Wagga Wagga Gold Cup – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

Following the early scratching of Dolphina, there is a field of 15 runners for the $200,000 Wagga Cup with 14 geldings and a stallion.  They come from a variety of places and through many different races but three of them had their last start in the 1800m Murrumbidgee Cup at Wagga on 24 April, two in the Group 3 Easter Cup over 2000m at Caulfield on 16 April and two in a BM 88 Handicap over 1800m at Randwick on 23 April. There are 2 four-year-olds, 5 five-year-olds, 4 six-year-olds and 4 seven-year-olds. Chris Waller has three runners, Anthony & Sam Freedman have two and Canberra trainer Keith Dryden also has two.

The  early betting is wide open and the early favourite is Aleas who just missed as favourite last start at Randwick. Second favourite is Ain’tnodeeldun who ran 2nd at Caulfield last start and gets the blinkers on for the first time.. Third favouritism is shared between Irish Sequel who was a last start winner at Randwick on a heavy track and comes back to race at a country level, and Five Kingdom who has placed in four runs from four this campaign.

Numerian was 2nd in the Group 3 JRA Plate over 2000m last start. Spirit Ridge finished equal 2nd in this race last year and comes off 4th in the Easter Cup. Brutality is on a six day back-up after 4th in the Hawkesbury Cup. Esti Feny finished 5th in the Easter Cup. Pancho ran 1.5 lengths back from the winner last start at Flemington, while Reggiewood won by over 3 lengths over 1815m at Eagle Farm on 16 April.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Warning (16)

One of two runners for Anthony & Sam Freedman. Has drawn the outside barrier and has to carry 6.5 kg more than most of the field. Looking to others..

2. Numerian (1)

Has drawn barrier 1. Was 2nd in the Group 3 JRA Plate over 2000m last start.

3. Spirit Ridge (11)

finished equal 2nd in this race last year and comes off 4th in the Easter Cup.

4. Brutality (8)

on a six day back-up after 4th in the Hawkesbury Cup

One of three runners for Chris Waller. Ran 1.5 lengths back from the winner last start at Flemington

finished 5th in the Easter Cup

7. Irish Sequel (7)

was a last start winner at Randwick on a heavy track and comes back to race at a country level,

8. Five Kingdom (6)

has placed in four runs from four this campaign.

9. Aleas (3)

just missed as favourite last start at Randwick

10. Ain’tnodeeldun (12)

ran 2nd at Caulfield last start and gets the blinkers on for the first time.

11. Reggiewood (2)

won by over 3 lengths over 1815m at Eagle Farm on 16 April.

12. Dream Runner (10)

One of two runners for Keith Dryden.

13. Roman (13)

One of only two runners who have won at this track before.

14. This Skilled Cat (5)

The other runner who has won at this track.

15. Gunga Din (4)

Looking to others.

16. Dolphina (14)  – SCRATCHED

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

Jo’s Tips
9 Aleas
7 Irish Sequel
11 Reggiewood
4 Brutality

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	9 Aleas
2nd	12 Dream Runner	0.22 length
3rd	8 Five Kingdom	0.33 length
4th	3 Spirit Ridge	2.19 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 1. Warning, 2. Numerian, 5. Pancho, 15. Gunga Din, 16. Dolphina.