$1 million goes on the line when a talented field of milers contests The Gong at Kembla Grange on Saturday; one of ten races on the program.
The rail will be left in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (7) range.
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Race 1 – 12:20pm – Go Hire BM78 Handicap (2000m)
Suppression is chasing a hat-trick of wins when he steps out in the first on The Gong Day, and he looks well placed to pull it off.
The Mongolian Khan gelding was rewarded for improving condition with a bullish win at Mornington two starts back, and he franked that effort by winning in Saturday metro company last time.
I do have a slight query over the drop in trip, but I think that his class and fitness edge will take him a long way towards winning regardless.
Race 2 – 12:55pm – Highway Handicap (1600m)
So Say You was as tough as nails when winning at Rosehill a fortnight ago, and she looks well placed to make it two in a tow.
The So You Think mare has had her runs space this time, but she hasn’t returned a poor effort at any point, and her most recent effort was probably the best of her career so far.
She’s rock-hard fit and needs only even luck to be in the finish again.
Race 3 – 1:30pm – Canadian Club BM78 Handicap (1000m)
The talented Satin Ribbons steps out in Race 3 on The Gong Day and looms as the runner to beat again.
The Capitalist filly has made just four appearances at the races so far, but has won three times and finished a close-up second on the other occasion.
She is undefeated since resuming this time and will only improve into Saturday’s contest.
Race 4 – 2:05pm – Elite Sand & Soul BM78 Handicap (1200m)
This shapes as a reasonably open contest and there is a case to be made for a few, including Canasta.
Canasta has been a strong and consistent performer for the Bjorn Baker stable since arriving in Australia, and he found form around some above-average gallopers last time.
He is yet to win fresh, but he has also finished worse than second only once at this point of his preparation previously, and we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 5 – 2:40pm – Evergreen Turf Australia F&M BM78 Handicap (1200m)
Selburose is primed to strike on The Gong Day.
The I Am Invincible mare simply doesn’t know how to run a bad race, ending her last prep with a lovely win in a similar race to this one at Randwick, and only just missing a fit Katalin when resuming.
She strips fitter and the booking of James McDonald obviously doesn’t hinder her chances of winning.
Race 6 – 3:20pm – PFD Food Services Midway BM72 Handicap (1400m)
These Midway Handicaps prove to be a wide-open affair with plenty of chances each week, and I think that Travest can win this week’s edition.
Travest has been a great horse for the Greg Hickman yard since debuting, and I thought that there was a lot to like about the way he hit the line behind Saquon when resuming at Rosehill a fortnight ago, finishing less than a length behind the winner.
With even luck, he’s certainly good enough to fight out the finish.
Race 7 – 4:00pm – Traffic Logistics The Warra (1000m)
Saturday’s featured sprint looks the perfect race for Malkovich.
Malkovich has been a revelation throughout his last couple of preparations, and he recorded consecutive wins in a couple of 1000m metro sprints before running a head second in the Group 3 John Monash at the conclusion of his winter prep.
Since resuming this time, he has finished second in each of the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint and the Listed Century Stakes, and he is primed to strike third-up.
Race 8 – 4:40pm – The Gong (1600m)
An outstanding field of milers will assemble for The Gong and I am going to have something on a couple, including Count De Rupee.
Count De Rupee has been nothing short of outstanding for the locally-based Price stable this year, and he has gone to another level in spring.
He recorded a dominant win here at Kembla Grange in September, filled the minors in the Silver Eagle and went within a nose of knocking off Group 1 winner I’m Thunderstruck in the Golden Eagle last time.
He returns to open company here, but he is clearly more than capable of winning.
I’m also going to have a saver on Nudge.
Nudge has proven to be rocks or diamonds this prep, but she was unlucky not to win at Group 1 level in winter, and she is certainly a capable type.
She takes her place in The Gong field in peak condition, she is drawn to receive a nice run and we can have a small each-way play at around the $21 mark.
Race 9 – 5:20pm – Abax Contraction BM88 Handicap (1600m)
Steely rates as a key winning chance in the penultimate contest on The Gong Day, at a lovely price ($11 at publish).
All Too Hard gelding has been a model of consistency throughout his campaign and has made races like this one his bread and butter.
He returned at Goulburn on October 31st with an eye-catching effort to only just miss in the local Cup, and he’ll take plenty of improvement for that effort.
Race 10 – 6:00pm – Polytrack BM78 Handicap (1400m)
Kingsheir has been freshened and transferred to the care of Chris Waller, and I am confident that he will strike in the last on The Gong Day.
The Kingman gelding has always hinted at ability, but he has been inconsistent at best since debuting for Team Hawkes.
He is yet to taste anything but success at this point of his preparation and it looks a lovely launchpad for him.