Feature racing in NSW heads south to Kembla Grange this Saturday afternoon for the $1 million The Gong run over 1600m.
Our full 2021 The Gong Tips & Preview can be read below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1 – 12:20pm – Go Hire BM78 Handicap (2000m)
Tip: No. 1 Shibli
Grey gelding Shibli has been well placed throughout this prep so far managing three wins from his last four starts.
The Chris Waller trained five year old was an impressive winner at this grade of racing last time out at Rosehill and although he rises in distance and weight, he looks the one to beat in the opening race of the afternoon at Kembla Grange.
Race 2 – 12:55pm – Highway Handicap (1600m)
Tip: No. 4 Sizzling Cat
Sizzling Cat has returned two impressive effort so far this prep including a narrow defeat in a Highway race at Rosehill two weeks ago.
The step up to 1600m should only benefit the horse and Tyler Schiller will again give the horse some weight relief from barrier eight.
Race 3 – 1:30pm – Canadian Club BM78 Handicap (1000m)
Tip: No. 2 Remlaps Gem
Remlaps Gem finished his last campaign with a 1.5 length win at Newcastle over the short 900m course and was dominant when resuming with a 2.2 length win at Muswellbrook first up.
He is a very progressive type of horse with untapped ability and he will again be tough to beat in this event.
Race 4 – 2:05pm – Elite Sand & Soul BM78 Handicap (1200m)
Tip: No. 12 Zarastro
Zarastro was well supported first up at Canterbury when scoring by almost a length over 1100m and with natural progressive and race fitness will be better second up.
The son of I Am Invincible will appreciate the step up in distance now and he gets in with just 52kg in this event.
Race 5 – 2:40pm – Evergreen Turf Australia F&M BM78 Handicap (1200m)
Tip: No. 3 Selburose
The Chris Waller trained Selburose is a mare racing in good form right at the minute, having placed in her last five in a row.
A win at Randwick was followed by a narrow defeat at Rosehill last start and James McDonald jumps back aboard for this assignment.
Race 6 – 3:20pm – PFD Food Services Midway BM72 Handicap (1400m)
Tip: No. 19 Nicochet
Nicochet is the third emergency for the sixth race on the card at Kembla Grange is enticing at his current price should he gain a start.
He has been narrowly denied at his past couple and he gets in with just 54kg in this race.
Race 7 – 4:00pm – Traffic Logistics The Warra (1000m)
Tip: No. 3 Malkovich
Four year old Malkovich is a very progressive and consistent horse who has a heap of upside.
He was beaten less than a length in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint first up before he was narrowly denied at Listed level last start.
This looks an ideal race for him and he should be ready to peak third up from the marble draw.
Race 8 – 4:40pm – The Gong (1600m)
Tip: No. 1 I Am Superman & No. 13 Criaderas
I Am Superman will be required to carry the top weight in the feature but both his runs have been full of promise this prep.
He finished within two lengths of Masked Crusader first up and was cramped for room late in the Classique Legend, doing his best work late.
The step up in trip is ideal at his third run in.
Criaderas jumped awkwardly when resuming at Randwick but made up significant ground late in the race.
He represents great each way value at the double figure odds.
Race 9 – 5:20pm – Abax Contraction BM88 Handicap (1600m)
Tip: No. 5 Wheelhouse & No. 9 Lackeen
Happy to have a two bet strategy in this one.
Wheelhouse was excellent when narrowly defeated at Listed level last start and will be ready to peak at his third run this prep.
Lackeen scored by over a length at Flemington in a Benchmark 90 on Melbourne Cup day.
He has a tricky gate to overcome but has the added benefit of James McDonald steering.
Race 10 – 6:00pm – Polytrack BM78 Handicap (1400m)
Tip: Boxed Tri 1/5/6/10
Let’s box them up in the last and end the day on a high note.