The Gong 2024 free preview & betting tips | Saturday, November 23

The sixth renewal of The Gong (1600m) headlines the action at Kembla Grange Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, with a capacity field of 16 set to line up in the $1 million feature.

After claiming victory with Detonator Jack 12 months ago, the Ciaron Maher barn returns with four more contenders in an attempt to go back-to-back. Can he become the first trainer with multiple wins in The Gong? Or is there an upset brewing in the Illawarra?

2024 The Gong odds

After a dominant win in the Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on November 5, it’s no surprise horse racing bookmakers have installed Gringotts as the $5.50 favourite. He’s joined by Territory Express on the second line of betting at $6.00, while Waterford ($8.50) and Steparty ($9.00) round out the chances holding single figures after connections elected to scratch the latter from the Cranbourne Cup (1600m) on the same day.

2024 The Gong speed map

There doesn’t appear to be much speed engaged in this year’s edition of The Gong, with Converge and Lion’s Roar likely to spear forward. Outside of the pair, Osipenko led against his own pattern last time out, so don’t expect him to be firing out of the gates, while the likes of Steparty and Waterford should land in the ideal stalking positions. Tommy Berry will likely head forward to take luck out of the equation from gate 16, while Territory Express will be his own worst enemy once again towards the rear of the field.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 The Gong.

The Gong 2024 preview & form

Although he’s becoming a costly commodity, Territory Express gets one more chance to deliver on what’s been a promising campaign. He should’ve won with even luck in the Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill on November 9, held up behind a wall of horses as he flashed home to get within 1.5 lengths of Pericles. Jason Collett will have the task of motivating the five-year-old gelding from the back of the field, and provided he can produce his electrifying best, Territory Express should be considered the one to beat in The Gong.

The $9.00 available for Steparty on BlondeBet is too good to ignore. He’s on the one-week back up after contesting the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and never shirked the task to get within two lengths of Kimochi. Gate four should allow Blaike McDougall to land in the one-one, and although the mile is a slight query, punters should be willing to find out at the price.

Lekvarte comes through a strong edition of the Group 1 Empire Rose (1600m) on November 2 and warrants plenty of respect heading back to NSW. She was a dominant winner in the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) prior to that, and if she can replicate that effort, the $11.00 available on Picklebet will seem too big.

The Gong 2024 selections & best bets

• 3
  

  TERRITORY EXPRESS

• 11
  

  STEPARTY

• 9
  

  LEKVARTE

• 1
  

  GRINGOTTS

Horse racing tips