GOLD COAST WRAP WITH LADBROKES’ TOM HACKETT

WINNERS

■ Citrain (Race 2)

She got a bit tired in the final stages of the race but the halfsister to Ef Troop never looked like losing this race. Brooke Ainsworth took the contest by the scruff of the neck and pinched a big break at the top of the straight. There was no better ride on the entire card.

■ Mr Boombastic (Race 3)

Mr Boombastic was a slight drifter in betting ($6 out to $7.50) but he clearly relished the heavy track and he was nothing short of dominant. He was strong to the line and he will be extremely tough to beat when Alicia Willick steps him up in trip.

■ Eljetem (Race 7)

The on-pacers looked as though they would fight out the finish but Eljetem exploded in the final 100m to record a fast-finishing victory right on the line. Three of his four wins have now come on a wet track and there is no doubt that he enjoyed the heavy going.

LOSERS

■ Nooks And Crannies (Race 1)

He wasn’t disgraced behind Mystic Mist in the opening race of the day but that didn’t mean much to punters who backed him as if he was unbeatable. He ended up starting at $1.55 and he clearly didn’t let down as well as favourite-backers hoped. Mystic Mist always looked to have him covered.

■ Excelebrazione (Race 6)

Excelebrazione was given an absolute peach of a ride from Nathan Day and looked as though he had the race won with 200m left to run but he couldn’t respond when challenged by Dixyville. He has now has just one win from 11 races after promising plenty at the start of his career.

NEXT TIME

■ Heart Of Toorak (Race 2)

It is fair to say that the excellent ride from Brooke Ainsworth on Citrain was all that denied Heart Of Toorak victory. Jason Taylor was forced to settle him at the tail of the field after he missed the start and the Toorak Toff gelding was simply left with too much work to do in the straight after Citrain pinched the break.

■ Star Stiletto (Race 7)

He had to do plenty of work early and Flaming Aces didn’t give him any peace, which ensured that they went very quick early. Despite this, he was still able to tough it out to the line and looked like the winner before Eljetem flew home late.

BIG BETS

Race 1

Nooks And Crannies .............. 2nd

$4000 @ $1.60 Race 2

Supernormal .......................... 3rd $1000 @ $4.40

Race 3

Escapado ................................ 3rd

$2300 @ $4.40 Race 4

Hidden Light ........................ Won

$1000 @ $3.60 Race 5

Godzone Girl .......................... 8th

$1000 @ $3.40 Race 6

Dixyville ................................ Won

$1065 @ $7.50 Race 7

Denbern ................................. 4th

$3500 @ $2.80 Race 8

Miss Severina ......................... 6th

$1900 @ $3.60

■ Don’t miss Tom Hackett’s Gold Coast preview each Saturday