THE COAST QUALITY (L)

RACE 8 - 1600m 3&4YO

ROTOGILLA / LORD PENMAN / LORD DINADAN

The progressive Waller-trained gelding ROTOGILLA adapted to a change of tactics to post a powerful win in the Anzac Day Cup at Randwick after Tyler Schiller decided to ride the ALL TOO HARD gelding quietly after jumping away awkwardly, before he unleashed a late finish down the outside to win the 1800m contest. The gelding delivered some tidy results at the end of 2015, winning over 1500m at Randwick 1800m at Rosehill creating his own luck in the process. Good test coming back in trip but Waller will have him ready. Well-suited to this race and hard to beat.

☆☆☆☆☆

LORD PENMAN is a nice talent who was firing hard in NZ as PENMAN before racing against the best three-year-olds in the $3.5M NZB KIWI at Ellerslie. The CONTRIBUTER gelding under the guidance of Chris Waller, ran 7th in the Gr.1 Epsom, followed by a bold 2nd in the Gr.3 Sliver Eagle (1300m). Couldn't go with the winner when 3rd in the Gr.3 Doncaster Prelude, but sure to strip in firmer condition and a big hope. Flying at home and not quite finishing it off in his races so the Waller team may step up to 2000m after this if unable to make much of an impact.

☆☆☆

The Central Coast's biggest race day returns to Gosford and LORD DINADAN can run a cheeky race as he was good last start and we predicted an improved showing. The imported SIR CAMELOT gelding finished 2nd in the Cock Hat Stakes at Goodwood and chased home the stablemate ROTOGILLA at Randwick over 1800m and it was only the last bit that tested. Sure to strip much fitter and coming back 200m shouldn't be much of an issue.

☆☆

GOSFORD GOLD CUP (L)

RACE 9 - 2100m

MAISON LOUIS / STAR OF INDIA / YOU WAHNG

Last years Queensland Derby winner MAISON LOUIS was jagged back from a wide gate at Randwick last start and the SUPER SETH gelding was held up from the 400-200m off an unsuitable tempo, so an easy forgive at the 1500m. Better off here for trainer Tom Charlton after only one good run in the spring, finishing 3rd in the Gr.2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill before mud in the throat in the Rosehill Cup, then a little one paced in the Beaufort at Newcastle. If able to find some late space then right in this.

☆☆☆☆

STAR OF INDIA was jammed at the back in the Wagga Cup and by the time he grinded into it out wide on tight turning course the race was over. Disappointed really but back on a better course we hope to see him run better as most at the back were failing to make up much ground. Desperately unlucky in the Gr.3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick when mounting a run, then held up and badly checked finishing on. Willing to allow another chance on a firm deck.

☆☆☆

Suspecting trainer Kris Lee used the last few runs as a warm up act for YOU WAHNG aimed towards this race and stretching out in trip should suit much better for the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) winner. The mare, by the powerful staying sire SO YOU THINK, demonstrated a late surge in her previous outing and, with two races now under her belt, is anticipated to be in peak condition as she competes over a longer distance. Did run 3rd to TREASURETHE MOMENT in the Gr.1 ATC Oaks at Randwick last April and is a fairly underrated type. Be very wary here.

☆☆

TAKEOVER TARGET STAKES (L)

RACE 7 - 1200m

SWEYNESDAY / HARRY'S YACHT / OAK HILL

SWEYNESDAY was highly impressive defeating a strong sprint field at Ellerslie fresh up and showed just how well she has developed as a sharp sprinter when finishing a bold 3rd to the Aussie raiders JIGSAW and ARKANSAW KID in the Gr.1 Railway. Resumed in October with another victory in Auckland at the 1100m before a well-timed run to win decisively at Te Rapa, then closed hard for 2nd behind POETIC CHAMPION at Ellerslie. The SWEYNESSE gelding won the Kings Plate and arrives here as one of the best sprinters in NZ. Can win.

☆☆☆☆

HARRY'S YACHT has been carving up.thr turf and we always knew he was a powerful sprinter, winning twice at Caulfield over 1400m and doing it well. The HARRY ANGEL gelding has won 8 from 22 and stepped up at every mark until now, but it certainly doesn't get any easier. Not up in weight and just the type to track the speed hard before offering up his normal big finish with room to move and the short break will see him arrive with fresh legs.

☆☆☆

OAK HILL is a quality sprinter from the Hayes Euroa stable who can power up hard in the straight and if you can forgive the last two, then these odds seem pretty appealing. The PER INCANTO gelding finished 2nd in the WJ Adam's (1000m) at Caulfield in January before catching the leaders in the final strides in the Rubiton Stakes (1100m) there. Plain in the Discovery, although trialed up nicely twice in preperation and could surprise attack big odds.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1000m

COMPENSATION / CREPE MYRTLE / ISLAND DEC

We quite fancy the firm fave here in COMPENSATION from the Baker barn and the WRITTEN TYCOON gelding does look well placed to make it three on the trot and this horse has almost made back his purchase price in three starts. Fought on well to come away with thd win over 1100m at Rosehill followed by a strong front-running display to claim a nice victory over 1000m at Randwick. Ace gate here will help, so expect more of the same.

☆☆☆☆

The Thunder Thousand represents a pretty significant opportunity, offering a $109,000 prize to the victor of a BM78 event. CREPE MYRTLE should be better for the first up run, which came at Warwick Farm over 1100m when near the speed and tried hard but just couldn’t quite get there when third to a good one in GOLDEN STRAAND. Fitter, strikes a winnable race, and does look hard to beat if able to do everything right.

☆☆☆

ISLAND DEC, representing Team Price, presents a significant competitive threat. This capable mare is returning to racing following two trial performances, most recently at Warwick Farm where she demonstrated effortless speed. We are eager to observe her performance in this competitive field but the KERMEDEC mare is unbeaten in both runs over the 1000m and its hard ro get away from these fantastic odds.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 2100m

CAP SAINT MARTIN / PINHOLE / KING OF THE SEA

CAP SAINT MARTIN is progresses to 2100m following a decisive victory over 1900m at Canterbury during a midweek fixture, where the horse demonstrated a commanding performance. Given his prior success over distances up to 2112m internationally, the increased distance is considered suitable, and this race presents a nice opportunity for another win. The PERSIAN KING gelding can make a mark despite a wide gate.

☆☆☆☆

Waller reckons PINHOLE is ready to run a race and at 100/1 we're willing to trust his judgment that this horse can go much better than recent runs. A FRANKEL gelding imported from the UK, PINHOLE has taken a while to adjust to life down under after last winning over 2414m at Ascot in June of 2025. Forget that last Randwick run, has possibly improved out of sight recently and why wouldn't we entertain the thought at these massive odds.

☆☆☆

Ciaron Maher also has his hands on a progressive import in KING OF THE SEA, who was dominant winning at Haydock twice and Salisbury all around the 2000m distance before joining the Moss Vale stable and trialing up well before a 4th tackled late over the mile at Caulfield. Contested another jumpout at the beginning of the month with Maher ensuring he has the right fitness levels to be competitive and a big staying effort here is highly likely.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1600m

MR MILLER / NOBLER / COULTER

MR MILLER appears to be a promising horse for Chris Waller. He demonstrated considerable courage in his recent race at Randwick, where he was unlucky running wide without cover yet still persevered, finishing quite gamely behind ENAMORADA. Assuming that effort has not negatively impacted him, he presents a very appealing prospect and we know the stable are expecting a winning effort.

☆☆☆☆☆

NOBLER has hit winning form and is poised to continue this success. The recent victory over 1600m at Randwick was particularly impressive, as the ANARON gelding overcame a significant challenge coming across heels at the 300m to arrive in the final stages. Consistently strong performances this season establishes him as a leading contender, especially leaving from a tidy gate with Tyler Schiller aboard.

☆☆☆

We were suitably impressed by the victory of the Bjorn Baker trained COULTER over 1400m at Kembla and the colt doubled up prevailing at Wyong over 1625m. Wide gate killed any chance when back early in the Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Randwick, but much better finishing 2nd to COSMIC AVENGER back to the mile at Wagga. Not drawn great here although has some ability and worth keeping an eye on.

☆☆

BEST BET: ROTOGILLA

NEXT BEST: COMPENSATION

BEST VALUE: SWEYNESDAY

WILDCARD: PINHOLE