Tips and previews for racing at Gosford on Thursday

Selections based on a heavy track

Race 1

1. Audaciously Frank is lightly raced with two starts. He debuted with a sixth at Newcastle before showing improvement to finish a close-up second also at Newcastle when finishing off strongly. He sticks at the mile in this event and looks primed to peak. 4. Rouladen resumed from a spell and was having his second start in a race when a last start fourth at Nowra when beaten by a length. He looks to have come back in good order and should handle the rise in distance. 5. Royal And Ready has only had two starts and followed an unplaced debut effort as favourite with a placing at Newcastle. 8. Mr Bohemian failed on debut at Gunnedah, but his two subsequent runs have been sound at Scone and Tamworth, and he shouldn’t be taken lightly.
How to play it: Audaciously Frank to win.

Race 2

1. Iniesta was well fancied on debut on the Kensington track but failed to fire and didn’t beat a runner home. He then ran better when fifth at Scone before being spelled. He’s had two trials leading into this return and has performed well in each. A forward showing is on the cards. 5. World Wide showed talent in three starts earlier in the year and also resumes after two trials and is poised to run well. 10. Stronghold is having his first start after three trials, and he won the latest of them at Rosehill at the end of last month. 8. Lighthorseman has had a number of trials leading into this debut and ran second last time out in the heat at Warwick Farm.
How to play it: Iniesta to win.

Race 3

2. Herman Said returns from a spell after two trials and has a sound overall record with two wins and three placings from nine starts. He was competitive when unplaced in a couple of Brisbane runs before the break and looks set to resume with a bold showing. 5. Remember Jack is also first-up after two trials and had solid Sydney city form before being spelled. Expect him to be prominent. 1. Tartaglia showed improvement when midfield at Taree last time out and can figure here without surprising. 6. The Piccolino has looked good winning two in a row at Taree and can be thereabouts again.
How to play it: Herman Said to win.

Race 4

5. No Limits is having his first start and being out of a Lonhro mare should appreciate the rain affected track. He’s had three trials and won the latest of them at Wyong. 4. Ateba is also on debut after three trials and ran second in his last hitout at Wyong. 9. Skyrise has won two of her three trials leading into this first start and warrants respect, while 11. Eastern Beauty ran second at Goulburn in her second start and resumes here after two trials and won the latest.
How to play it: No Limits to win.

Race 5

9. Written Redemption is a four-year-old mare making her debut and she’s had two barrier trials in preparation. She won the latest on a heavy track at Warwick Farm and looks a leading contender from a good gate. 10. Bonvoy ran a solid race when debuting with a fourth at Warwick Farm and has the ability to race well against this opposition. 12. Tigroni raced on the speed and was beaten narrowly when second at this track when resuming. She should figure prominently. 3. Avon Calling is resuming from a spell and has a city placing to her name.
How to play it: Written Redemption each-way.

Race 6

3. Pazyryk was first-up from a spell at this track last month and lived up to his potential when breaking through for a strong maiden win. She’s drawn to get a good run here and can go on with the job now she’s broken through. 4. Issy’s Star has shown ability in her career with a win and three placings from eight starts, and she resumes here and has been placed twice when first-up. 1. Grinzinger Pod resumes on the back of two trials for a new stable and bears close watching. 2. Rockin’ Millie is also first-up and returns from a long spell. She’s had two trials and is set to sprint well fresh.
How to play it: Pazyryk to win.

Race 7

1. Iron Fury was in good form before being spelled and has had two starts since resuming and finished fourth in each, the latest being at Hawkesbury. He’s drawn well in a small field and gets a chance to break through again. 4. I Am Brave has one win from six starts and wasn’t too far away on the line when resuming with a sixth at Kembla Grange. This looks well within her reach. 5. Serinda is a former Victorian that was resuming for a new stable when finishing last at this track when fresh last time out and is capable of improving. 6. Gaelic Gem was placed at Wyong before failing to fire at Hawkesbury when last produced but can lift on that effort.
How to play it: Iron Fury to win.

Best Bets: Race 2 (1) Iniesta; Race 3 (2) Herman Said.
Best Value: Race 5 (9) Written Redemption.

Supplied by Racing NSW