Gosford Gold Cup - 2100m, Gosford R9

Chris Waller has attacked the Gosford features in numbers, and he has another three live chances in the Gosford Gold Cup over 2100m.

Desert Icon surprised many when running second in the Hawkesbury Cup first-up, and the rising eight-year-old usually improves second-up too. The distance rise suits him more than most, so he must be a winning threat if taken on face value.

Stablemate Lord Ardmore was very tight in the market in that Hawkesbury Cup, but settled too far back from a good draw and ran on okay without ever threatening. He can bounce back.

Quality Time went on a winning streak last spring, but hasn’t been able to recapture that form this time around. It’s hard to know which Waller runner has been given the tap on the shoulder, but all three are capable of taking this race out.

Diamil is a classy customer racing in great heart, but has the 60.5kg’s accordingly. He has genuine Group form which many of his rivals don’t, but barrier 1 is easy not to love for him.

Bois D’Argent could be the interesting runner. Annabel Neasham has had her share of erratic imports, and this horse was on the heels of Group 1 performed Hezashocka in his first run in the country last October. He was quickly spelled, but was very basic when resuming at Moonee Valley in March. He has trialled well since, and might be primed here.

Navajo Peak is a smart type that never runs badly, and has come into his own in recent times on wetter tracks. He’ll have his share of admirers, but this is his toughest test yet and he’s still got a bit to prove.

Selections: 1.Lord Ardmore 2.Bois D’Argent 3.Desert Icon 4.Diamil

Cameron rose's Tip

LORD ARDMORE

EACH-WAY

Buterin L'estrange Gosford Cup 06 May 16:05

6. Lord Ardmore

Win

Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

Takeover Target Stakes - 1200m, Gosford R7

A very tidy field has been assembled here, for this 1200m assignment in honour of Takeover Target, one of the great sprinting stories of this century.

Think About It carries both the number one saddlecloth and favouritism, thanks to his unbeaten 2023 where he has compiled four wins. Few trainers can get a horse to go on a winning streak like Joe Pride, and this So You Think gelding just keeps stepping up a level each time he’s asked to. He’s a horse that has won from both the front and back, so Sam Clipperton has options from barrier 13.

Shades of Rose has taken on an Everest, Galaxy, TJ Smith and Quokka at her last four starts, and finally gets a chance to come back a few pegs. She’s run well enough given circumstances in all of those events, and if she still has her confidence and hasn’t forgotten how to win, then it’s probably her race to lose.

We can forgive Bacchanalia’s heavy track flop last start, and go on his two wins prior. The St Kingdom win puts him in the race. He got the best of Clemenceau there, who is also here. That horse has started favourite in all but one of his career starts, so expectation is always high. He’s never run badly, it has to be said.

Fashion Legend is in the game if the Freedman’s elect to run their three-year-old here instead of the Sunshine Coast, but he does have the weight scale against him.

Fox Fighter needs 1200m and a dry track now, and his first-up run behind Malkovich at Hawkesbury suggests another win is coming soon. Whether that is this race will be decided come Saturday, but he’s a good value play.

Selections: 1.Shades of Rose 2.Think About It 3.Clemenceau 4.Fox Fighter

Cameron rose's Tip

SHADES OF ROSE

EACH-WAY

De Bortoli Takeover Target 06 May 14:45

2. Shades Of Rose

Win

Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds