She's Gifted Set For Gosford Showdown

ANY fears trainers Peter and Jodie Lagogiane had about their gun sprinter Beast Unleashed returning to his brilliant best following a career threatening injury were quickly allayed at Gosford on Sunday night following his slashing Gosford Gold Cup heat success.

Stepping out for just his second start since breaking down in the final of the Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic at Wentworth Park in June, the son of Barcia Bale, winner of the Group 2 Launching Pad at Sandown Park in March, was simply outstanding in the second Gosford Cup qualifier on Sunday, running a phenomenal 28.90, the first chaser to lower the 29 second time-standard at the circuit.

The first heat of the $40,000 to-the-winner series, the final to be run on a bumper program of racing on New Year's Day, went the way of Federal Lilly for Morgan Fenwick-Benjes, the daughter of Dyna Double One coming from off the pace in the early stages to score by 3 ¾ lengths over Sky Wave in 29.49.

Winner at 10 of her 32 starts and winner of the Ladbrokes Young Stars Final at Wentworth Park on Million Dollar Chase Final night, Federal Lilly couldn't have been more impressive in Sunday's heat and whilst posting the slowest time of the four qualifiers, can no doubt go quicker.

Victorian star She's Gifted made a one act affair of heat three of the Cup Series, leading all-the-way in a slick 29.01.

Improving off her win at the track the Tuesday prior, where she felt her way around the Gosford circuit posting a sizzling 29.21, the daughter of Fabregas, third in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup just three runs back, defeated Nangar Ace by six lengths in Sunday's heat romp and is one of the major players heading into next Tuesday's final despite drawing box six.

The fourth and final qualifier Sunday went the way of Cosmic Bonus for trainer Evelyn Harris, the son of Cosmic Rumble's Cup defence right on track by way of his slashing 29.16 heat win, defeating fellow finalist Who's Got Class by 3 ¾ lengths.

Justifying his even money favourite-tag, Cosmic Bonus landed an astonishing 41^st race victory, with back-to-back  Gosford Cup successes right on track.

Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Gosford Gold Cup

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

1. Who's Got Class
2. Nangar Ace
3. Sky Wave
4. Beast Unleashed
5. Federal Lilly
6. She's Gifted
7. Cosmic Bonus
8. Champion Model
9. Duel Keroma
10. Zipping Falcon