The TABTouch Gold Rush – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

The emergency Kia Ora Star is an early scratching, leaving a full field of 16 runners for the $1,500,000 The Gold Rush. Ten runners had their last start in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes over 1200m at Ascot on 26 November and three in the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1600m on 19 November, while the remaining 3 came via different races. There are 11 geldings, 2 stallions and 3 mares.. Trainers James Cummings, Daniel Morton, Chris & Michael Gangemi and Adam Durrant each have two runners.

The early favourite is Vilana from the Godolphin stable who won The Hunter over 1300m at Newcastle last start. Second favourite is Kissonallforcheeks who ran 2nd in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stales last outing. Third favourite is Kementari who won this race in 2020 and has had a six week let-up after running 3rd in the Nature Strip Stakes.

Elite Street finshed 6th in the Winterbottom while The Astrologist ran 8th. This’ll Testya started badly but ran on strongly for 3rd in the Winterbottom. Resortman finished 4th in the Group 1 Railway Stakes last start, while Red Can Man faded late for 12th in the Winterbottom. The other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Kementari (11)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Jamie Kah
One of two runners from the Godolphin Stable. This 8YO has won substantially more prizemoney ($4.7 million) than any other runner and was the winner of this race in 2020. He has had a six week let-up after running 3rd in the Nature Strip Stakes and won a recent Belmont trial. One of the key chances.

2. Vilana (1)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Ben Melham
The other runner from the Godolphin Stable. He won The Hunter over 1300m at Newcastle last start to give him his 6th win from 10 starts. Has drawn the inside barrier and likely to race on speed. Leading hope.

3. Elite Street (12)

Trainer: Daniel Morton
Jockey: Brad Rawiller
Finished 6th in the Winterbottom and has a great record at the track. Goes best over 1000-1200m and not expecting him to win over this distance.

4. The Astrologist (5)

Trainer: Leon & Troy Corstens
Jockey: William Pike
Ran 8th in the Winterbottom as he faded to the line. Prefer him in the 1100-1200m range.

5. Massimo (2)

Trainer: Chris & Michael Gangemi
Jockey: Brad Parnham
Finished 3rd in this race last year and has finished in the trifecta at all 7 runs at this track and distance combination. Brad Parnham is a bonus and he has drawn well. Place chance.

6. Stageman (14)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: Joseph Azzopardi
He was the runner-up in this race last year. Got caught in traffic and finished 4 lengths 10th in the Winterbottom. Looks tested.

7. Red Can Man (3)

Trainer: Steve Wolfe
Jockey: Shaun McGruddy
Faded late for 12th in the Winterbottom. Forget that run. Not the worst.

8. Comfort Me (9)

Trainer: Rhys Radford
Jockey: Peter Knuckey
Finished 2nd in the Railway Stakes at long odds. Might be worth a small each-way bet.

9. Resortman (10)

Trainer: Michael Lane
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Ran 4th in the Group 1 Railway Stakes last start. Has won 4 of 8 starts this campaign and has a good record over 1400m. Can place.

10. Beau Rossa (8)

Trainer: Will Clarken
Jockey: Todd Pannell
Finished 7th in the Winterbottom. Prefer others.

11. Hot Zed (13)

Trainer: Lou Luciani
Jockey: Jason Whiting
Has won 7 of 16  races at this track. Finished 4th in the Winterbottom and has the speed to overcome his wide draw. Place chance.

12. Titan Blinders (6)

Trainer: Chris & Michael Gangemi
Jockey: Laqdar Ramoly
Ran 11th in the Winterbottom and has not won at Ascot before. Looking elsewhere.

13. Minsk Moment (17)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: Clint Johnston-Porter
Won the Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes at this track and distance on 19 November. Has won 2 from 4 this campaign and is not without a chance.

14. Kissonallforcheeks (7)

Trainer: Daniel Morton
Jockey: Chris Parnham
Took over at the 100m and was picked off in the final strides for 2nd in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stales last outing. Absolutely flies over 1400m and is one of the main chances.

15. This’ll Testya (16)

Trainer: Mitchell Pateman
Jockey: Lucy Warwick
She started badly but ran on strongly for 3rd in the Winterbottom. Has won or placed at all 4 starts this campaign and can make her presence felt despite drawing the widest barrier.

16. Karli’s Karma (4)

Trainer: Summer Dickson
Jockey: Shaun O’Donnell
Faded to finish 13th in the Railway but will go much better back to 1400m. Rough chance.

17e. Kia Ora Star (15)  – SCRATCHED

The following are the top 5 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
2 Vilana
1 Kementari
9 Resortman
14 Kissonallforcheeks
15 This’ll Testya