Gold Trail Fancied In Group One
- Wednesday, 30 December 2009 07:34
Sydney sprinter Gold Trail remains a leading contender with punters on both sides of the Tasman for the Group One Railway Stakes at Ellerslie despite drawing barrier 17 in the New Year's Day feature.
The Gary Portelli-trained five-year-old, who will race as A Gold Trail, will be attempting his first win over 1200 metres and if he proves he can run it out strongly he will stay for the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham in late January.
New Zealand's reigning Horse of the Year, Mufhasa, was at $4.50 on the NZ TAB on Wednesday ahead of Beautiful Girl at $5 and A Gold Trail at $6.50.
TAB Sportsbet had Mufhasa at $4.80 with Beautiful Girl and A Gold Trail both at $5.50.
The Stephen McKee-trained Mufhasa ran fifth in the 2009 Railway before going on to win the Telegraph Handicap.
Gold Trail has won six races, all over 1100 metres, including his most recent start, the Group Two Shorts at Randwick in October.
Portelli has kept him up to the mark with three barrier trials in recent weeks, all of which he has won.
"He is close to the top of his game and if he is going to run 1200 metres, it could be now," Portelli said.
Gold Trail is also Group One-placed over 1100 metres having run third to Nicconi in the Galaxy earlier this year.
Picture - Sportpix
