Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Waller-trained KATERINI (6) peaks off a near miss at the Gold Coast over 1800m. The staying trip will suit, and Cahill is a positive jockey engagement. Even harder to beat with key rivals scratched. JAMCART (5) will be better for the three race starts and finds easier company. If there's a threat he's the most likely. The remainder need to find plenty to threaten. RODEO LEGEND (3) may be the best of them.
RACE 2 - Vandyke-trained BECCA (5) looked sharp at the trials and confirmed the form with a comfortable win at Gatton on debut. The speedy filly has a key jockey switch to Orman and has been kept on the fresh side. Fitter and can win again. INDUBITABLY (1) tackled a CL3 at the Sunshine Coast and missed a hat trick by 1.2L. Tumbles in grade and a 1.5kg claimer goes aboard. Maps well and is a decent chance to bounce back. EAGLE'S FIRE (4) has been unlucky not to have broken through. Has the first time blinkers applied and they may spark the extra required. TAKE A BOW (3) is still a work in progress but finished well at Ipswich first-up. Came off a promising initial preparation and will have taken fitness and learning.
RACE 3 - HIT (10) resumed much improved winning this grade at the Gold Coast and then jumped sharply in grade and didn't finish it off after a slow start. This suits her much better and she will be fitter again. A decent each-way chance on the bounce. KILDARE (4) was on the speed and too good for the Gatton Maidens on debut. Has a small claim and has been kept on the fresh side. He will be further improved and looks capable of taking the next step. DEEP FURY (7) resumes and has switched from a Sydney barn. He has some nice pieces of form in better company and is in good hands. Jumps from an inside barrier and the betting will be key. TAPIS MAGIQUE (11) ran her best race this preparation when beaten 1.6L at Ipswich. Needs some luck but is in the mix. BAUHAUS (2) resumes and maps well. A market watch.
RACE 4 - SHAKE'N'BAKE (4) is a former Victorian who resumed in good order for the Currie yard before a plain effort heavily supported again. Prepared to overlook that and he has plenty up his sleeve. Draws inside and the blinkers go back on. KOBE ASCOT (2) peaks off threatening country efforts. He will race forward from the handy barrier and has winning claims. HOLLYWOOD EPIC (1) resumes and brings two sharp trials. He's been gelded and the speedy galloper can make short work of the outside barrier. Can come back even better and give a big sight. PORT RIVER BILLIE (11) resumes for a strong metro barn and has trialled well. Her debut was at Doomben in an Open 3 and today will jump from the inside gate. Has to be kept safe.
RACE 5 - HEYOKA (9) resumed heavily bet winning a Warwick 62. She brought strong metro form to that and will be better for the outing. Has an awkward barrier but can go back-to-back with average luck. INQUISITIVE LEGEND (11) faded from the speed here third-up following the switch from a Sydney yard. She will be better for it and her NSW provincial form stacks right up. She may control the race from the inside barrier and can give a big sight. BADGERS NUTS (1) resumes and has trialled well. Won a 62 easily here before spelling and can skip across and ride the speed. Loves the track and has to be considered. FIGHTING IDOL (4) can feature fresh.
RACE 6 - The top metro hoop sticks around to ride DECRYPT (1) and that's a decent push for his chances. Was narrowly beaten at Toowoomba first-up in stronger grade racing forward. He's been freshened and each-way gets the nod. SMOKE 'N' OAKUM (3) deserved the easy heavily-bet Maiden win before spelling. Resumed with a tidy effort in Open grade at Warwick and has more to offer. The rails gate and longer sprint advantage. SMART ACTION (4) comes out of the same race finishing alongside the above. It was a big effort, and he can sit handier today. Keeps improving and also has claims. CHATTERBOX (11) led and comfortably won a Warwick Maiden second-up. She started a short-priced favourite and the lightly-raced galloper has a 1.5kg claim and has plenty of scope for improvement. SHANNON'S LEGACY (10) had excuses at Coffs Harbour and belted the Ballina Maidens by 5L first-up prior over this trip. Keep onside.
RACE 7 - Hard. MYCHYNA (4) didn't have the best of it at Ballina but was beaten a nose there prior on a soft track. Has a small claim and maps for the run of the race. MOUNT ZION (2) resumed at the Sunshine Coast in stronger beaten less than 2L. He is proven second-up and has won this course/distance. PASSIONATE REBEL (5) improved again narrowly beaten this track/trip. He's sure to race well again. BORN TO BE ALIVE (18) comes back in distance and is likely to skip over and control the race. He's won here and is on a quick back-up. Will give a big sight.
