By Brenton Le Grand
Being trained locally is always a massive plus, and Gosford trainer Nick Mitchell won’t have far to travel as he saddles up Directory at The Entertainment Grounds on Tuesday.
The four-year-old Street Sense mare resumes in the XXXX Gold Maiden Plate over 1000m, coming off some handy runs at her first and only preparation.
Emperor Harada (Chris O'Brien) - aiming for his second successive Gosford win. Image by Bradley Photographers
“She showed us flashes of ability last time in,” Mitchell said. “Her trackwork has been pleasing, and we were a bit unlucky not to win at 50-1 at Taree last preparation! She’ll improve on whatever she does Tuesday.”
Another local trainer Carmen Murnane has two representatives in the same event, with Khitaamy coming off a handy second at Cessnock June 4.
The three-year-old Delago Deluxe gelding was backed off the map last start, only to find one better in a maiden over 900m.
Neil Ward also has the luxury of walking his horses to the races on Tuesday, and his three-year-old Emperor Harada is aiming to go back-to-back in the Sydney Comedy Club @ The EG Class 2 over 1200m.
The Haradasun gelding comes off a dominant 3.6 length win here on his home course on June 14, and has drawn well in gate three for hoop Chris O’Brien.
The TEG Membership 2YO Maiden over 1100m looks to be an interesting watch with many Metropolitan stables lining up their youngsters. Chris Waller, Gerald Ryan, Bjorn Baker and David Payne all have strong hands in the event, with Baker’s Horn currently favourite at $3.50. The interestingly-named Snitzel gelding is out of the mare Sucker Punch, hence the boxing-themed name.
Gates open at 11am with the first race scheduled for 11.40am. A variety of hospitality packages are available in the Panorama Lounge, Lakeview Room and Open Terrace.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Gosford here