Ten stayers will step out in this afternoon’s Listed Gosford Cup (2100m) and we are set for another exciting feature race in provincial New South Wales.
European import Singing failed to live up to the hype when he debuted in Australia in 2016, but the eight-year-old has found terrific form this time in and has firmed into $3.20 favouritism in our Gosford Cup betting market.
Singing was sent to the paddock after three lacklustre starts in autumn and clearly required a run when he faded late to finish fifth in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) first-up on September 1st.
Trainer Kris Lees elected to give the horse six weeks between his first-up and second-up runs this time, but he again faded last to finish six lengths off the pace in a BM95 race at Randwick on October 28th.
Having flown home to post his first win in Australia at Doomben on December 9th, the Singspiel entire repeated that effort and result in the Shoot Out Quality (2200m) last time out on December 30th.
This is a clear step up in class and the horse will need to take improvement into the Gosford Cup if he is any chance again. Glyn Schofield will look to cross the field and take up the running from barrier 9, but he’ll require plenty of luck.
Mighty Lucky is as tough as the come and the veteran remains the sole occupant of the second line of Gosford Cup betting after receiving steady support.
The Casino Prince gelding is a multiple winner amongst black type company and he has returned to competitive form again this time in, without finding the winner’s stall.
Mighty Lucky produced a number of credible performances and result through spring, including a close second behind Washington Heights in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) on September 23rd and has continued to race well in recent months.
Having finishing fourth in the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1400m) at Hawkesbury in November, Mighty Lucky has since finished fourth in each of the Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m), Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) and Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m).
A step up to 2100m looks ideal for the horse at this point of his preparation and regular hoop Chris O’Brien is sure to get the best out of him at Gosford.
One runner that is worth consideration as a genuine each-way contender is the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Dee I Cee.
Dee I Cee has always looked capable of winning feature races since arriving from New Zealand in 2016, but he is another horse that has finally started living up to his ability in recent months.
The Istidaad gelding won the Listed Premier’s Cup (1900m) at big odds on August, but ran into plenty of bother through his next few starts and failed to produce.
Sent for a freshen-up after he beat only one runner home in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) on September 23rd, Dee I Cee has finished mid-pack in two starts since returning and is ready to peak in form here.
I like that he has been sent for a trial since his most-recent race on Boxing Day and the Waterhouse & Bott stable is absolutely flying. Dee I Cee is currently available at $7 odds to win or $2.30 to run a place in our Gosford Cup market.