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By John Schell

Warwick Farm horseman Bryce Heys has high hopes of bookending the Gosford meeting on Tuesday when he saddles up two leading contenders in the first and last races.

Heys, who had the talented Flying For Fun finish as a Group 3 placegetter at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, is looking to open the day at Gosford with success when Ohtani ($8 on TAB) contests the Central Coast Granite Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1600m) with Ashley Morgan taking the ride.

“He’s a nice enough horse that despite only winning the once, has shown plenty of ability in his career,” Heys said of Ohtani.

Ohtani (Ashley Morgan) in winning form at Newcastle. Image by Bradley Photographers

“His maiden win was at Newcastle, and he was then beaten just over a length by Magnatear on the Kensington Track at Randwick and that horse is more than handy.

“He has had four runs back from a spell and his last three runs have all been sound.

"From the inside barrier he should get every chance to be in the finish.”

The Heys-trained Mailata ($4.40 equal favourite) will line up in the Rock At The Races 21 March 2026 Midway Benchmark 68 Handicap (1000m) with jockey Zac Lloyd in the saddle.

“Mailata is a talented Written Tycoon gelding that has done most of his racing in city grade races,” said Heys.

“He managed to win a Super Maiden on the Kensington Track in January and did finish second in a Randwick event before being spelled.

“He resumed from a spell with a good fourth at Warwick Farm behind Lyles and that horse has gone on to win a Saturday race at Eagle Farm at the weekend. The Gosford race looks a nice one for him and I expect him to run very well.”

Lloyd has three other solid rides at Gosford in addition to Mailata. He will partner Rose Water ($5.50) for Jason Deamer when it clashes with Ohtani.

He will also link with the Annabel & Rob Archibald-prepared filly Royal Chic ($4.20 eq fav) in the Eve Electrical Maiden Plate (1200m).

Lloyd’s remaining mount for the day is the Gregory McFarlane-trained debut winner Salma’s Star ($10) in the Gosford RSL Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1100m).

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Gosford here