The stars of the industry were keen for a night of $5 notes thrown in all different directions on the strip, but before they did that, they had to rock up to the Gold Coast track with bells on in what was a punters paradise or peril, we haven’t quite decided which one yet!
Race 1 - BM78 - 1800m
Winner: I Could Do Better
Race 1 was almost too good to be true, the ol Chris Waller 'jockey switcheroo' saw the new Prince of Bundall, Pikey jump on board. The Punters gravitated and the rest is history.
He could do no better, as Pikey rode the Market mover ($10>$4) to victory in the only winning lane GC has produced the last 5 years about 6m off the fence (we say we’ll know for next time but we won’t). The Mugs wouldn't look too much into this race for form guides going forward, the top 4 finished swooping down the outside lanes. Victims of circumstances. All we know is PIKE RULES
Race 2 - Bat Out of Hell - 900m
Winner: Usmanov
Well the NEED FOR SPEED lived up to the hype - But it was Iconic Star who took up the speed battle against Sugar Boom! Niedorp was uncharacteristically slow out of the gates - Sugar Boom we think just needs a dry track and perhaps just isn't suited to the Gold Coast track, Usmanov on the other hand is a total flat track bully! Loves the GC lifestyle and was over a long way out thanks to a cracker ride from Big Bustlin Baylee. The Chief De Beers in on Doomben Cup day over the 1110m at Doomben, looks a nice assignment for Niedorp if she can draw a gate.
Race 3 - Gold Coast Cup - 2400m
Winner: Alakahan
Well another staying trip another 2nd for Humbolt Current. The Freedman's are up and about, and Mark Zahra copped a couple of ripper sprays on the ol twittersphere, chin up champ.
Cant really say much about this bunch, they're that hovering BM80-90 grade, below Group Level and there weights seem to change every week regardless of their rating. Case and Point, the Mugs horse, Humbolt Current.
Race 4 - Hot Tomato Gold Coast Goldmarket
Winner: Baller
Yes you read that correctly, he's done it again. The ex-Freedman trained Baller moved stables and has moved back into the winners ring!
Racecourse Road just doesn't know how to run a bad race, Baller just had the perfect sit and surprisingly came home on the inside. It could be another Gollan chance in the Stradbroke this year. Westlink and Stampe are lowkey flying, keep a sharp on them dropping back in grade.
Race 5 - The Ken Russell Memorial - 1200m
Winner: Subterranean
Wowee.. Talk about camera angles, another victim to where you were in the run as the Dunn trained Subterranean lived up to the market expectations of his last start.
See we don't just steal everyone else's tweets.
A couple that we're impressive, Dovetail Diva and Rhapsody Rose. And Bobby Fradd, we love ya but what was that on Dubussy? He had the trail on the winner and cuts back to the inferior ground? Probably want's that one again. Did the JJ Atkins winner come through that race? Mugs say no. The form however is looking to stack up with Tiger Heart and Referro (forgive last start)
For any Ranch Hand backers who want to hurt again:
Race 6 - Gold Coast Bracelet - 1800m
Winner: Grace And Harmony
We got a good insight into what was coming to QLD for the Oaks and we certainly saw the best of it. Mr Waller showed he's hasn't come to town to fk spiders, with 4 of the first 5 across the line. The other Big Dog in town would be super thrilled with how Good Soize has returned and hit the line. The Eagle Farm factor to be the factor between the top 5?
Race 7 - Gold Coast Guineas - 1200m
Winner: Marboosha
Well the money was spot on as Marboosha went WOOSHKA.. The Snowden's rarely get it wrong when they bring one to town and the daughter of Dream Ahead (Sky Racing snuff right there) was super impressive. Unfortunately the Snowden's have stated that she'll spell before a Spring campaign which is a shame because she'd beat up on this lot again. Simply Fly looks to have come to then end of the prep, missed the jump (again) but certainly exciting going forward.
Race 8 - Hollidale Stakes - 1800m
Winner: Zaaki
Well there was a lot of valuable horse flesh on the line here, how much Mug Super Fan Nathan Exelby?
Thanks Natho,.. And how about our good old friend Avilius, has he done enough? Nothing left to prove? You just can't see him turning the tables on anything from that race let alone Sir Dragonet and Mugatoo who will contest the Doomben Cup alongside most of this field.
Zaaki was super impressive but think the win was flattered by an easy trek and the fast lane home. From watching the replay Melody Belle was crunched in the straight so wouldn't jump off her Belle fans and Humidor was the eye catcher, but honestly it's Humidor. Can we hurt again? Yeah sure why not.
Race 9 - Silk Stocking - 1400m
Winner: Yamazaki
Well you'd think you'd figure the pattern out by now wouldn't you? Mark Zahra certainly did. Absolute Silver Platter. Unfortunately for part owner of Lord Belvedere, Hawko didn't double down on the gun hoop.
Pike fans couldn't bookend the program as Maui Girl was backed off the map, Riri just got caught too far back. Thought Goldifox came home well in the worst part of the track but overall a very mucky race to finish the day as Yamazaki brained them.
Win of the Day: Race 9 Yamazaki
MugBookers to follow:
Neidorp (Race 2)
Good Soize (R4) onwards to Oaks
Humidor (R8)
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