2025 The Goodwood Day Tips & Preview

GHETTO SUPERSTAR (1) has genuine scope for improvement in his second run back from a freshen-up. 

Michael Shepherdson’s five-year-old went unplaced over this trip at Flemington fresh from a four-week break last month, a run that never went according to plan from the wide gate after giving away a start. 

In saying that, his late sectionals were good, and he does have some nice form around the likes of Revelare and Bur Dubai on his resume. 

He’ll need to settle somewhere in the front half of this field carrying 60kg, but from a much kinder gate, this race is right in his wheelhouse.  

SIR NOW (1) finished within 1.5 lengths of the impressive Up The Den a few weeks ago at Oakbank, a race that was never really run to suit. 

The lightly-raced three-year-old was forced to make a move mid-race from a three-wide position, eventually finding the clear down the centre of the straight where he wound up running fifth in a blanket finish. 

His previous win over this same trip on the Parks track was solid, and from another inside gate, he should be running a much-improved race if he finds cover this time. 

Happy to take the price on offer here for BRAVE DESIGN (1) despite the wide gate in the David Coles AM Stakes. 

This two-year-old by Brave Smash was thrown in the deep end earlier in the autumn when debuting in the Listed Talindert Stakes at Flemington, before going on to run a bold second to subsequent Group 1 winner Vinrock in the G2 VRC Sires. 

He’s been given a nice little break with a jump out between starts to keep him sharp, and having already proven competitive in tougher races, I think he’ll be one of the hardest to hold out if he finds a stalking position in behind the speed. 

Victorian stayer SHE’S A HUSTLER (5) brings the most likable form lines into this race. 

Grahame Begg’s mare is four from six to start her career, winning quite well at Sandown last start where she gapped recent South Australian Derby third place getter, Lavalier, by half a length. 

Unbeaten this prep through three starts with a decent jump out under her belt between runs, it’s only a matter of time before she adds some black-type to her resume, and this looks the perfect race.  

She’s drawn a horror gate, but I don’t mind this for HURRICANE GEORGIE (2) deep into her prep. 

Ben Melham steered this filly by Toronado to a confidence-boosting win at Cranbourne a couple of weeks earlier, a much-improved effort after a slightly disappointing effort in the Claire Lindop the start prior, where she never really picked up. 

Some form around the likes of Benagil and Athanatos in Melbourne stands out on paper, and if she can get across early and dictate, I think she’s a good bet to lead all the way in the SA Fillies Classic. 

REGAL AZMON (8) gave punters a bit of a fright two weeks ago when he went around as the favourite here over the track and distance, only swooping in late to deny Arran Bay right on the line. 

Lachlan Neindorf probably can’t afford to settle as far back this time with under set weights, but this seven-year-old by Magnus is no stranger to stringing together a couple of wins on the bounce. 

Combined with a solid turn of foot, I think there might be plenty left in the tank given he’s only three runs into his prep after nearly a year off the scene. 

NEW YORK LUSTRE (5) went bang first-up at The Valley off a 12-week spell, punching clear to win by three-quarters of a length. 

Still lightly-raced for a five-year-old, Enver Jusufovic’s mare has put together five wins on the trot now, rattling off the fastest final 200m sectional of the day last time out after being given a cozy ride from midfield.  

Carleen Hefel sticks, and from another low gate with the dry track also suiting, this looks the right race for her as she looks to prove herself at Group level for the first time in the Proud Miss Stakes. 

AMEENA (8) presents a compelling case here second-up for Team Freedman. 

She doesn’t win out of turn this girl, but boy did she run a nice race fresh in the Robert Sangster, shifting back to the inside after being held up for a run and looking the winner at one point, before being gunned down out wide by Charm Stone. 

Dean Yendall’s tactics from the same gate will prove key to her chances this time, but dropping 2kg with a good second-up record, I think she can run a nice race at a price. 

Not a race I’m super keen to get involved in, but I do think there’s a case to be made for BALLON D’OR (4) third-up for Will Clarken and connections. 

Her most recent effort at Oakbank was likable, sticking to the inside for fourth with the field spread across the track in a good go for the line. 

She’s got a nice record to her name at this stage of her prep, and with the claim put to good use, the step up to her preferred trip looks perfect now as she continues to improve.