Lightly raced Central Coast three-year-old Gustav, narrowly beaten on debut at Hawkesbury on March 9, is set to go one better at the Wine Country Race Club meeting on the Beaumont track on Monday. The Sara Ryan trained gelding will contest the Living Turf CG&E Maiden Plate (1200m) with Keagan Latham in the saddle.
Gustav was heavily backed from $7.50 into $4.60 at Hawkesbury and he would have won the 1100m maiden only for shifting out abruptly inside the 200 metres. He raced worse than midfield in a field of fourteen, and Latham had him in the clear halfway down the straight. Gustav made up many lengths before shifting out and going down by .42 of a length. The longer trip is ideal, and he can overcome a wide barrier.
Consistent Scone four-year-old Don’tcha Think can atone for a narrow defeat at Tamworth first up when he steps out in the Lees Racing Country Boosted Benchmark 66 Handicap (1150m). He carried 62 kilograms at Tamworth and was gallant in defeat going down by .60 of a length, albeit having every chance. Don’tcha Think was placed in his only start on this track and from the positive barrier he won’t be far off the speed. Trainer Stephen Jones has placed the son of So You Think very well after purchasing him for clients at an Inglis Yearling sale. Digger McLellan has the mount, and he was aboard when the gelding raced at Tamworth.
Newcastle mare Lovely Thoughts is set to continue on her winning way when she steps up in class to contest the New Era Technology Benchmark 58 Handicap (2100m). Trainer Jason Deamer has taken the four-year-old to the Mid North Coast for her past two starts, and she has won effortlessly in both at Taree and Tuncurry. Lovely Thoughts races on the speed and Ash Morgan who won on the mare at Taree has the mount. Morgan is currently fourth in the New South Wales Jockeys Premiership with 80.5 winners for the season.
Dylan Gibbons is riding at the meeting, and he teams up with his boss Kris Lees for his only two mounts. He rides first starter Pisa Cake an impressive trial winner in the Davali TBS Easter Yearlings F&M Maiden Plate (1200m). The daughter of Prized Icon was not extended to win a recent trial on this track. Gibbons, who completes his apprenticeship in July will also ride Corvalist for Lees in the Living Turf CG&E Maiden Plate (1200m). The four-year-old was placed in all four starts on country tracks last preparation and he resumes after two trials.