Full field set to contest The Gold Rush at Ascot

The 2024 7Plus Sport-Gold Rush (1400m) field is now confirmed with 16 gallopers set to face off in the $1.5 million event at Ascot on Saturday.

On the quick turnaround and backing up from Saturday’s Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) are Bustler, Zipaway, Mojo Rhythm and Super Smink.

Final acceptors in the Gold Rush does not include eastern states horses who have dominated Group 1 proceedings over the past three weeks in Perth, kicking off with Port Lockroy in the Railway Stakes (1600m), Overpass in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and Light Infantry Man in the Northerly Stakes.

Luke Fernie will be glad to see Ripcord back on home soil after the Written By gelding went without a win in three attempts in a fruitless Melbourne spring campaign, a winning warm up trial has bolstered hopes that he can go one better after a close second to Munhamek in last year’s Gold Rush.

Fernie is sweating on a run for stable mates Laced Up Heels and Devoted, who alongside Dan Morton’s Saloon Bar and Sean and Jake Casey’s Rockin’ Rupert, are the four Gold Rush emergencies.

Interstate jockey’s Luke Currie and Rhys Mcleod have been booked to ride Valour Road and Saloon Bar respectively.

In what could be his final swan song, Valour Road is coming off a last start second in the Carbine (1400m) before winning a tick over trial.

Comfort Me, Magnificent Andy, Triple Missile and Searchin’ Roc’s are coming through the Railway Stakes form line.

Comfort Me led the local brigade when second to Port Lockroy, a remarkable third runner-up finish in the Railway for the Rhys Radford-trained gelding.

He’s also been placed third in the two running’s of The Gold Rush, behind Munhamek last year and The Astrologist in 2022.

Two spots behind Comfort Me in the Railway was Magnificent Andy, who ran a sound race and will have admirers back to 1400m where he has won seven of his 10 races.

Regular jockey Brad Parnham continues his association with the Stephen Miller-trained Magnus gelding.

Western Empire, Red Can Man, Hot Zed and Rope Them In are back after the Winterbottom Stakes.

The best performed in the Winterbottom Stakes was Hot Zed, running a cracking third as one of the rank outsiders.

Aztec Ruler was a last start winner of the Carbine while Wind And The Lion, after winning the Placid Ark Stakes (1200m), occupied third spot in the Lee-Steere Classic (1400m).

The Gold Rush barrier draw will be conducted at a function at Kings Park at 4.30pm on Tuesday.

Western Empire the current $4 favourite, Super Smink next at $6.