For the second time in as many weeks, provincial racing takes centre stage in New South Wales on Saturday and The Gong headlines an exciting program at Kembla Grange.
To be fair, the first edition of this race left a lot to be desired, but The Gong has attracted a genuinely impressive field this year, rich with the likes of Cascadian, Rock, Brandenburg and Dawn Passage.
The Gong – Winner
No. 4 Rock – Bet Now: $6.50
I might be his biggest fan, but it remains true that Rock is a genuine Group 1 horse, and he can record a consolation win in The Gong on Saturday.
The Pierro gelding tuned up with a credible performance for fifth in the Group 2 Tramway at Randwick, before returning what I still think was one of the Spring Carnival’s best and most dominant performances in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap.
He flew home from the tail of the field to finish a credible seventh in the Epsom Handicap and was last seen filling the minors in the Cantala Stakes, and a repeat of that effort would see him winning this.
The Gong – 2nd
No. 11 Purple Sector – Bet Now: $5.50
Purple Sector has returned to the races in career-best form this time, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish of The Gong.
The Pins gelding finished second in BM88 company at Rosehill when resuming and hasn’t looked back, wining the Spring Mile at Randwick before recording a hit-and-run win in the Listed Cup Day Plate at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
He looks to be at peak fitness for this contest, he gets in well under the conditions and is drawn to receive a lovely run from barrier 5.
The Gong – 3rd
No. 7 Dawn Passage – Bet Now: $5.00
Dawn Passage has returned two competitive efforts back from a spell and is ready to peak third-up in The Gong.
The four-year-old son of Dawn Approach went to another level last time in, winning three races in succession, all features, before ending his prep seventh in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, just two lengths from the winner.
He kept his best work for late when resuming in the Silver Eagle, filled the minors in the Golden Eagle last time out and will have options on Saturday from the rails draw.
The Gong – 4th
No. 6 Brandenburg – Bet Now: $20.00
He hasn’t shown a lot this time in, but we know how good Brandenburg can be, and I’m happy to give him one last chance in The Gong.
The Burgundy entire was excellent during his three-year-old season and was unlucky not to record a Group 1 win; placing in the Randwick Guineas and the Doncaster Mile most notably.
His second-up performance for third behind subsequent Epsom Handicap champion Probabeel this time was quite good, and he has finished midfield in the Epsom and the Golden Eagle in the wake.
With the right run, he’s definitely capable of fighting out the finish of The Gong.
The Gong Suggested Bets
- 2 Units straight out #4 Rock
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections above