3 minute read

Racing and Sports look at the key stats and chances in the third edition of The Pinnacles.

Week 5 is here and just like that we reach the denouement of the 2024 edition of The Pinnacles.

The Gold Rush closes the curtain on what has been a thrilling month-and-a-bit of racing on the nation's western seaboard and boy, hasn't it lived right up to expectation!

Run under Weight For Age conditions over the Ascot 1400m, the TABtouch Gold Rush is one of the most lucrative Group 3 contests in the country. Boasting a $1.5 million purse, it sits second to the $2 million Sydney Stakes (1200m), and $500 000 above the Concorde Stakes (1000m), two key lead-ups to the Australia's richest race The Everest.

Despite being a Group 3, the Gold Rush takes similar a level of winning to the Group 1 Northerly Stakes, with the average winning range locked in tight with ratings of 112-114.

Gold Rush (1400m) - $1.5 million

It was the fairytale of all fairytales when Damien Oliver sliced through on Munhamek to take out last year's edition in his "final" race ride, a piece of commentary from Darren McCauley that will live long in the memory banks of racing enthusiasts.

Running to 114 on the Racing and Sports scale, Munhamek sits at the top end of the average winning range. While yes, it's still four or so lengths off the champ Takeover Target's 2008 success, I think it's fair to say he was a well-above average equine athlete.

While a horse's performance is usually quite a fluctuating factor, a race is far less so. Therefore, you can bet the winning rating will be within or fall awfully close to the range.

Favourite & R&S Highest Rated: Western Empire (115+)

This champion seven-year-old from the powerful G & A Williams fits the mould perfectly with a R&S rating of 115+. The + represents how fast Western Empire was finishing when saluting by a lip in the G3 Belmont Sprint in May, suggesting he could've won by further had he been ridden more efficiently. The stable has tried sprinting with him this preparation but the consensus at R&S is he's more of a miler. Race week has started poorly for WE with Willy Pike surrendering the ride due to a wrist injury (Billy Egan replaces), then drew 15 at the barrier draw. Despite being dealt a poor hand, he hits this third-up and a stack of ratings say he is well and truly talented enough to overcome the adversity.

Highest weight adjusted last start rating:

Hot Zed (115) – He was super in the Winterbottom Stakes when charging home to fill the frame at any old odds (100-1). Despite having a win at this distance, ratings suggest he's best placed at a sprinting trip.

Comfort Me (114) – The eight-year-old has returned in terrific form this prep and with his positive racing pattern is certainly one of the chances. Didn't give his rivals a sniff first-up when taking out the Eurythmic (1400m), holding off Super Smink by 1.1L. Matched his peak last start in the Railway Stakes when beaten just over half-a-length in third and was a placegetter in this race last year behind Munhamek & Ripcord. Will look to burn across from the wide draw and while there's no denying he will have to be at his best (and a touch more) to take this out, there's no reason he can't.

Magnificent Andy (114) – Is as consistent as they come and an absolute star of the Simon A Miller stable. His highest rated performances have come over this trip, directly correlating to the seven wins he boasts over 1400m, three of them at Ascot. Was one of the winners at the barrier draw and has the peaks to take this out.

Highest last start XR (expected R&S rating):

Western Empire (117) – Was well supported in the Group 1 Winterbottom two weeks ago. Had he been able to run to market expectation the R&S XR spits out an impressive 117. While this rating suggests he may have been over bet as they were expecting him to post a new peak, there is a sense of timing about this champion galloper and perhaps he does have more in the locker.

Super Smink (116) – There's no doubting this mare has gone to a new level this time in. She jumped equal favourite in the Northerly last week, thus the high XR. The way she has been able to progress this campaign explained why punters believed she could produce a new career peak but after settling behind Democracy Manifest (fair indication you're too far back) their faith quickly diminished. The sharp drop in trip on the short turnaround holds plenty of intrigue and she gets another good draw, hopefully they can utilise it this time.

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