3 minute read

Lightly-raced galloper Brave The Way can bring up his biggest career win in today's Carlton Mid Coffs Harbour Gold Cup (race 7).

Prepared on the Gold Coast by Alan Bailey, Brave The Way has a nice weight and draw and looks a top each-way chance at the odds on offer.

Last campaign the son of Falbrev broke through third-up over 1800m on the Gold Coast where he was ridden in the box seat by Glen Colless and proved too classy.

He then stepped up to 2020m for the first time but drew off the track at Doomben and after covering ground and getting well back he ran on well for a solid fifth.

Last start before a spell, over 2100m at Doomben, he sat closer in the run form an inside gate but after turning third just didn't run out the trip, fading to finish sixth before a spell.

It would be unlikely Bailey will run the gelding over that sort of distance again with his best coming at a mile to 1800m.

Fresh-up this time in he raced over 1500m at Eagle Farm with 58kg and barrier 14.

Settling well back he hit the line well for a three-quarter length third behind Ruse de Guerre.

Last start, over 1615m at Doomben, he had the claim for Timothy Bell and after settling worse than midfield ran on strongly to finish a three-quarter length second behind Sophie's Spirit.

He is fitter for the two runs back now and carries just 54.5kg as leading rider Glen Colless goes back aboard.

He has drawn well in barrier four and has missed the placings just once from six starts at the trip.

Southern Shimmer has been flying lately and is looking to improve on his unbeaten record at Coffs Harbour.

Prepared by Ross Stitt at Taree, he was a second-up winner over 1400m then scored over a mile at Grafton.

He then won the Wagga Guineas after coming from second last before stepping up to 2000m at Randwick where he made ground but could manage only seventh.

Last start, back to 1514m here off a let-up, he was too good coming from midfield to score by three-quarters of a length with a fair bit in hand.

He carries the same weight today but does meet a tougher field and has drawn wide.

But he's two from two at the course and distance, is fitter and has a big finish, so should be hard to hold out again.

The topweight Silent Movie goes up in the weights but does drop in class for today's race.

Two starts ago the gelding was a fast finishing winner over a mile with this weight on the Sunshine Coast before tackling the Listed Tatts Mile at Eagle Farm.

Settling midfield he hit the line hard but was in turn grabbed and beaten by Work The Room, who is odds-on in town this weekend.

Silent Movie has drawn well today and on his last two runs should be in the finish.

Gazza Guru won the South Grafton Cup last start and will be fitter again.

He'll be each-way odds after drawing wide but will be running on strongly.