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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Friday’s Wyong Gold Cup meeting. The track is rated Good 4.

Any of the main four in the betting can win this race for mine. 5. Rock is a nicely bred three-year-old whose two recent trials have suggested there’s a bit of ability under the hood. Hit the line nicely behind a runaway winner at Hawkesbury then tucked in behind and not tested behind Wagner at Rosehill. If he’s solid in the market he should go close.

Dangers: 7. Shinju loomed as a possible winner first-up at Kembla but the winner gave him a cold in the last 200m and he’d had enough on the line running third. Fitter for that, assuming there’s no tactics change he’ll probably have the last shot at them. 6. Scepter Of Power is another well bred debutant and he didn’t have the blinkers on in his latest trial when a close third, under some duress, at Newcastle. In top stable and pay to keep him safe. 4. Rectitude will likely lead and while beaten in all three starts so far he’s been far from disgraced. Found a couple better at Canterbury last time but can give a sight around here.

How to play it: Rock WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Rock finishes fourth to Wagner in his trial at Rosehill on August 20

We all know trial form can be hit and miss but I’d be surprised if 7. Prophet’s Thumb, who officially turns three on Saturday, isn’t very competitive on debut on the back of two eye-catching efforts out at Warwick Farm. She’s settled well back in the trials, not sure where she gets to from gate two but if she runs up to her trials she’s a big chance.

Dangers: 6. Lucky Helmet didn’t do a bad job at his only start at Newcastle back in March, making good ground late as he did in his latest trial at Randwick. Possibly he’ll excel over further down the track but he’s one to keep in mind. 9. Veranes is the early favourite but I can’t work out why. She did run a couple of nice races in Listed company in Brisbane last summer but didn’t do a whole lot last start at Warwick Farm when a $19 chance. The quiet trial since told us nothing as well. I’m opposing her but the Waller/McEvoy combination is worth some respect. 5. Enfilade is a typically well bred filly from the Godolphin camp on debut, second trial was better than the first so keep her safe.

How to play it: Prophet’s Thumb WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

Prophet’s Thumb sails home into a close third at Warwick Farm on August 24

She’s short enough in the market but this race will tell us a lot about 9. Panzerfaust as a racehorse. She drew wide and gave away too much start second-up then was 1280m to a mile and was back and wide on a day where you needed to be closer to the inside in a Highway at Randwick. Her effort was solid as she kept coming, running 11.84 last 200m and covering more ground (+12/8m) than those that beat her home (Punters Intel). Back in class, drawn okay and should be at her peak. No excuses, entitled to win.

Dangers: 10. Flower Of Love is ready for the extra trip after three runs at 1400m and she was possibly a bit unlucky not to finish a bit closer when fifth at Kembla last start. Held up at a few stages but kept finding the line and she looks a threat. 8. Velocano disappointed last time at Newcastle but she stuck on pretty well on the pace when runner up in a similar race here almost a month ago. Each-way chance on that run. 4. Ardanza lost her way in stronger company at the end of last preparation but she started it in good fashion with a first-up win over a mile at Goulburn and a handy second-up effort at Warwick Farm. So she’s capable of featuring if she’s ready to go, and they rarely kick off at the trip if they aren’t.

How to play it: Panzerfaust WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Panzerfaust’s last start fifth at Randwick on August 18

Open race and while she’s only had the two starts 10. Lady Of Shalott has shown above average ability winning a good form race on debut then jumping straight to Listed level and finding the line into a placing. Resumes at 1200m which, on her last run, should be no issue and she’s drawn to get the run of the race. The two trials have been quiet ones but take a look at who were in them – Jonker, Graff, El Dorado Dreaming, Smart Melody. I’d be surprised if she doesn’t run very well.

Dangers: 2. Our Royal Egyptian disappointed second-up at Canterbury but you needed to be on pace that day so she might be worth forgiving. Led and gave a sight first-up and if she finds the lead here she should take some running down. 5. Intrinsic is a better horse than what she showed when resuming at Gosford where she sat on the speed and went backwards as a well supported favourite. Might need some luck in running but she’s been favourite in four of her five starts so has obviously shown plenty. Give her one more chance. 3. Blowing Kisses is really hard to read. At times she’s shown plenty of ability but things don’t seem to pan out for her. Settled last at Canterbury last time and ran home with inside runs into fifth, same race as Our Royal Egyptian, but from a better draw she might settle a bit closer. Wouldn’t leave her out completely.

How to play it: Lady Of Shalott E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Lady Of Shalott runs third in Listed company at Scone in May

I’m not going to overcomplicate this race, 8. Smart Melody is one of the most promising horses in the country and she’s a very short priced favourite for good reason. She’s won both her starts by over five lengths, her recent trial was super, she has barrier one and Kerrin McEvoy to ride. There’s some speed on paper here but she only needs a clear crack at them and she should be too good.

Dangers: 7. Ridicule might have an issue or two from the wide gate but she’s a handy filly with a win over Dark Dream to her name from March. Two trials back have been good in open company and if something goes wrong with the favourite she could be there to pounce. 1. Americana Magic is the likely leader and he does seem to excel around these tighter tracks with wins here and at Gosford either side of a couple of placings at Newcastle. Will give a sight, whether he can hold them off is the trick. 2. Parlay Vous has a good first-up record and is possible at his best at 1000m but it wouldn’t surprise to see him run into a placing fresh.

How to play it: Smart Melody WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Smart Melody makes light work of her rivals at Canterbury on June 27

It’s impossible to ignore the form references around 7. Shumookh and you’d only need to see positive moves in the betting to think she can resume a winner. Cantered in on debut then gave D’Argento a fright at Randwick, almost knocked over Alizee in the Light Fingers, gave a huge sight behind Shoals in the G1 Surround then started favourite running fifth to Unforgotten. Her first trial was solid, the latest one was in Invincible Star’s 10 length win so it’s not a surprise she wasn’t knocked about. Drawn to lead if they want or get a perfect sit and looks the mare to beat.

Dangers: 2. Princess Posh is not as established at stakes level but she’s a very honest mare and you had to like her trial at Newcastle recently. She performs well fresh and is capable of figuring in the finish. 4. Savatiano is an up and comer who won both starts back in May before another break and she’s been trialling up well enough for a return. Her sticky issue is the barrier, whether they go forward or ride for a bit of luck. Capable of winning if the race works out for her. 3. Irithea has been aided by the scratchings and she attacks this race in form with successive city wins at 1400m. Each-way.

How to play it: Shumookh WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Shumookh runs a close third in the Group 1 Surround Stakes at Randwick in March

I could make a case for several runners in the Cup but I’m going with my initial thoughts and 4. Harper’s Choice. He came off a six week break to win nicely at Rosehill three weeks ago where he stalked the pace, hit the lead and held them off. He can only be fitter for that and while drawn the outside he will go forward and I can see him getting into a nice spot as he did last time if he doesn’t lead. Perfect distance for him and he should run well.

Dangers: 5. Black On Gold resumed with a nice effort in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury, finding the line when the race was all over just behind the placings. Second-up form is a bit patchy but he’d only had a couple of months off between runs. Expect him to be strong at the finish. 2. Morton’s Fork is a horse I have a love/hate relationship with because he’s been very costly at times but he comes off a popular win at Moonee Valley at a similar trip. Drawn to have every chance and he only needs to put in to be a big chance. 7. Carzoff is always around the mark but doesn’t win them very often. He started favourite and hit the line without threatening behind Harper’s Choice at Rosehill and only get a 1kg advantage on that clash. But, he’s a definite chance.

How to play it: Harper’s Choice E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Harper’s Choice wins at Rosehill on August 11

Tough one to finish. 6. Nuke may have been a bit fortunate to win at Canterbury last start, gaining an inside run on the turn, but all four runs this time in have been sound. Small issue with where he winds up in the run but with even luck is a major player.

Dangers: 5. Nai’a finally broke through when out to a mile before a spell so might find this a bit short but she’s not to be overlooked. She did work up to that win in good style and trialled well enough to suggest she can set herself up for a good prep with this run. 2. Deluxe Rocker led early then handed it up and was never a factor after that at Canterbury in a much stronger race than this first-up. Expect he will look to lead from the outside gate and if he does that he can give them something to catch. 8. Morpheus was sent out $1.75 last start and bumped into Dealmaker, who looks smart, before a break. Won a 1200m trial under some pressure and may need this run but should be hitting the line.

How to play it: Nuke E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Nuke's last start win at Canterbury on August 15

BEST BET: Race 6 No.7 Shumookh ($2.20)

BEST EACH-WAY: Race 4 No.10 Lady Of Shalott ($6.50)

$20 QUADDIE: 8/2,3,4,7/2,4,5,7/2,5,6,8 @ $20 = 31.25%

All the fields, form and replays for Friday’s Wyong Gold Cup meeting