Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - 2yo newcomers. HONOURBEFORE GLORY (3) is the high-striking Taylor barn's preferred choice with the two stablemates scratched. Brings a comfortable trial win and the inside gate should advantage the newcomer. Stable favourite Stanley rides and no surprise if he has these well-covered. HI FRANK (2) finished 2L behind the above in his most recent trial and is the likely danger. Butler rides and that's a decent push. VALUBIOUS (8) is up from the Sunshine Coast and is in good hands. Tipping she'll show a lot more than her recent trial suggests. OUR EAGLE ROCK (4) has a 3kg claim and did enough in his trial to keep onside.
RACE 2 - A good contest. WOODSTOCK ROCK (3) may be the best of the Taylor-trained pair. Led and missed a nose at Mackay behind Scrub Chain and he has a key jockey switch to Wiggins. He should get every chance to go one better. Hard to knock SCRUB CHAIN (1) who's well placed again with a 2kg claimer going aboard. He can use the inside barrier and will be fitter again. Tough to beat. UNDERRATED (4) was beaten 2L behind the above pair at Mackay following a 1L defeat at this track. He will have taken further improvement and Stanley sticks aboard the Taylor-trained galloper. A chance as well. MORE STYLISH (7) showed more beaten a whisker in a CL2 at Mackay second-up. Her best efforts stack up and she has to be kept onside.
RACE 3 - AIN'T NOBODY (2) ìs ex-Neasham and found more like his best narrowly beaten over a mile second-up heavily supported. He has to come back 300m but races forward and is capable of going one better. ONE PERCENT (1) is a leader who was expected to win comfortably here three weeks ago but he didn't fire on the wet track. Wiggins stays aboard and fitter deserves another chance. MOMENT OF TRUTH (3) resumes and has switched from a Victorian yard and is good enough to feature if presented on song. Brings a tidy trial and has a handy 3kg claim and the first-time blinkers applied. That signals intent but the betting will be key. MISS PALLADIUM (6) switched from the Vandyke yard and showed enough at Mackay to consider. Has an awkward barrier but Stanley rides and that helps. BOYFRIEND MATERIAL (9) is also a hope in a good contest.
RACE 4 - NONDISCLOSURE (1) has been beaten a whisker both starts this preparation and was backed off the map here last time over this distance. The speedy galloper draws low today and a top hoop rides. He can go one better. The former Victorian YOSEMITE FALLS (3) was well-supported first-up but folded late from the speed. She will appreciate the longer sprint. The low draw advantages and quick improvement is likely. THE HAIRDRESSER (10) has been heavily bet her last three and has raced well without winning. Has 3kg weight relief in this grade and finally draws an inside gate. It's hard to risk the potent Stanley-Taylor linkage. DECIDUOUS (2) presents at peak fitness with a handy 3kg claim. He's good enough to consider.
RACE 5 - Tricky. DIDDLEY SQUAT (1) has switched to the leading stable and is proven fresh. Rates strongly and owns two trial wins. Stanley sticks from those and a bold return is likely. ALLOUTATIME (7) led and won a CL1 here first-up having switched stables. She has more to give and Wiggins stays aboard. Fitter and she's a decent chance to go back-to-back. IMPACTFULL MISS (8) presents fitter again and gets in well with the 3kg claim. She will push forward and give a sight. AMBERINGER (10) resumes and would be a chance if presented on song.
RACE 6 - DISCOVERED GOLD (6) has been heavily bet and narrowly defeated both starts this preparation. Comes back in grade with a handy 3kg claim and maps for the run of the race. Looks the one to beat. OUTBACK BANDIT (8) is right up to this and will be much sharper second-up. Finds easier and Huxtable will give him every hope. SUNDARA (3) peaks and is a decent chance to bounce. Draws the inside gate today and Wiggins takes over. TAHKIAN BUBBLES (9) raced favourite first-up but looked a run short. Proven second-up and benefits from a 3kg claim. She should be around the mark at a value price.
