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

7 hours ago 4

By Neil Evans

July 9, 2025 — 5.00pm

Track soft 6 and rail out 3m from 1100m to WP & True the remainder.

RACE 1

8. The Big Blue is a lightly raced improver that can break through second up over more ground. Liked the way he ran home late when fresh at Wyong, and being bred to get much further, this is an ideal step up in trip. 3. Pirrip was fair when closing late on debut at Kembla after a tough run from the draw. Drawn to settle closer here and getting out to a more suitable mile journey. 9. Walk Like A Man is also suited over a furlong further third up. 7. Steel Rain is over the odds back out to this distance fifth up from a softer draw. Gap to the rest headed by 10. Poiema, which gets more ground and an important gear change second up.
How to play it: The Big Blue to win.

RACE 2

4. Up And Under gets a golden chance to finally snatch a second career win at his 22nd start, dropping back in grade. Has placed in his past three from right on the speed, twice at metro BM72 level, and is well treated at the weights here in provincial company. He can roll forward and take a power of running down. 1. Anderson Bridge gets a timely big drop in class having hit the line nicely in two of his past three against metropolitan opposition. 3. Lennox is working towards a second win and drops in grade from a tough city effort over a longer trip. 8. Twilight Elegance, peaking fourth up, is the best of the rest and goes in all exotic plays.
How to play it: Up And Under to win.

RACE 3

6. Caesar is an exciting two-year-old colt by Capitalist on debut for the Peter Snowden stable, and the one to beat in suitable conditions. Has won both lead-up trials on rain-affected ground, and given plenty of time to prepare for his first outing. Watch the betting on 7. Disparate, a well bred colt in the Michael Freedman yard that makes his debut from the inside draw behind two quiet trials. 2. California Command is a stablemate of the top selection, and resumes off two easy trials. Gap to the rest, headed by 1. Alfred, which is trained on the track.
How to play it: Caesar to win.

RACE 4

3. Doralee is a progressive filly by an Everest winner that rates clear on top here five weeks between runs. Has been close up in her past two efforts behind a couple of handy ones at the provincials, and trialled well recently behind a listed winner. 5. Step Quick has been in and around the money all prep, is drawn to get a soft run on speed and thrives on wet tracks. 1. All Saints is lightly raced and can improve sharply second up, while 6. Exotique, fitter at her third start, and 9. Tassie Lee, a first starter by Tassort, are capable of running into the minor money.
How to play it: Doralee to win.

RACE 5

Plenty to like about Godolphin filly 12. Profile, which makes her debut off two progressive trials, winning the latest with plenty in hand. By Frosted and bred to not only relish soft ground but get over much further being out of a Commands mare. 10. Nazwah is a natural threat also having her first start behind a strong recent trial. Another one by Capitalist in the Snowden yard, and drawn the inside. 5. Miss Judas can peak second up after finding the line OK when well in the market fresh at Hawkesbury. 14. Who I Think I Am, a filly by So You Think for Ciaron Maher, is another debutant behind two trials.
How to play it: Profile to win.

RACE 6

4. Tessy Tee is a progressive metro filly well placed to strike fourth up with a key gear change. Was in the placings in two runs against similar opposition before reloading off a five-week break and being run down at Hawkesbury after taking over on the turn. Back 100m in trip and on to a smaller track are big advantages. Was scratched from Canterbury on Wednesday to be saved for this. 1. Harlex has a tricky draw, but has only missed narrowly in her past two at the provincials, and if the wider ground is in play, he will give a huge sight. 3. Duke of Camden is each-way value and a betting watch resuming behind two improving metro trials. Gap to the rest headed by 2. Show County second up.
How to play it: Tessy Tee to win.

RACE 7

3. Efharisto was ultra-impressive sweeping home to beat a handy maiden field at Hawkesbury in only her second start, and first since making her debut as a two-year-old in November 2023. Reportedly trained on well since, and 100m further looks just right. 4. Burj is the clear threat second up. Not suited in her first outing for nearly six months when anchored in the slowest part of the track here four weeks ago, and the drop back 100m in distance is a plus as well. 5. Divine Vicky has not won for a while, but she has ability and draws the inside. Just needs the track to continue drying out. 2. O’invincible can improve many lengths second up. 7. Etude comes off a nine-week break after four consistent closing efforts in Queensland. 8. Lady Memphis heads the rest at big odds third up in her first full prep.
How to play it: Efharisto to win.

RACE 8

5. Fly Scotty Fly is a tough and lightly raced three-year-old that can launch home second up. Needed the run when sticking on OK behind a smart winner resuming at Hawkesbury, and bounces off that into this where he’s drawn to get to the middle of the track late. 2. Straand Beauty has been given a month’s break after three fair efforts. Won a city trial comfortably 17 days ago. 7. Mirai San steps up from a dominant maiden win on debut in the country. 3. Thundering Soul and 6. Exceed Perfection, both resuming off two improving trials, can run into the minor money.
How to play it: Fly Scotty Fly to win.