3 minute read

An intriguing contest between both Goodman and Cash Luck is set to take place in Sunday's Group 2 Chairman's Trophy with the up-and-comer tipped to come out on top.

Successful in recording his fifth victory from 10 career starts last time out, the son of Alamosa possesses few blemishes on his already impressive career and appears poised to take the next step on the weekend.

Though on trial at the trip Goodman has given all the right indications that it will pose little concern and if able to continue his upward spiral he is expected to be right in the finish.

While clearly no match for War Affair during the three-year-old series, his performances still had plenty of merit and has since gone on to notch up two dominant victories.

Successful in recording a new career peak over the 1400m journey last start the Laurie Laxon trained galloper now does appear set to relish the step up to nine furlongs.

A notable third placing in the Singapore Guineas behind War Affair, Goodman has always displayed plenty of promise and while making the step up to weight-for-age he does appear capable of giving Laxon his fourth victory in the feature event (Hoeberg in 2002, Mount Street in 2006 and Top Spin in 2008).

The time figures out of his latest victory were some of the strongest he has produced to date and while he has been up for a long time he is clearly racing in career best form.

The David Kok trained Cash Luck is the clear benchmark in this event having already proven himself at the top level in Singapore.

His victory in the Group 3 Moonbeam Vase sets a fairly solid standard for this event and if Goodman is to prove successful he is required to record a new career peak.

Though this remains the case, Goodman looked to have won with a fair bit in hand last start and is expected to make that necessary improvement required to win on the weekend.

With only Stepitup drawn outside him on the weekend, Brown is expected to roll forward on Goodman and settle right up on the speed, much similar to that of his recent efforts.

Although there does look to be decent speed engaged, Goodman is expected to take up the running as his early sectionals in the Singapore Guineas proved quite strong and if able to replicate similar over the longer journey it's hard to see him taken on for the lead.

Both Cash Luck and Wild Geese are expected to settle just off the speed with the Desmond Koh trained City Lad also likely to be not that far away.

Given it still remains to be seen whether he will stay the nine furlongs, if allowed to dictate freely in front there is no question he possesses the best turn of foot of any galloper in the field.

Thus all Corey Brown requires is one cheap sectional and Goodman should prove very hard to run down in the straight.

As mentioned previously Cash Luck sets a pretty solid standard for this event and if able to produce a career peak performance he does appear very hard to beat.

Set to resume from almost a four month break the son of Bradbury's Luck was given a fairly solid trial mid-week and all does appear in order for Sunday's event.

He has placed in three of six fresh and has placed in three of four over this trip including two victories, the most recent being two starts back.

From the gun draw he looks to settle just off Goodman and if the latter does prove vulnerable over the staying trip expect Cash Luck to take full advantage.

On career best form Cash Luck does rate on top on Timeform ratings and hence has to be respected, though the slight query remains whether he can defeat the fit up-and-comer.

The Stephen Burridge trained Wild Geese returned to near his career best last start and does appear set to relish the step up in trip on Sunday.

Having only been narrowly beaten behind Gold Rutile last start the son of Exceed And Excel is rarely far off the mark and must be respected.

The inform Manoel Nunes sticks aboard having placed in three of five prior attempts aboard the five-year-old and from the fair draw he is expected to position up just off the speed.

He has placed in seven of his last 14 starts and if able to hold his form he is expected to be right around the mark on Sunday.

The talented but also unlucky Stepitup appears the next best following his eye catching performance in the Singapore Derby last start.

The fact he has again suffered the fate of drawing the outside stall does appear the biggest blow to his chances as while capable he is likely to be spotting both Goodman and Cash Luck a fair start on straightening.

If able to position up closer to the speed then he is likely to be right around the mark however the fact remains how far back will he get to in the run.

Good luck and happy punting.