2017 Prime Minister’s Cup Day is the standout race day on the Gold Coast each year and the eight races slated for Saturday’s edition of the card have attracted typically outstanding fields.
Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat will step out in Saturday’s Group 2 Hollindale Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart
Some of the most exciting prospects of the forthcoming Brisbane Winter Carnival are slated to make an appearance at the Gold Coast on Saturday, but we have analysed every runner in detail in order to help you find a winner on 2017 Prime Minister’s Cup Day.
Race 1 (11:50am) Bat Out Of Hell Handicap (900m)
A 900m sprint opens Saturday’s outstanding card on the Gold Coast and some of Queensland’s best short-course specialists are due to step out. Black type winner Hidden Pearl (barrier 7) will contest the race first-up, flies fresh and has trialled well in the lead-up to her return. Charcoal Melody (barrier 12) faces a big step up in class into the Bat Out Of Hell Handicap, but she is seeking a fourth-consecutive race win an is a live chance at odds. The partnership of trainer Tony Edmonds and jockey Jeff Lloyd has heralded some outstanding results this season and the pair will team up with the ideally-drawn Prompt Return (barrier 4) in this race.
Tip: No. 2 Prompt Return ($3.20)
Race 2 (12:25pm) Attwood Marshall Lawyers BM90 (1200m)
Twelve horses remain in contention for race 2 following the scratching of leading contender Divine Centuri and the race is open from a betting perspective. Irish Constabulary (barrier 5) has built perfectly into this race and he appears as though he will hit peak form. With Jeff Lloyd in the saddle, the Flying Spur gelding should prove extremely tough to beat from his draw. Mr Favulous (barrier 7) could receive the run of the race from his central draw and is another horse who carries strong form after placing third in the Listed Ascot Quality (1200m) on April 22nd. Former Group 1 placegetter Cornrow (barrier 8) will return to the races on Saturday and has the luxury of a light weight.
Tip: No. 11 Cornrow – Each Way ($21/$5.60)
Race 3 (1:00pm) Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m)
The first black type race of the day has drawn an exciting field of fourteen two-year-olds. John Zielke saddled Royal Tithe to a smart win in the race in 2016 and is offered a great opportunity to defend his crown with Ruby Red Heart (barrier 14). Several Sydney stables will have representatives in this race, including the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Taking Aim (barrier 1) and Godolphin colt Regent (barrier 8), who are both live chances of winning. Champ Elect arguably leads the chances of the local contingent, but he has been charged with overcoming the wide and awkward barrier 13.
Tip: No. 3 Regent ($4.80)
Race 4 (1:40pm) Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m)
A capacity field of fourteen three-year-old fillies is set to start the Gold Coast Bracelet; the second-last stop on the traditional path towards the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m). Candika carries winning form into the race by has been charged with overcoming a wide draw, while leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller is offered two good chances in the form of Invincibella (barrier 3) and Dawn Wall (barrier 15). Fallacy was last seen running third behind subsequent Australian Oaks runner-up Perfect Rhyme in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) and is well placed in this race.
Tip: No. 9 Fallacy – Each Way ($11/$3.40)
Race 5 (2:20pm) Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (1400m)
The time-honoured Prime Minister’s Cup has drawn a classy and open field and there is subsequently plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective. Godolphin sprinter Federal is arguably the class horse of this field, is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run a fortnight ago and will be tough to beat under the conditions of this race, with luck from a wide draw. The Chris Waller-trained Religify is a proven performer in races similar to this and has drawn ideally into the Prime Minister’s Cup in barrier 5, with the notable advantage of Hugh Bowman in the saddle. Veteran Steel Zip (barrier 11) could run a cheeky race with only 54.5kgs in tow.
Tip: No. 3 Federal ($3.30)
Race 6 (3:00pm) Listed Silk Stocking (1200m)
The Silk Stocking is not the feature race at the Gold Coast on Saturday, but the talented field suggests that it is one of the day’s more highly-anticipated races. Madotti (barrier 15) was last seen savaging the line for a comfortable win in the Magic Millions Quality (1300m) and is a proven first-up performer, while there is cases to be made for interstate raiders Nancy (barrier 2) and Savoureux (barrier 1). Sold For Song (barrier 16) loves racing on the Gold Coast and if she can overcome a wide an awkward draw, has the class to win this race at good odds.
Tip: No. 4 Sold For Song – Each Way ($11/$3.60)
Race 7 (3:40pm) Group 2 AD Hollindale Stakes (1800m)
One of the strongest Hollindale Stakes fields in recent history has been confirmed and we are set for an outstanding feature race on the Gold Coast. Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat has reportedly relished his time between runs and will leave from the ideal barrier 3, while Sense Of Occasion is set to continue his career-best form through the race from a wide draw. McCreery (barrier 5), Maurus (barrier 8) and Articus would all not look out of place winning this race, while the local contingent is well represented in live chances Cylinder Beach (barrier 4), Rudy (barrier 7) and Weetwood Handicap winner Col ‘n’ Lil (barrier 2).
Tip: No. 6 Maurus – Each Way ($12/$3.70)
Race 8 (4:16pm) Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m)
Won by subsequent Group 1 champion Takedown in 2016, the Gold Coast Guineas has again attracted a bumper field this year. Attention (barrier 14) and Tactical Advantage (barrier 7) were both strong and consistent performers through the recent Autumn Carnival and represent terrific value at their current quotes, while Godolphin colt Tessera could receive the run of the race from the ideal barrier 3. Plenty of hype surrounded Tiyatrolani (barrier 2) last winter and the filly appears perfectly placed in the Gold Coast Guineas field.
Tip: No. 1 Attention ($7)
