FEATURE PREVIEWS: THE GOODWOOD

Track: Good 4 (Outer Track)| Distance: 1200m | Type: G1 SW | Rail Position: +4m Entire, Sectional 605m | Condition: Soft 5 | Prizemoney: $502,250

At the time of writing the track is currently a Soft 5. There are forecasted showers on Raceday but can’t see it affecting the track conditions too much.

The Goodwood is a set weights and penalties Group 1 raced over 1200m at the Morphettville racecourse in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the fourth and final Group 1 of the South Australian Racing Carnival.

The event has now seen an increase in prizemoney from 502k to a total pool of 1 million dollars as of 2024 and onwards. The Goodwood was first run in 1881 then known as The Goodwood Handicap. Since 2007 it has been changed to a set weights and penalties race and therefore changed it’s name to The Goodwood.

The leading trainer of the race was Walter Hickenbotham with 5 wins between the years 1901 to 1910 while South Australian legend Jockey John Letts has won it 5 times between the years 1961 and 1984.

The race attracts the nations best sprinters so there have been some superstar horses that have won the race. They include: Royal Gem (1946) Matrice (1956) Euclase (1992) Bomber Bill (2003) Takeover Target (2009) Black Caviar (2012) and Santa Ana Lane (2019)

The speedy 3yo from Western Australia Oscar’s Fortune should come across from Gate 8 and race on speed with the lightweight while the Godolphin runner Vilana will likely press on from the wide barrier.

The well fancied I Am Me  draws to do no work on the inside and should take a prominent position while race favourite Amelia’s Jewel should be able to settle closer with the blinkers on from a somewhat better draw than the Quokka.

Local hope Sghirripa is quite tractable so Craig Newitt will have a decision whether to go back or forward from that wide draw.

Benedetta draws perfectly in gate 3 and should get the run of the race for last weeks Group 1 jockey in Jamie Kah.

2. Amelia’s Jewel
15. Oscar’s Fortune
7. Benedetta
9. Johnny Rocker

• Amelias Jewel is the star horse of the race and deserved favourite. She’s won a Group 1 race over 1800m but she is tractable over the Sprint trips. Tried her guts out in the $5 million dollar Quokka when just couldn’t get past Overpass but was game for 2nd. She’s the best horse in the race and gets to prove that here. Deserves to win another Group 1.
• Oscar’s Fortune ran a brave 3rd behind Amelia’s Jewel when William Pike saved ground along the fence and almost pinched it late. He’s a young Western Australian horse on the rise and he does meet Amelia’s Jewel 2.5kg better off at the weights.
• Benedetta ran well for 3rd in the Robert Sangster when 0.4L 3rd behind Climbing Star. Meets that horse now 1.5kg better off at the weights and Jamie Kah is a key engagement.
• Think the race is heading back across the border but Sghirippa and Extremely Lucky look the best of the local hopes.
• Johnny Rocker started $71 in the Group 1 William Reid and almost ran down the worlds best sprinter in Imperatiz. Then was close up in a G1 TJ Smith in Sydney. That’s probably the best form reference for this race.

BACK: 2. Amelia’s Jewel (WIN) for 2 units