French import Singing is in tune to chase a hat trick of wins when he lines up in the Listed $150,000 Gosford Quarries Gold Cup (2100m) at Gosford on Thursday.
Singing, above in blue colours, is chasing a hat trick of wins when he lines up in the Gosford Gold Cup at Gosford. Photo by Steve Hart.
Singing won his first race on Australian soil since arriving at Kris Lees’ Newcastle stable when he took out a 2000m Class 6 at Doomben on December 9 and then repeated that effort with a win over 2200m on the same track in the $100,000 Magic Millions Shoot Out Quality on December 30.
Lees is happy with the way Singing has recovered from his trips to Queensland but is a little concerned that the Gosford track could be a bit firmer than what he experienced at Doomben.
“Obviously, it is some concern that the track won’t be as giving this time, but I’m really happy with Singing,” Lees said on his website, leesracing.com.au.
“He is in really good order. The trips to and from Queensland last month have certainly sparked him up.”
Singing has had a number of riders since arriving in Australia with Glyn Schofield taking over from Brisbane’s leading jockey Jeff Lloyd who was aboard the eight year old last start while Craig Newitt rode him to victory the start before.
“Glyn is a very good horseman, and I’m sure he will suit Singing,” Lees said.
Singing has drawn awkwardly at barrier nine in the ten horse field but that hasn’t stopped the punters who have forced his price in from $5.50 to be the $3.50 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au on race eve.
On the second line of betting at $4.40 is the locally trained Mighty Lucky who has drawn in the middle of the field at five with regular rider Chris O’Brien in the saddle again.
Mighty Lucky has just missed the placings at his last four starts but hasn’t been far off the pace and lines up in the Gosford Gold Cup coming off a last start fourth to the Chris Waller trained Montauk in the Group 3 $150,000 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on December 26.
Montauk, barrier three with Matthew Cahill to ride, is also well in commission at $6 and is one of six runners under the $10 mark in the ten horse field.