Monmore Race 9

Ladbrokes Gold Cup (Semi Final 3)

Prize Money: $1,437

SLINGSHOT POPPY (4) is progressing well with another good run last time, placing (28.69) from Box 5 at Monmore. Can go on with it. BALLYMAC BLANCO (3) beaten last start over the 480m at Monmore but finished in the minors in a respectable 28.90. Expecting another bold showing. AVARUA ZLATAN (1) comes here off a placing in swift time (28.81) over 480m at Monmore. Smart time latest and looks a key chance on that form. GROUCHOS GREGOR (2) gave nothing else a chance most recently. Hard to beat again.

Distance: 480m
Track: Good
Weather: -
Surface: All Weather
Class: OR1

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Avarua Zlatan (1) 1251611143
Trainer: R P Rees (Hove)
Prize Money: $18,434
Win / Place: 20% / 60%

3 yo BDL D

Sire: PESTANA (IRE)

Dam: KILARA COAST (GB)

Rating

Stats

Career

69: 14-19-9

Distance

13: 3-4-2

Season

14: 5-2-2

Metro

59: 13-16-7

Country

10: 1-3-2

1st Up

3: 1-1-0

2nd Up

3: 1-1-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
2	7	5	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4
STARTS	24	25	14	6
1st	5	7	2	0
2nd	8	7	2	2
3rd	2	4	3	0

Comments

Unplaced two runs back then made impressive progress last time to finish third over 480m at Monmore. Racing well enough to play a big role.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 6	8/8/26	Monmore	480m	3	0:28.81	60.0 km/h	3.3L	$10	0:28.55	0:28.45		$1,389	$144	14	1. Goldcash Warrior 2. Slingshot Poppy 3. Avarua Zlatan
4th of 6	25/7/26	Hove	515m	4	0:30.31	61.2 km/h	1.6L	$23	0:30.18	0:30.17	OR1	$1,344	$144	7	1. Smokestack Saxon 2. Raebella Bullet 3. Droopys Graph
1st of 6	18/7/26	Hove	515m	2	0:30.18	61.4 km/h	0.8L	$2.90	0:30.18	0:29.76	OR1	$1,296	$576	7	1. Avarua Zlatan 2. Yougo Freddie 3. Westwood Shay
1st of 5	11/7/26	Hove	500m	2	0:29.29	61.5 km/h	3.5L	$2.80	0:29.29	0:29.29	OR	$1,075	$576	14	1. Avarua Zlatan 2. Rapido Benji 3. Jacktavern Chief
1st of 6	27/6/26	Central Park	491m	1	0:28.87	61.2 km/h	8.3L	$5.50	0:28.87	0:28.72	OR3	$1,919	$960	7	1. Avarua Zlatan 2. Lets Go Johnny 3. Ballymac Kobe
6th of 6	20/6/26	Central Park	277m	3	0:16.63	60.0 km/h	8.2L	$21	0:15.96	0:15.96	OR1	$1,592	$187	7	1. Shadow Storm 2. Pavilion Team 3. King Luther

Grouchos Gregor (2) 4111341451
Trainer: K Wilton (Nottingham)
Prize Money: $12,730
Win / Place: 42% / 68%

2 yo BLU D

Sire: BALLYMAC COOPER (IRE)

Dam: BALLYMAC WISDOM (IRE)

Rating

Stats

Career

19: 8-0-5

Distance

7: 2-0-2

Season

15: 7-0-4

Metro

11: 5-0-2

Country

8: 3-0-3

1st Up

2: 2-0-0

2nd Up

2: 1-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
0	2	6	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4
STARTS	3	5	9	2
1st	1	1	5	1
2nd	0	0	0	0
3rd	1	3	0	1

Comments

Good effort to score last start by 2.25 lengths over 480m at Monmore in 28.69, beating Headford Dane. Expected to run well again.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
1st of 6	8/8/26	Monmore	480m	1	0:28.69	60.2 km/h	2.3L	$4.33	0:28.69	0:28.45		$1,389	$670	20	1. Grouchos Gregor 2. Headford Dane 3. Zenith Jimbombom
1st of 2	1/8/26	Monmore	480m	1	0:28.52	60.6 km/h	2.25L	$0.00	0:28.52		Trial	$0	-	-	1. Grouchos Gregor 2. Fortanach Col 3.
5th of 5	19/7/26	Sheffield Bags	500m	3	0:29.60	60.8 km/h	7.5L	$2.50	0:29.00	0:29.00	IV	$1,612	$163	10	1. So Its Strate 2. Epic Command 3. Romeo Cobra
4th of 6	9/7/26	Newcastle Uk	480m	3	0:29.01	59.6 km/h	5.3L	$2.20	0:28.58	0:28.13	OR1	$1,296	$144	10	1. Droopys Link 2. Naochra 3. Ballymac Sargie
1st of 1	3/7/26	Newcastle Uk	480m	2	0:28.50	60.6 km/h	0L	$0.00	0:28.50		Trial	$0	-	-	1. Grouchos Gregor 2. 3.
1st of 5	29/6/26	Nottingham	500m	2	0:29.76	60.5 km/h	0.8L	$1.44f	0:29.76	0:29.76	OR	$1,392	$624	31	1. Grouchos Gregor 2. Leo The Yank 3. Good Teddy
31 Day Freshen-Up

Ballymac Blanco (3) 3531115242
Trainer: M L Locke (Central Park)
Prize Money: $18,415
Win / Place: 28% / 65%

3 yo WH/BDL D

Sire: BALLYMAC VIC (IRE)

Dam: BALLYMAC WISDOM (IRE)

Rating

Stats

Career

52: 15-11-8

Distance

17: 5-5-2

Season

23: 5-8-3

Metro

30: 12-5-4

Country

22: 3-6-4

1st Up

2: 0-0-2

2nd Up

2: 1-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
0	11	4	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4
STARTS	20	14	11	7
1st	9	3	2	1
2nd	5	4	1	1
3rd	4	1	1	2

Comments

Finished fourth two starts ago then regained form last time out when he found one better over 480m in a OR1 at Monmore. Put the writing on the wall last start so follow him up.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
2nd of 6	8/8/26	Monmore	480m	2	0:28.90	59.8 km/h	3.3L	$5.00	0:28.64	0:28.45		$1,389	$144	7	1. Venetian Nero 2. Ballymac Blanco 3. Magical Keith
4th of 6	1/8/26	Monmore	480m	3	0:29.51	58.6 km/h	6.0L	$2.00	0:29.03	0:28.19		$1,197	$125	7	1. Droopys Trade 2. Timmys Hunter 3. Slick Sabre
2nd of 6	25/7/26	Central Park	491m	1	0:29.19	60.6 km/h	1.3L	$1.90	0:29.09	0:28.98	OR	$1,631	$192	7	1. Brunch Pal 2. Ballymac Blanco 3. Watcha Gotcookin
5th of 6	18/7/26	Dunstall Park	480m	3	0:28.54	60.5 km/h	6.3L	$2.60	0:28.04	0:28.04	OR	$1,631	$192	7	1. Holding Blaze 2. Start The Engine 3. Anglesey Milo
1st of 6	11/7/26	Central Park	491m	1	0:28.90	61.2 km/h	1.8L	$1.40	0:28.90	0:28.90	OR3	$1,919	$960	7	1. Ballymac Blanco 2. Mystical Batman 3. Watcha Gotcookin
1st of 6	4/7/26	Central Park	491m	1	0:28.72	61.5 km/h	7.3L	$1.40	0:28.72	0:28.72	OR	$1,631	$672	7	1. Ballymac Blanco 2. Mystical Batman 3. Rural Pest

Slingshot Poppy (4) 1111611112
Trainer: B Fairbairn (Newcastle)
Prize Money: $57,540
Win / Place: 62% / 75%

Box Specialist

2 yo BDL B

Sire: GRANGEVIEW TEN (IRE)

Dam: GLOBAL GLENGAR (IRE)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

32: 20-4-0

Distance

17: 8-4-0

Season

14: 10-1-0

Metro

22: 15-2-0

Country

10: 5-2-0

1st Up

2: 1-0-0

2nd Up

2: 1-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
2	18	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5
STARTS	1	3	6	11	11
1st	1	1	4	8	6
2nd	0	1	0	1	2
3rd	0	0	0	0	0

Comments

Finished second last time (28.69) in a OR1 over 480m at Monmore after winning at her previous four starts. Well placed and can bounce back.

Expected Early Speed:Front Runner

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
2nd of 6	8/8/26	Monmore	480m	5	0:28.69	60.2 km/h	1.8L	$1.50f	0:28.55	0:28.45		$1,389	$144	16	1. Goldcash Warrior 2. Slingshot Poppy 3. Avarua Zlatan
1st of 6	23/7/26	Newcastle Uk	480m	4	0:28.02	61.7 km/h	5.3L	$1.10	0:28.02	0:28.01	OR2	$19,194	$14,395	7	1. Slingshot Poppy 2. Coppice Saphire 3. Fabulous Harmony
1st of 6	16/7/26	Newcastle Uk	480m	4	0:27.95	61.8 km/h	11.5L	$1.10	0:27.95	0:27.95	OR2	$1,248	$576	7	1. Slingshot Poppy 2. Fabulous Harmony 3. Ballymac Camilla
1st of 6	9/7/26	Newcastle Uk	480m	5	0:28.13	61.4 km/h	12.3L	$1.10	0:28.13	0:28.13	OR2	$1,248	$576	13	1. Slingshot Poppy 2. Fabulous Harmony 3. Travel Safe
1st of 1	2/7/26	Newcastle Uk	480m	4	0:28.22	61.2 km/h	0L	$0.00	0:28.22		Trial	$0	-	-	1. Slingshot Poppy 2. 3.
1st of 6	26/6/26	Sunderland	450m	5	0:26.48	61.2 km/h	3.8L	$1.30f	0:26.48	0:26.48	IV	$2,341	$1,404	27	1. Slingshot Poppy 2. Cunnigar King 3. Sunnyside Gurkha

Magical Keith (5) 25x35x1413
Trainer: G A Griffiths (Monmore)
Prize Money: $9,503
Win / Place: 26% / 65%

2 yo Black D

Sire: BALLYMAC CASHOUT (IRE)

Dam: BURGESS SARAH (IRE)

Rating

Stats

Career

23: 6-5-4

Distance

18: 4-3-4

Season

6: 2-0-2

Metro

13: 4-2-3

Country

10: 2-3-1

1st Up

3: 2-0-1

2nd Up

3: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
0	4	2	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6
STARTS	5	4	1	7	3	3
1st	1	0	1	3	1	0
2nd	2	1	0	2	0	0
3rd	0	0	0	2	1	1

Comments

Winner two starts back at Monmore over 480m in 28.44. Last start filled a minor placing over 480m at Monmore in OR1. Prepared to just watch this time.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 6	8/8/26	Monmore	480m	4	0:28.94	59.7 km/h	3.8L	$6.00	0:28.64	0:28.45		$1,389	$144	16	1. Venetian Nero 2. Ballymac Blanco 3. Magical Keith
1st of 6	23/7/26	Monmore	480m	5	0:28.44	60.8 km/h	0.8L	$1.70	0:28.44	0:28.44	A1	$1,017	$393	12	1. Magical Keith 2. Intriguing Iris 3. Newinn Rex
4th of 5	11/7/26	Monmore	480m	6	0:28.89	59.8 km/h	3.0L	$2.20f	0:28.64	0:28.43		$1,075	$125	7	1. Sams Magic 2. Headford Cian 3. Simpson Sniper
1st of 6	4/7/26	Monmore	480m	4	0:28.48	60.7 km/h	0.5L	$1.62f	0:28.48	0:28.19		$1,200	$576	119	1. Magical Keith 2. Shake The Bottle 3. Datona Vamoose
119 Day Spell
1st of 1	30/6/26	Monmore	264m	3	0:15.03	63.2 km/h	0L	$0.00	0:15.03		Trial	$0	-	-	1. Magical Keith 2. 3.
5th of 6	7/3/26	Curraheen Park	480m	2	0:29.18	59.2 km/h	6.0L	$4.00	0:28.76	0:28.01	AA0	$1,355	-	7	1. Beanos Yank 2. Ballymac Iroko 3. Shanahee Boomer

Crossfield Enzo (6) 2446x34233
Trainer: R P Rees (Hove)
Prize Money: $11,297
Win / Place: 17% / 57%

3 yo Black D

Sire: EXPLOSIVE BOY (IRE)

Dam: CROSSFIELD FEENA (IRE)

Rating

Stats

Career

47: 8-12-7

Distance

13: 3-2-4

Season

12: 0-3-4

Metro

32: 5-8-5

Country

15: 3-4-2

1st Up

4: 1-1-1

2nd Up

4: 1-2-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
1	6	1	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6
STARTS	3	1	5	10	14	14
1st	1	0	1	2	2	2
2nd	1	0	1	3	5	2
3rd	0	1	1	0	2	3

Comments

Followed a minor placing at Monmore two runs ago with a sound third, beaten 6 lengths, last start in a OR1 at Monmore over 480m (29.24). In good form but this is tougher.

Expected Early Speed:Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 6	8/8/26	Monmore	480m	6	0:29.24	59.1 km/h	6.3L	$9.00	0:28.73	0:28.45		$1,389	$144	14	1. Scooby Diamond 2. Newinn Tonic 3. Crossfield Enzo
3rd of 5	25/7/26	Monmore	480m	6	0:28.65	60.3 km/h	3.0L	$9.00	0:28.41	0:28.41		$1,919	$192	7	1. Wise Tournament 2. Headford Cian 3. Crossfield Enzo
2nd of 6	18/7/26	Monmore	480m	6	0:28.43	60.8 km/h	3.3L	$5.00	0:28.17	0:28.17		$1,200	$125	49	1. Headford Cian 2. Crossfield Enzo 3. Countess Penny
49 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 2	13/7/26	Hove	285m	5	N/A	-	3.75L	$0.00	0:16.59		Trial	$0	-	-	1. Zenith Aslan 2. Crossfield Enzo 3.
1st of 1	6/7/26	Hove	285m	5	0:16.44	62.4 km/h	0L	$0.00	0:16.44		Trial	$0	-	-	1. Crossfield Enzo 2. 3.
4th of 6	30/5/26	Towcester	270m	6	0:15.84	61.4 km/h	6.0L	$51	0:15.35	0:15.35		$1,451	$159	6	1. Shadow Storm 2. Bubbly Crusader 3. Droopys Will

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