The Gold Rush 2023 betting preview & tips | Saturday, December 16

What	Damien Oliver Gold Rush
Where	Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104
When	Saturday, December 16, 2023
Prizemoney	$1,500,000
Distance	1400m
Conditions	Weight For Age
2022 winner	The Astrologist (5) \| T: Leon & Troy Corstens \| J: William Pike (59kg)
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The second edition of The Gold Rush will headline the nine-race card at Ascot Racecourse this Saturday afternoon. After The Astrologist claimed the inaugural edition of The Gold Rush for the interstate representatives, the locals have several hopes in this year’s event. With only three interstate runners accepting for the $1.5 million contest, Western Australia has a massive chance to claim victory in one of its biggest races during the summer carnival.

The Gold Rush 2023 odds

Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr have taken Ayrton across the Nullarbor to compete in The Gold Rush, where he is the bookmakers’ favourite at +380. Both Super Smink and Munhamek are on the second line of betting at +450, while Ripcord and Valour Road share the third line at +600. After claiming their first Group 1 wins in recent weeks, Bustler and Dom To Shoot are both given a chance at +1000.

The Gold Rush 2023 speed map

Savatoxl and Baby Paris are expected to burn along at the front of the field, with the likes of Red Can Man, Comfort Me and Massimo settling in behind them from inside barriers. With a big field of 16 engaged, a three-wide running line should be prevalent, with Valour Road, Dome To Shoot and My Bella Mae expected to settle out there from wide gates. Munhamek, Hot Zed, Ayrton and Ripcord will be towards the rear of the field, enjoying a solid tempo.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Damien Oliver Gold Rush.

The Gold Rush 2023 preview & form

Munhamek ran in some strong form races throughout the spring, with his third-place finish in the Group 2 Damien Oliver two starts back a clear standout. The son of Dark Angel was on the inside rail and was disappointed for a run multiple times before getting out at the 100m mark to flash home. There shouldn’t be as many problems on Saturday with Damien Oliver in the saddle when he jumps from barrier 17, as he should be in clear air on the outside of runners. With even luck and a strong finishing burst in the final 300m, Munhamek can send Ollie out a winner.

After finishing an unlucky fifth in this race last year, Red Can Man represents great each-way value in the 2023 edition. The Steve Wolfe-trained gelding has finished in the top four in three of his four starts this time in, and his last-start fourth in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes was very good. With the experienced Paul Harvey in the saddle, this son of Gingerbread Man should find a perfect spot midfield from barrier eight and gain an economical run throughout.

Simon Miller’s eight-year-old warhorse Valour Road comes in to this after taking out the Listed Lee Steere Classic last start. This son of Frost Giant has finished in the top two in each of his three starts since returning from a long layoff, and he should be peaking fourth-up. Barrier 16 is the worry, as he will most likely push forward and be forced to race three wide.

Ripcord is enjoying an outstanding three-year-old campaign, claiming the Listed Placid Ark Stakes before running home strongly to finish third in the Winterbottom Stakes. The Luke Fernie-trained gelding possesses a lethal turn of foot, as shown in his breathtaking win in the Placid Ark. Clint Johnston-Porter knows this youngster well, and if he lets down with a similar finishing burst to his most recent starts, Ripcord will make his presence felt.