Only Seven In 2016 Gosford Gold Cup Field

The 2016 Gosford Gold Cup field has been released and only seven horses are set to contest the Listed event on Friday afternoon.

Telepathic is one of two Chris Waller-trained horses in the 2015 Gosford Gold Cup. Photo by: Steve Hart

Telepathic is one of two Chris Waller-trained horses in the 2015 Gosford Gold Cup. Photo by: Steve Hart

Chris Waller won the 2013 edition of the Gosford Cup with Moriarty and he has included both Telepathic and Dance Of Heroes in the acceptances for this year’s race.

Telepathic recorded impressive wins in the Skyla’s Screamer Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens in November 14 and Listed ATC Cup (2000m) at the same venue on November 28, but she could finish no better than sixth in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on December 12 and she was very flat in the December Handicap (1600m) on Boxing Day.

Dance Of Heroes is set to make his debut at Listed level after a lengthy campaign that was highlighted by a narrow victory over Quick Strike in the AMWU National Handicap (1700m) at Rosehill Gardens on October 31.

The only other trainer with multiple horses in the 2016 Gosford Cup field is Gai Waterhouse, who has both Kontiki Dane and Pheidon in the $150,000 race.

Kontiki Dane has been a consistent performer since she returned to the races with a second place finish behind Nancy in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1400m) at Warwick Farm on October 5 and she earnt an opportunity at Listed level after she scored a narrow victory in the More Than Ready At Vinery Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens on December 19.

Pheidon took out the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) as a three-year-old, but he has been unable to replicate that form this preparation and he produced poor efforts in the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 28, the Villiers Stakes and the December Handicap.

Another horse in the 2016 Gosford Cup field that has come out of the December Handicap is Joe Pride-trained Destiny’s Kiss, who returned to the races with an impressive third in the $85,000 race.

Destiny’s Kiss has not recorded a race win since he took out the Dunkirk Handicap (1600m) at Warwick Farm in April of 2014, but he has previously performed well in the Gosford Cup.

The 2016 Gosford Gold Cup field is rounded out by imported stayer Award Season and Gregory Hickman-trained Dream Folk.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.