entire meeting in 35.81, and her sectional profile suggests she would improve off that run. The three-year-old filly maps to get all favours and brings a metropolitan form line.

Dangers: Forgive 1. Taurasi who was slow to recover last start at Canterbury 22 days ago. She has figures to win this, but some query on a very testing track. Add 13. Smart Thinker and 7. Doola Teela to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Valentina Express WIN ($1.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Valentina Express runs second at Kensington on April 25

3. Thailand was brave in defeat last start at Newcastle 26 days ago over 2300m. The four-year-old gelding sat outside the leader at a fast pace and tried hard all the way to the line to just be gobbled up by a run to suit winner over the concluding stage. Further, there was a big gap to third, and all the other on-pace runners were well beaten. His prior run at this track had hidden merit where he ran on well after being not suited by the tempo. He is proven at the trip, revels in the testing conditions and expect an aggressive ride from the wide draw.

Dangers: 4. Caboteur has had unconventional prep but has ratings to win. 16. Pioneer Lass and 8. Love Rules are proven on rain-affected ground and must go in all exotics.

How to play it: Thailand E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Thailand runs second at Newcastle on April 30

Tricky/open race to finish. 10. Adios Steve resumes without an official public trial but has proven he can sprint fresh in the past. The four-year-old first-up last preparation wasn’t suited to a moderate pace and hit the line hard. Further, he posted one of the fastest final 600m splits of the entire meeting in 33.85. The Allan Denham trained galloper was then well fancied in his next two starts but had no luck and was spelled. The gelding has multiple winning figures for this, and although he will get back from the wide draw, he will be savaging the line with an anticipated fast tempo.

Dangers: 5. Tuscan Valley has been impressive, winning by dominant margins on the country circuit and now gets her chance at the provincial level. 7. Wolf Queen has a strong record and has trialled up well. Further, she has had two starts for two wins at this track and can progress again. Add 8. All Girls to all exotics.

How to play it: Adios Steve E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Adios Steve first-up last preparation running third at Wyong on November 6

Best Bet: Race 5 # 2 - Smooth Flight

Next Best: Race 4 # 1 - Barradas

Best Value: Race 7 # 3 - Thailand

Quaddie

Leg 1: 2,7
Leg 2: 6
Leg 3: 3,4,16,8
Leg 4: 10,5,7,8

Combinations = 32

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