The Gong is the feature event at Kembla Grange this Saturday on a fantastic card of racing. With millions of dollars in prizemoney up for grabs, who will reign supreme in Wollongong? The stand-alone meeting is a must for all punters and racing fans.
Kembla Grange Race 7
#2 Bruckner
Despite not racing for 12 months, I am prepared to promote Bruckner. He was only beaten by Home Affairs in the 2021 edition of The Coolmore. He has had a nice jumpout coming into this, and I reckon he will be cherry ripe first up. Watch betting late.
The speedy Malkovich will look the winner for the majority of the race. He tends to get the wobbles in the shadows of the post, and he may be a sitting duck late. A dry track would be an advantage.
Dragonstone can be thereabouts third up from a spell.
Suggested Bet: Bruckner @ $7.50
kembla grange RACE 8
#4 Rustic Steel
What a great race! The Gong is undoubtedly now a permanent fixture of the spring carnival.
Rustic Steel looks well placed after winning The Big Dance impressively. He is rock-hard fit, does his best racing over a mile, and is drawn to get the ideal run. The Kris Lees stable is airborne, and I expect the son of Deep Field to be in the finish. He is excellent each-way value.
Promise of Success looks over the odds. Her run at Flemington last start was ok, and she has form around Icebath prior. Watch for her late!
Old Flame will start favourite after an impressive win at Flemington on Derby Day. Barrier 19 is the only concern.
Suggested Bet: Rustic Steel @ $9.00
Kembla Range Race 9
#4 nugget
The lightly raced six-year-old Nugget looks hard to beat here. In his Australian debut, he was brave on top of the speed, and I expect him to be fitter second up. He has an outstanding record over the mile, and I won’t be surprised to see a big push for him in the market.
If Steely doesn’t get a run in The Gong, he can be competitive in this race. He won the event last year, and outside of the favourite Nugget, this year’s edition looks very thin.
Honeycreeper can bounce back after a rare flop, while Blaze A Trail looks over the odds from an inside draw.
Suggested Bet: Nugget @ $3.50
Kembla Grange Race 10
#1 Cavalier Charles
Cavalier Charles can run a great race at good odds despite drawing poorly. He flew from the clouds last start at Randwick, and I expect him to be storming home down the long Kembla Grange straight.
Ma And Pa can lead them a merry dance if he is ridden positively from the gate. He looked sharp first up for his new stable over 1200m, and don’t be surprised if he peaks Saturday.
Mach Schnell excels over 1400m. He was great first up at Randwick over 1200m, and he will have supporters being second up over 1400m.
Suggested Bet: Cavalier Charles @ $12.00
