Courtesy of The Dogs

Gosford's Cup Series A Cracker
Written by: Peter Davis 28/12/09


Top class fields, excellent prizemoney and high expectation best summarises Tuesday night’s card at Gosford.

The 10-race program is highlighted by four competitive heats of the Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Gold Cup and, come the January 5 Final it will be no place for the meek.

The four Gold Cup heats are complemented by heats of the Grange Hotel (400m) and The Entrance Leagues Club (600m) series, with promising youngsters ready to tackle race-hardened performers all night.

In race five – the first of the Gold Cup heats – in-form sprinter Paua To Detonate makes his Gosford debut and puts an unbeaten run of five on the line.

His reliable box manners stand him in good stead but he is new to Gosford and takes on the likes of Snozz (15 wins), Devine Ruler (14 wins), last start Wentworth Park winner La Voca (10 wins) and smart Victorian Galba Jack.

Snozz’s class is palpable and, despite drawing poorly in box six, will take no end of beating.

Brisbane Cup winner Mr Metz has snared the rails alley in heat two (race six) but will need to be at his very best to handle the Take The Kitty challenge.

Mr Metz is new to Gosford and Take The Kitty has started at the track only twice but his most recent essay, in mid-March, resulted in a blazing 29.75s win – just .21 outside Pororoca’s long standing track record.

Both dogs arrive at Gosford boasting last-start wins at Group level, with Mr Metz defying a top class line-up at Albion Park on December 10 to secure his ninth win at start 12.

Laurie Healion Maiden winner Lochinvar Marlow steps out of restricted company in heat three (race seven) and has the credentials to reign supreme.

An imposing talent, Lochinvar Marlow made his Gosford debut on December 22 and dominated his rivals to score by an expansive 6 3/4 lengths in a slick 29.91s – the best time of the night.

With a moderate beginner on his outside (Prince Eragon), Lochinvar Marlow should be in the lead soon after the start and that might well be game-set-match.

If there is to be an upset, Boss Number One (box six) looks the most likely. He has won his past two at Wentworth Park in smart fashion but has had the advantage of the rails alley each time.

The final Cup heat promises to be the most competitive with Reg Kay’s Elite Blue Size (box one), Root Canal (four), Rockstar Image (five), Mandingo (six), Mint Octane (seven) and Watch Out Pete (eight) having genuine prospects.

Elite Blue Size has the draw to make his own luck and lead throughout but there will be no room for a slip-up.

In the ‘undercard’ races, Tiggerlong Patch (race three) and Bo Johnson (nine) are well suited at 600m while Brisk Miss (race 10) appeals over 400m.

The Gold Cup final offers $30,000 to the winner on January 5 – a night when four finals will be staged.

Given a clear night, the Gosford track should be packed to the rafters. The quality talent on display will deserve a full house.