Run over the Christmas-New Year period, the Group 2 Gosford Cup always attracts a strong line-up.

In 2017, just six weeks after winning the Melbourne Cup, and after setting the time standard in the heats, Ando’s Mac was considered very hard to beat in the Cup Final, but he would manage only third with an upset win from Michael Eberand’s Barking Bad in 29.35s.

The following year and Northern Rivers’ trainer Evelyn Harris took out the Cup with her grand campaigner Cosmic Bonus, winning by over six lengths, in 29.48s.

In the heats of the 2019 Cup, Peter Lagogiane’s Beast Unleashed smashed the track record running 28.90s, the first dog to go under 29s. In the final the time wasn’t as quick - 29.15s - but the result was the same with Beast Unleased winning the Group 2 feature Final.

Then in 2020, it was Geoff Grimwood’s Kid Candle starting the New Year on the right paw with a strong win in the Cup.

Just as the case was in 2019, the track record fell in the heats of the Gosford Gold Cup, when the brilliant Wow roared around the track in 28.88s.

A week later he didn't have things his own way but the Karina Britton-trained dog was again victorious, defeating Incapacitated in 29.15s to take out the Group 2 final.

Wow was back to defend his title in 2022 with the race having a new sponsor and now known as the Beast Unleashed Gosford Gold Cup.

The fastest heat winner, and with his main danger, Zipping Kyrgios drawn out in box 8, punters thought Wow could become the first dog to win back to back Gosford Cups.

But heading into the first turn, Wow was checked and Zipping Kyrgios was able to get across and into fourth spot, then heading out of the back he loomed and powered home to win his third Group race in the past eight months.

In 2023 the Gosford Gold Cup attracted a genuine superstar in She's A Pearl, the millionaire bitch was chasing only her second Group race victory (she won the 2022 Golden Easter Egg), and from the perfect box 1 draw she looked a good thing.

But after walking out of the boxes her chances disappeared, and it was left to her kennelmate, Punter's Bandit to get the job done in 29.37s from Mia She's Fast and Zipping Novak.

In 2024, up and coming sprinter Good Odds Cobber took out the first NSW Group race of the year for Frank and Tracy Hurst.

Jumping nicely from box three and staying glued to the rail around the first turn, Good Odds Cobber was able to take control of the race up the back and stave off all challengers to win the $40,000 Group 2 final in 29.31s. Favourite Eyes To Eyes was a gallant second ¾ length back with My Hepburn third a further 2½ lengths away.

“Leaders win races. If you haven’t got speed, you’ve got nothing ... really. You’ve got to breed for speed,” Hurst said after the victory.

“He was the slowest qualifier last week. He had the eight (box) here last week and I don't know why but he missed it badly. Whether it was because he was (drawn) off the track, or he didn’t hear it, I don't know what it was, but he redeemed himself tonight. He chased hard through the first turn and he put them off their game.

“It's good to be back in the winner’s circle. It's pretty exciting as you could imagine.”