Race-by-race preview and tips for Gosford on Thursday

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

5. Rita’s Pearl was down the track when resuming from a spell but her three runs since then have all been sound. She has finished second in two runs at Wyong either side of a fourth at Newcastle and isn’t opposed to the strongest opposition in this event. She only needs to have maintained her recent form to be rated as the one to beat. 4. Brundee Tom was placed at Albury two starts ago and backed that up with a last-start third at Canberra last week when beaten a length. He is racing well enough to be thereabouts. 7. Pharoah Queen was second-up from a spell when a last-start third at Wyong and can figure prominently based on that run. 3. Mortlake ran well when placed at Port Macquarie when last produced and is not out of this.

How to play it: Rita’s Pearl WIN.

Race 2

3. Dragon Scroll finished seventh at Moe on debut last September and was spelled after that event. She’s had two trials at Randwick leading into this resuming run and the small field should suit. 6. Sammy The Bull has finished third in each of two runs since resuming and only needs to run up to those efforts to be in the mix. 8. Side Quest failed to beat a runner home on debut at Hawkesbury but can improve. 1. Acquaro returns from a lengthy spell for a new stable.

How to play it: Dragon Scroll WIN.

Race 3

4. Miles Of Glory has had two starts back from a spell and hasn’t been beaten in each of them including a last-start third at Goulburn. The step-up in distance here suits and she gets her chance to chalk up another win. 1. Derry City Felix justified an odds-on quote to score a last-start win at Wyong and warrants respect again on that effort. 5. Serpico won well at Wyong two starts ago and backed that up with a sixth at the same track. 6. Villa Castina resumed with a fourth at Goulburn and should be better for that hitout.

How to play it: Miles Of Glory WIN.

Race 4

3. Fernweh is first-up from a spell and as has two city placings to his name from just the four starts. He’s had two trials in preparation for this and is poised to perform well. 2. Dirty Summer ran second on debut on the Beaumont track at Newcastle and resumes here after a couple of good trials. 5. Gamp resumed with a second at this track and should take plenty of beating again. 4. Revolutionary Star resumes after two solid trials and bears close watching.

How to play it: Fernweh WIN.

Race 5

1. Arato was on debut when finishing second at Hawkesbury when finishing off well. He can go on with the job here with the benefit of improvement. 9. Le Bleu Ciel is having her first start after four trials in total and won the latest of them at Newcastle on the Beaumont track in February. She should perform well in the strength of that. 14. Yeszem resume after two trials and can improve on her two runs in October. 16. Ready Made Heir has been placed in three of four since resuming from a spell and has minor claims again.

How to play it: Arato WIN.

Race 6

4. Jacob’s Lader hasn’t raced since finished down the track in the Four Pillars at Randwick in November. He was a strong winner at Kembla Grange last September and is a trial winner leading into this. 5. Show County hasn’t been disgraced in two runs since resuming from a spell and a forward showing wouldn’t surprise. 6. Probability Theory is a winner of two of four starts, and she’s had two trials in preparation for this return to racing. 2. Puerto Banus has had three runs back from a spell and has performed well enough in each to rate a chance in this.

How to play it: Jacob’s Lader WIN.

Race 7

13. Chisato was first-up from a spell and went to the front when scoring a strong win on the Beaumont track at Newcastle. She has upside and has drawn ideally in this event. 4. Pimlico was a Kembla Grange winner before a Rosehill fourth in November and was then spelled. He resumes here after two trials and can sprint well fresh. 9. Call Me Sassy is also resuming and has a win and three placings from four starts. 8. Newy was a last-start Beaumont track winner and can figure again.

How to play it: Chisato EACH WAY.

Race 8

1. Against The Law was first-up from a spell at Hawkesbury when last produced and finished off well enough to be midfield. He had trialled twice before that event, and he’s shown enough talent in his career to be hard to hold out here. 10. Into Brooklyn was a winner at Muswellbrook in November and has been placed in each of three runs since resuming. Another forward showing is on the cards. 7. Viipuri hasn’t been far away in two runs since a resuming Muswellbrook victory. 8. Play My Song has talent and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

How to play it: Against The Law EACH WAY.

Best Bets: Race 4 (3) Fernweh.

Race 6 (4) Jacob’s Ladder.

Best Value: Race 7 (13) Chisato.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays at racingnsw.com.au