GOSFORD trainer Adam Duggan is banking on a home track advantage tomorrow helping dual venue acceptor Peak clinch a Provincial-Midway Championships Final berth.
Duggan has opted to run the former Hong Kong gelding in the PMC Qualifier (1200m) rather than the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap over the same distance, and close friend Andrew Gibbons has the mount.
The first two placegetters will gain starts in the $1m Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.
“I’m under no illusions about the Gosford race, but I’ve been waiting to get Peak on to a smaller track,” Duggan said this morning.
“Andrew gave him a 10 out of 10 ride last time, and Peak had his chance to win (when third in a Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1250m at Newcastle on February 18).
“But he is going well enough to have a crack at the Qualifier, especially being on his home digs.
“Hopefully Peak can settle midfield, and Andrew can keep sneaking runs to give him his chance in the straight:”
Eight-year-old Peak has raced only once at Gosford before going to Hong Kong, when prepared by Team Hawkes at Rosehill and third in a Class 2 Handicap (1000m) in October 2019.
Peak carried 60.5kg in his latest Newcastle placing, and drops 4.5kg.
Duggan ran Diamond Diesel in two PMC Qualifiers last year. Another ex-Hong Kong eight-year-old gelding, Diamond Diesel ran sixth in the Gosford heat and ninth at Wyong (1350m) before striking form with a vengeance, winning three of his next four starts, including the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm in June on heavy ground.
“Diamond Diesel is back in work, and will be ready to trial in about a month,” Duggan said.
“I gave him a good break with a plan to bring him back in late autumn and into the winter with the hope that he will be racing on rain-affected ground.”
Another dual venue acceptor The Extreme Cat, for Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle, is also most likely heading to the Gosford Qualifier first-up rather than the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap at Rosehill.
“Nathan always planned to run the gelding at Gosford, but accepted for Rosehill as well as insurance,” Doyle’s racing manager David Dyson said.
“The Extreme Cat is 90 per cent certain to contest the Qualifier.
“When he drew the inside barrier at Gosford, that made it hard to pass up.”
Nick Heywood will ride The Extreme Cat, who has trialled well twice in preparation for his resumption.
With Dylan Gibbons aboard, the former Victorian five-year-old, who now races in the Australian Bloodstock colours, easily win a 1000m Open heat on the Beaumont track on March 5.
The scratchings of General Salute and Kris Lees’ pair Miss Busslinger and Lutetia have reduced the field to 14, with Wyong trainer Kim Waugh’s Mogul Monarch (Anna Roper) dominating betting as a $2.90 favorite.
The Capitalist three-year-old scored first-up at home on February 13 before finishing a gallant close second (with 59kg, 3kg more than he has tomorrow) to Catch The Glory in a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) at Randwick on March 1, after drawing awkwardly.
. The Extreme Cat’s stablemate Harlem Queen goes to Rosehill first-up in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m), and has James McDonald aboard.
The talented filly powered home when second to unbeaten stablemate Private Harry in a Broadmeadow course proper 900m Open trial on March 5.
Story John Curtis, March 14, 2025
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