THE GONG 2019 PREVIEW
KEMBLA GRANGE RACE 6 – 16:20 AEDT
3YO & UP
1600m
$1,000,000
GOOD 4
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 0x610 | MISTER SEA WOLF | C WALLER | J B MC DONALD (9) | 59.0 | $14 |
| 2 | x4939 | STAR OF THE SEAS | C WALLER | G BOSS (7) | 55.5 | $8 |
| 3 | 14x06 | NICOLETTA | K LEES | TOMMY BERRY (19) | 54.5 | $41 |
| 4 | 32x73 | EL DORADO DREAMING | K LEES | K MCEVOY (5) | 54.0 | $6 |
| 5 | 16832 | LOOKS LIKE ELVIS | BRYAN DAIS | B MC DOUGALL (16) | 53.5 | $26 |
| 6 | 54x25 | LUVALUVA | J SARGENT | TIM CLARK (6) | 53.0 | $5 |
| 7 | 1x757 | MILITARY ZONE | P & P SNOWDEN | A ADKINS (8) | 53.0 | $7.50 |
| 8 | 1x060 | SIR PLUSH | B BAKER | J R COLLETT (17) | 53.0 | $71 |
| 9 | 6x443 | NOBLE BOY | TODD BLOWES | BRODIE LOY (4) | 53.0 | $8 |
| 10 | 28x39 | GOODFELLA | B BAKER | G SCHOFIELD (13) | 53.0 | $51 |
| 11 | 56080 | JONKER | D ATKINS | BROCK RYAN (11) | 53.0 | $61 |
| 12 | 93034 | TESTASHADOW | G PORTELLI | 53.0 | ||
| 13 | 400x3 | TAIKOMOCHI | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | MS W COSTIN (3) | 52.0 | $34 |
| 14 | 61276 | ARTICUS | K LEES | A GIBBON (18) | 52.0 | $67 |
| 15 | 16x31 | QUACKERJACK | MARK NEWNHAM | MS R KING (14) | 52.0 | $6 |
| 16 | 98x52 | TAMARACK | J PRIDE | J FORD (20) | 52.0 | $71 |
| 17 | 12x71 | ASTERIUS | C WALLER | 52.0 | $19 | |
| 18 | 31042 | RANIER | JAMES CUMMINGS | MS K O'HARA (10) | 52.0 | $21 |
| 19 | x2861 | ESTEEM SPIRIT | G MARKWELL | 53.0 | $251 | |
| 20 | 01x71 | ALL BUT GONE | D LANE | S LISNYY (12) | 53.0 | $301 |
OVERVIEW
The inaugural running of the $1 million “The Gong” is here and has attracted a competitive capacity field. The Gong is the latest addition to the list of recent million-dollar provincial races, which included The Hunter last week. With favourite Luvaluva currently sitting at $5 in the market, any number of horses have the potential to win.
SPEED MAP
Overall tempo should be moderate despite the lack of many true leaders due to a number of on pace runners drawn towards the outside being likely to cross early. They will have to work hard to beat Taikomochi to the lead; drawn barrier in barrier 3 he should have no trouble finding an easy lead.
KEY RUNNERS
- EL DORADO DREAMING ($6)
It’s been nearly 600 days since El Dorado Dreaming’s last win but that’s not to say she has not run well during that time. More recently she has been racing somewhere near the top level and performing admirably. Last start was coming off a freshen and was strong to the line behind Reelem in Ruby over 1400m.
- LUVALUVA ($5)
Another runner who came out of the Hot Danish behind Reelem in Ruby; she finished fifth in that race but showcased the quickest final 200m split out of any runner. Prior to that chased the talented Greyworm home at Randwick. Should be fit enough here but may be better over further.
- NOBLE BOY ($8)
There are question marks over whether he will run the distance here but if he does, he looks like one of the main chances. Was solid first up in The Kosciuszko finishing 1.3L away from the winner, before putting in a similar run in the Goulburn Cup. Last start impressed at Flemington, finishing a narrow third behind Reykjavik in arguably the worst ground. Could be the x-factor here if he runs the 1600m.
BLUEY’S PICK
- EL DORADO DREAMING ($6)
This looks like a target race for the Lees trained mare and it could be the perfect way for her to break her winless drought. Loved how she hit the line in the Hot Danish and she should appreciate the jump to 1600m. Look for her to be hitting the line late.
