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Anything Less, who was only entered for the race because connections were fearful there might not be a race for him at Wentworth Park this weekend, has trialled impressively in preparation for Friday night’s fourth heat of the Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Supplies Gosford Cup.
When Anything Less (pictured, yellow rug) missed a start at Wentworth Park last week, trainer John Finn took the dog to Gosford where he trialled a brilliant 29.68 over the 515m Cup course.
Anything Less has drawn box three in his heat and Finn is happy with the draw.
“John wanted him close to the fence but didn’t really want box one,’’ Finn’s wife Minnie said.
“The boxes at Gosford are a bit away from the rails and had he drawn the one Anything Less might have crashed too sharply towards the fence and lost ground.
“Box three is just about perfect and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of early speed in his heat so Anything Less should go well.’’
Anything Less is chasing his 12th win in 19 starts and should enhance his already imposing record as Are Jip, box four, uses a bit of the track, while Silent Effective, in box five, is a slow beginner.
ZIPPING">ZIPPING Willow however has trialled below general expectations in her first look at the Gosford track as she winds down to heat two of the Cup.
The sprinter has box four but in her Gosford hit-out she recorded 29.97 which trainer Jason MACKAY described as “Nothing flash.’’
“ZIPPING Willow’s first sections were as good as you would expect from her but her overall time was ordinary," MACKAY said.
“Having said that she has never been a bitch to go brilliantly at her first look at a track so she could improve sharply on Friday night.
"I’m quite happy with her draw.’’
Gosford specialist Hilda’s Boy could be the surprise packet in heat one of the Cup.
Trainer Mario Abela was disappointed when the Bankstown City Cup winner led but was run down and beaten into third place at Wentworth Park last Friday night.
“He just doesn’t seem to like Wentworth Park - I don’t think he is doing his best there,’’ Abela said.
But the Rouse Hill trainer has always made no secret of the fact he considers Gosford to be close to Hilda’s Boy’s favourite track and the dog looks nicely positioned in box five in heat one.
Hilda’s Boy races in the centre of the track and Abela has always contended that the dog prefers to be on the outside, not on the inside, of his closest rivals in running.
Noted slow beginner and wide runner My Boy Snoop has box six so should ensure Hilda’s Boy gets a clear run to the first turn.
Strongest of the four heats is the third, in which Nation Sprint Championship winner Chica Destacada , box five, clashes with Maturity Classic runner-up Shoulders and Queen Esther, a winner of five from eight Gosford starts.
Chica Destacada won her only race at Gosford in a sizzling 29.46 and is nicely drawn in the centre of the course as she exploded from box five to win her heat of the John Stollery Christmas Gift from that draw at Wentworth Park on December 6.
Best bet on the Gosford card is the sensationally drawn ZIPPING Carter, an exciting maiden prospect, who has box one in race one.
Now trained by Jason MACKAY, ZIPPING Carter was in Peter Lagogiane’s kennels when he finished a luckless second, from an unsuitable wide box seven draw, in a heat of the Macro Meats Maiden at Wentworth Park on November 23.
This is the latest leg of the Thank Dog It's Friday series, which showcases the best racing at regional NSW tracks in a primetime Friday night slots.
VIP tickets and other entertainment feature on the night of the final, which takes place on Friday, January 2.
For more information on the series, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Boxing Day Gosford tips:
Best Bet: ZIPPING Carter (Race 1)
Best Value: Hilda’s Boy (Race 5)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 5, 1, 8, 3
Race 6 – 4, 2
Race 7 – 5, 3, 2
Race 8 – 3, 2
$20 for 41.66%
