Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - IDYLLIC AFFAIR (5) raced greenly when finishing runner-up behind the top pick on debut and would have learned a lot from that experience. She is better off at the weights and should finish closer as a result. BOOMSHANKA (6) is on debut and hails from the powerful Tony Gollan stable. She won her only public trial and having James Orman in the saddle is a positive lead. Each way. MR WORTHINGTON (2) is on debut after a recent trial win at Toowoomba earlier in the month. He has the advantage of the pole position and with the in-form Justin Huxtable in the saddle, he can have a say in the finish. A market watch is advised. MAKING NEWS (7) did enough at the trials for a competitive debut.
RACE 2 - CHASSAGNE (7) came home with a rush when finishing third fresh up at Eagle Farm 2 weeks ago over a mile and she will relish the immediate step up to 2200m. She normally improves quickly with racing and can take this out. IVERSON (1) is racing as well as ever and was runner-up at Eagle Farm over this trip last time out. He copes with any track conditions and has won here in the past. Stick with him. ALDEENAARY (6) finished third in the same race as the second pick last start and cops another good draw. James Orman sticks with him and so do we. BINDING (4) has been crying out for more ground and gets her chance to improve her poor track record in this. Include in all combinations. SIMPLY REFUSE (9) may not win often but is always trying her best. She drops 5.5kg from her last run and is not out of this.
RACE 3 - OUTBURST (3) made an overdue return to the winners' circle when scoring on the Sunshine Coast poly track nearly 3 weeks ago which followed on from a brave effort for second on the turf course there. He usually holds his form when fit and he can double the dose. THESECONDATPORTSEA (4) ran on late with the blinkers back on when finishing close up in sixth place here 10 days ago. She won't lack fitness and wouldn't mind some cut in the ground. Stick with her. SMART ACTION (11) was down in grade when scoring at Beaudesert last start and cops a decent draw for this assignment. He has 5.5kg less to carry this time and has to be respected again. ORIGINAL GLAZE (2) fought on bravely when finishing fifth here last start and again benefits from a 3kg claim. She only needs the right run to be a top 3 threat this time. CHINCHILLA AHEAD (6) is a progressive gelding and has James Orman in the saddle. He steps up to a mile for the first time and can give this a shake.
RACE 4 - TORABELLA (2) has been back to her brilliant best in her last couple of starts at Eagle Farm and races just as well, if not better on this circuit. She overcame a wide gate to win by over a length a fortnight ago and won't find this much harder. With a kilo less to carry from a superior draw, she can complete a hat-trick of wins. CUNNAMULLA FELLA (3) has needed both of his starts back from a spell and will relish the step up to a mile for his peak run. He can secure the run of the race from the pole position and is ready to put his best hoof forward. HARBOURMASTER (6) was beaten by a wide draw and a tough trip last start at Eagle Farm. He is having his first run on this circuit but has a superior gate and can bounce back into the money. NAVAL SEAL (8) ran on too late last start when finishing runner-up at Eagle Farm and only needs to sort himself out at the start to win a race like this. Stick with him. TENZING (4) will strip fitter second up and can be a quick improver.
RACE 5 - TRACK TALE (3) is a very promising North Queensland-trained mare who kept up her impressive fresh-up record with an easy win at Rockhampton just over a month ago. Her trainer Ricky Vale has a great record when he treks South to the metro tracks and she can win again. KEMI ZABI (8) is another progressive type who has been holding his form and ran on late after an early check when finishing fourth at Ipswich 17 days ago. He has a better draw this time and also carries 4kg less after a claim. Each way value. DECISIVE LASS (14) will be chasing down a hat-trick of wins after a pair of easy victories at Ballina. She is nicely weighted and is worth including in all combinations. THE FIXER (5) can't be faulted lately and is another with each-way claims in an even contest.
RACE 6 - FUKUBANA (3) showed a lot of talent as a 3-year-old and resumed as a gelding for the first time and finished third at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago over 1200m. He will already be looking for more ground than 1350m but can have the last say in this if the tempo is genuine from the get-go. RED DEFCON (16) has found it hard to win another race but is usually thereabouts at this level. She was runner-up at Eagle Farm last start and is likely to settle back from a wide gate here. Watch for her late. Include in all combinations. PRO FORMA (15) raced greenly last time out and finished sixth and was beaten by a nose fresh up at the Sunshine Coast before that. Stick with him. RED MILE (6) is having his second Queensland start and is worth including in all combinations with a peak effort.
RACE 7 - KINGDOM UNDERSIEGE (7) joined the Matt Dunn stable after having 3 starts in Sydney and was too good for a weaker field at Ballina. He will only continue to improve with racing and is a big chance of another win. READY TO SCHIPP (9) made up a lot of ground fresh up when finishing sixth in a 250K race at the Sunshine Coast 4 weeks ago. She strips fitter and only has to make a better beginning to have a winning chance in this. Stick with her. TERRITORY ASH (5) did not have much go her way in a million-dollar race at the Gold Coast 15 days ago and she will find this easier. She has found it hard to win another race but her ability is not in question and she can take this out. BLAKEMORE AVENUE (11) was a tough winner by a head fresh up on the Sunshine Coast poly track. She drops 4kg in weight. Include in all multiples.
RACE 8 - SLIPPIN' JIMMY (5) resumed from a very successful winter campaign with a game win fresh up at the Gold Coast 3 weeks ago in a 500K race. He is perfectly placed in this with half-a-kilo less to carry and should be able to take them all of the way again. CORFE CASTLE (7) did not get the best of runs in a hot field at the Gold Coast 15 days ago and will be spot-on with his fitness third up. He has the advantage of the pole position and he does race well on this track. Stick with him. ADDRIEL (11) had to go back from a wide draw in the Magic Millions Cup worth 2 million dollars at the Gold Coast last start and tried hard when finishing midfield. He is a very handy gelding on his day and is good enough to figure in the top 3 here. DREAM HOUR (1) had the blinkers off last start and bounced back into form with a second-place finish by a nose at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago. A repeat of that run will see him in the finish again. OUR MAGNUS (13) is capable of getting a slice of this. Include.
RACE 9 - RUSSIAN ALLIANCE (10) finished close up in third place in a million-dollar race at the Gold Coast 15 days ago and should be at her peak fitness third up from a spell. She was a handy 3-year-old filly and looks to be on her back to her best. On top. HATCHET (9) won a trial before a big run for second fresh up at the Sunshine Coast 4 weeks ago. He is just as sharp second up and with 6kg less to carry, he can go one better. ATMOSPHERE (11) is resuming from a spell and ended his last prep as a winner on this track with an end-to-end win. He gets in with a light weight and has to be respected, especially if the money comes for him. KING KAPA (3) has not been too far away in some good fields on unsuitable wet tracks lately and on a firmer surface, he is good enough to take this out. SAFEWORK (6) has been holding his form strongly this season and he has a good record on this track. With the right run, he should make his presence felt again.
RACE 10 - MINTAKA LAD (5) has been patiently handled and should be in for a good year after resuming with a big finishing second at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago, beaten by a short head. James Orman steps into the irons and can negate the wide gate. Hard to beat. MISS BAYLES (18) has been given a freshen-up since a last start third at Eagle Farm 6 weeks ago. She has 6kg less to carry this time and a win would not shock. DAMO DAYZ (6) had the blinkers on last start and ran an improved race for second at Ipswich 17 days ago. He wouldn't mind a soft track and with conditions to suit, he will be among the hardest to beat again. NEVER GIVE UP (9) powered home fresh up at Ipswich to score by over a length and is a lot stronger this year. He is down in weight and is worth following up. JAYANTHI (10) had a tough trip before peaking on her effort when resuming with a midfield finish at the Sunshine Coast 15 days ago. Her second up record is strong and from the pole position she will improve quickly.
