The most open heat. Zipping Mooney (4) won at Wentworth Park in 29.77 three runs back (replay below) and has been around the 30 second mark in admirable efforts since. She’s not blessed with electric early pace but she’s out of a Group 1 staying placegetter in Zipping Virigina so she should be strong to the line.
Rise Up Nismo (1) is from the same kennel as speed machine Honk Honk and although not as quick as the kennelmate, he has talent. 500m still looks a query with most wins coming over 450m at Maitland but he has run 29.79 over this track and trip. Drops out of mixed 4th/5th grade for this.
She Will Kick (3) has won three of her last five all have been over 388m. She’s a track regular though and should lead.
Girl Unleashed (7) is one of the most experienced greyhounds in the race with 48 career starts but only two of those have been over this trip and she’s never won in five starts from Box 7.
Unleash Georgia (6) had her second ever start over 515m at Gosford back in January and ran 30.17. Since then, she’s won three races at Wentworth Park in very slick times of 29.57 (replay below), 29.62 and 29.67. She’s also very quick early with splits of 5.37 and 5.43 at Wenty. Hasn’t raced since May but she’s already a Magic Maiden finalist, has two vacant boxes inside her and looks well above this grade of race.
Intrepid Eagle (8) could be above average and set a new track and trip PB of 29.34 last start. He’s also had sharp wins at Wenty Park (29.62 over 520m) and Richmond (22.54 over 401m) this preparation and is owned by Brian Jaggers of Jungle Deuce fame. A winner in four of six career starts and one to follow.
Zipping Chetty (3) was a recent Group 1 Peter Mosman Opal placegetter behind Coast Rig and has since won at headquarters in 29.74. Building a consistent record with 15 starts garnering five wins and seven minors but another without a lot of early pace.
Hello Chilli (1) is stiff to run into the above three greyhounds but enters this race off the back of a sharp 29.63 effort last week behind Starfire Tears. Has the gun draw and the home track advantage with every one of her 15 starts coming at Gosford.
Tracey Taro (1) won well at Gosford two back in 29.62 (replay below) and was far from disgraced in a 29.88 effort at Wenty Park last time out. She hasn’t missed the frame in her last seven starts and has enough early pace to be prominent from Box 1.
Magical Ang (6) had her first start earlier this month for Pete Lagogiane and it couldn’t have been more impressive. She jumped well, led all the way and stopped the clock in a BON 22.50, with the runner-up, Winsome Josie, winning twice since to frank the form. The mum was a 23-time winner and Group finalist over 500m as well.
Zipping Balboa (3) won three on the bounce earlier in July and ran pretty well behind a talented dog in Speedy Pie two back. Zero wins from five starts in Box 3 isn’t overly appealing and he will be slow out.
Weffalee Lee Lee (8) flies early and should lead this on her ear. She comes out of a hot Kempsey Cup heat and has a good Box 8 record, but trainer Tony Forbes was on record last week saying she isn’t quite running out the 500m trip yet.
The Hound Tips
1. Tracey Taro $1.80
6. Magical Ang $3.60
3. Zipping Balboa $6
8. Weffalee Lee Lee $6.50
Three heats of the Ladbrokes Gosford Goldmine kick off at 7:58pm tonight on thedogs.com.au and the $10,000 final will be held on Tuesday, August 5.
