Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - The babies kick us off and it's a tricky contest to assess with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade SHAGGY (1) couldn't have been more impressive absolutely dominating them on debut at Coffs Harbour and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. The extra furlong here should suit and can make it back-to-back wins to start the career. VAREJAO (5) is at the races for the first time but has shown plenty of ability at the trials and Wilson-Taylor stays on board for race day. Keep very safe. VEGA NOVA (2) was well in the betting on debut and where there's smoke there's fire. In the mix for some minor money.

RACE 2 - JUST FLYING (1) has been exactly that this campaign with three wins and a second from just four starts including a victory over this track and trip at the latest effort. Gets 3kg weight relief with the claim and should be going very close again. VALIMI (7) has been plying his trade in harder NSW contests and will find this assignment much more to his liking. Expect a better showing. LIBERTY STEPS (2) boasts a win around this circuit, draws the inside marble and gets 1.5kg off. Ticks a few boxes. ZAHER (8) rarely puts in a poor one and looks one for the exotics players.

RACE 3 - Looks a wide open affair. VAGUER (1) was a touch disappointing at the latest effort but the NSW form prior to that run was good enough to feature in a race like this. Is one from one over this staying test and gets 2kg weight relief from the favourable draw. Ticks a few boxes. STREET GLORY (12) has been racing very consistently up north of late and it's hard to knock mares in form. Looms as the main danger. PLEADEEL (6) has placed two from two over this course and distance and is drawn to get a soft run from the inside alley. In the mix. VENTUROUS (8) saves his best form for this journey with a win and two placings from just four attempts. Include with Maloney in the stirrups. IBERIAN RULER (11) best of the rest in a race with plenty of hopes.

RACE 4 - Looks a race in two. COSMO CENTAURUS (8) was an impressive winner over this track and trip on debut before being tipped out for time to furnish. Tuned up for this with a recent dominant Doomben trial victory and winning hoop Wheeler stays on board. Gets in light with the claim and should give this a mighty shake. SPYWIRE (1) was a touch disappointing when resuming but will have come on with that run now under the belt and has a bit of a class edge over most of these. Expecting a spike in form. BELEGATO (5) loves this course and distance with two wins and two placings from just four attempts and is racing with a lot of confidence this preparation. Top-three aspirations. DEFIANT BOOM (3) has a win and a second from two first-up efforts and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Can give a sight. ALPHA BRAVO (4) next in line while fresh.

RACE 5 - This could turn out to be a handy form race. PROVANCE (1) is an honest campaigner who has hit the top-five in eight of his nine starts to date with the only real failure coming at Group 2 level. Boasts a win around this circuit and gets the services of Orman in the saddle to navigate from the sticky draw. Rates the testing material. CREATIVITY MISS (5) has placed two from two here and looks to have plenty of upside. Can play a major role in the outcome. BLITZUM (3) just missed the placings last time out but go on the dominant Ipswich victory when resuming. Can bounce right back to the winners' stall here. FACUNDO (4) shed the maiden tag at the latest effort and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Top-three contender. ATOMIC CLOCK (7) next best from the Maher barn.

RACE 6 - TERMAGANT (14) absolutely loves this course and distance winning three of four and will strip fitter with that first-up run now out of the way. Only needs some luck from the wide draw to be right there when the judge calls a halt. Former NSW galloper WILD BOTANICA (13) failed to finish in her first run for the new stable but the form she showed down south was good enough to be competitive in this. Worth another chance. Former Godolphin gelding STANISLAUS (10) hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner Golden Mile) and should get a cosy run in transit from the inside alley. Can run a race while fresh. The consistent HEARTONI (6) rounds out the selections.

RACE 7 - A race with plenty of chances. RIMBAUD (10) goes well for jockey Guthmann-Chester who has two victories and two placings from five rides and is yet to miss a drum in three first-up efforts. Has placed two from two around this circuit and a strong showing while fresh would not shock. NORTH OF ELI (9) is a consistent commodity who rarely puts in a poor one and is usually thereabouts. Top-three candidate on best form. STREAK OF WINNING (12) hasn't done much wrong winning both starts to date here including one over this journey last time out. Hard to ignore. GOSPEL GIRL (14) can contest for a place.

RACE 8 - The feature race on the card, the $160,000 Listed Sunshine Coast Cup. DEVASTATE (9) resumes here but the form he showed last campaign was full of merit and has placed three of four when fresh. Can return a winner. INVER PARK (4) is two from two over this track and trip with Mallyon being on board for both those victories. Top-three conveyance. ELETTRICA (11) has been plying her trade in competitive NSW contests and must be respected from the Freedman camp. In the mix. OUGHTON (2) failed last time out but the two Listed runs prior were top notch. Worth another chance.

RACE 9 - METALART (6) is a different horse when Rodd is in the saddle with five wins and a second from just six rides and he certainly knows how to get the best out of this son of Better Than Ready. Is a three-time winner over this six-furlong trip and is drawn to get across easily from gate three. Sure to be there at the business end. MILLANE (7) didn't measure up in The Buffering last time out but go on the solid Eagle Farm win two back. Can return to form here. BEWS (12) has just missed the placings at his last few runs, the latest when fourth over 1200m at this track. Can give this a shake. STANDING ORDER (13) can improve on his disappointing first-up run.

RACE 10 - Open race to close out the card with plenty of value on offer. DENIED (13) goes well for rider Emily Lang who is yet to miss a place in seven career rides and again gets the benefit of her 2kg claim. Strips fitter with that first-up run in the locker and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Capable of a very bold showing. RUNWITHTHETIDE (19) has placed three of five over this seven-furlong journey and will be rock-hard fit for this. Only needs some luck from the carpark draw to be earning a lion's share of the prize money. YET HE MOVES (6) gets the deadly Waller/Maloney combination and may run a race while fresh. ONE BEAT NO BEAT (21) has no weight and draws low. Can earn a cheque.