Gothic Stakes- 2022

Track: Heavy Weather: Fine

A strong edition of this years race. Angry Skies ran an eye-catching race and looks nicely placed from the good draw. Eponymous was unlucky last run and can atone against this bunch. Garza Blanca jumps from maiden grade but won with plenty in hand and can go on with things here. Sandpaper comes up with a tricky draw but has some strong NSW form and had no luck when resuming. This is a wide open race and the tempo looks okay.

1. Counttheheadlights (5)

Wouldn’t surprise me at $41.00. Really needs to lift but did run 2 lengths behind Lofty Strike and Semillion. If it can find that form it will give this a massive shake. Keep safe.

2. Liberty Steps (15)

Going okay but barrier 15 makes things very tricky. Respect any market moves.

3. Lincoln Square (4)

Ran well last start but had its chance and prefer a few others in this out of the same race. Maps kindly and natural progression sees it a good chance in this. Top 4 hope.

4. Zamborghini (2)

Doesn’t look hopeless at odds. The form out of its first up run includes Jacquinot and Aft Cabin. Zamborghini maps well, should plonk on the speed nad by all means can pinch this race at $23.00.

5. Yaka Ishi (6)

Kicked well to hang on and break maiden. Has always shown ability and this looks a good next stop. Capable.

6. Sandpaper (11)

Looks right in this. Like the NSW form, just tapered off at the end of last prep but looks to have come back well. Barrier 11 is tricky but Sandpaper had no luck last start and getting Jamie Kah in the saddle is a big plus. The $11.00 is large.

7. New York Hurricane (8)

Not today.

8. Eponymous (7)

Unlucky last run after rattling home. Always respecting the Waller and Prebble combination as they have found the placings 40% of the time this year. The draw is slighty tricky but it has ability and can take this out.

9. Sketched (12)

Didn’t have much luck on the tight Valley track last run. Moloney sticks and its debut win was on the heavy so it will handle the conditions just fine. The $12.00 seems the right price. Can win.

10. Hawaii Five Oh (9)  – SCRATCHED

11. Custodian (13)

Has class and that should carry it a long way in this. No placings on the soft but those runs were in harder company, this race is within reach. Top 4 chance.

12. Angry Skies (3)

Loved the last start run clocking some good splits. Its worth noting the debut win of Angry Skies was in the heavy so it will handle the conditions and maps to perfection from the draw. Hasn’t put a foot wrong and looks very hard to beat in this field. I have it on top.

13. Oceans Above (10)

Won well on debut before doing a bit wrong last start. Was stuck wide so best to be forgiving of the effort and worth noting that Mcdougall hops back aboard and he is 1/1 on Oceans Above. This race is within reach.

14. He’ll Rip (1)

Kicked well last start and gets favours from the nice draw. There is much more depth to this race but its been well backed in early markets and proven in the heavy.

15. Garza Blanca (14)

Bolted in last run. This is a decent leap in depth and Garza Blanca gets no favours from the draw but it was hard not to like its click up speed last start and may just possess the best turn of foot out of this bunch. Expect a bold sight.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Bryce’s Tips	Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
12 Angry Skies	8 Eponymous	12 Angry Skies (BB)
8 Eponymous	12 Angry Skies	8 Eponymous
6 Sandpaper	15 Garza Blanca	9 Sketched
9 Sketched	11 Custodian	6 Sandpaper