FEATURE PREVIEWS: THE GOODWOOD
THE GOODWOOD
Track: Morphettville | Distance: 1200m | Type: G1 SW | Rail Position: Out +6 metres Entire. Sectional 608m | Condition: Soft 5 | Prizemoney: $502,250
At the time of writing the track is currently a Soft 5. There is forecasted of showers on Raceday but can’t see if affecting the track conditions too much.
HISTORICAL PROFILING
The Goodwood is a Group 1 set weights and penalties race run over 1200m at Morphettville. Originally named the Goodwood Handicap until 2007, the race then changed from the traditional Handicap conditions to set weights and penalties in order to attract a better quality of field. The first Goodwood was raced all the way back in 1881 as a principal race but almost 100 years later in 1980 it gained Group 1 status.
The biggest two winners of the race are undoubtedly world Class sprinters in TAKEOVER TARGET in 2008 and of course the worlds best ever sprinter in BLACK CAVIAR in 2012.
Other notable winners of the event are AURIE’S STAR in 1940, EUCLASE in 1992, Old warrior BOMBER BILL in 2003 and SANTA ANA LANE in 2018
The leading trainer of the race was way back over 100 years ago with Walter Hickenbotham winning the race 5 times between 1901 and 1910 while Hall of Fame jockey JOHN LETTS has won it 5 times in the saddle.
SPEED MAP
In previous years in this event has been plagued by farcically slow speeds but this year looks different.
Expecting SAVATOXL to take things up with FREE OF DEBT coming across from a wider barrier.
Natural front runners SERADESS and FRONT PAGE will also be vying for an early lead/position so expecting this years race to be run with a genuine tempo.
ZAPETO will look to settle behind the leading pack and will be the first of the hot fancies to put herself into the race.
LOFTY STRIKE, ZOUTORI and ANOTHER AWARD along with CURRAN and FRANKIE PINOT will be sitting back in the field leaving the speed alone and will be ready to strike down the outside in the straight.
THE GOODWOOD | KEY RUNNERS
9. LOFTY STRIKE
6. ZAPETO
10. ZOUTORI
7. CURRAN
17. ANOTHER AWARD
12. FRANKIE PINOT
SUMMARY
Looks LOFTY STRIKES race to lose and everything can fall into place for Julius Sandhu to claim his first G1 as trainer. The writing was on the wall two starts ago in the Newmarket Hcp when charged home for 2nd behind IN SECRET. Forgive the run in a very strong T.J Smith when was checked early on and potentially didn’t handle the heavy track. Draws for an easy run and expect there to be speed on in this years edition so he can charge home over the top of them in the straight.
ZAPETO is next in the market and rightly so after a flashing light run in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes. Was blocked for runs and raced in restricted room in the straight but charged home for a close-up 3rd. Has a great record over this distance and Damien Oliver choosing this ride over KEMANTARI looks a positive push.
ZOUTORI is a Group 1 winner in the past who ticked over nicely for this with a closing 2.6L 5th behind likely leader SAVATOXL. Had to lump 62kg that day so looks perfectly placed with the set weights+penalties with 54.5kg. Craig Williams sticks the ride. Looks a good rough play.
The 5 year old mare ANOTHER AWARD is another horse treated very well at the weight scale. Ran a career best 0.7L 2nd in the Sangster and now drops 4kg in weight. Meets well fancied KALLOS 2.5kg better at the weights from a recent outing. Would love to see the in-form Jason Holder get a Group 1 victory.
Giving a sneaky chance to the bargain buy horse CURRAN. Had no luck in a good Mornington Sprint race. Is a dead-set back market with a strong turn of foot so if they overcook things up-front, he can come home hard late.
FRANKIE PINOT comes off a really good 2nd placing at Warrnambool behind OUTLAW’S REVENGE. This is obviously stronger but the McEvoy team have had a good record in this race lately with recent outside fancied winners in DESPATCH and SAVATOXL. Must go in the exotics. Outside the favourite it’s very open.
You can give chances to KALLOS, FRONT PAGE, CURRAN, ROYAL MERCHANT but you can’t pick them all!
