Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The maidens kick us off. PREFER TO DANCE (3) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up at the past couple of outings and strikes a very winnable contest here. Drops back in trip but should be hitting the line with gusto and rates the testing material. Former Victorian MAURITA (6) found the frame in her first local run and will have derived a stack of benefit from that hit-out. Wheeler sticks in the saddle and looms as the main danger. SUNNY DISPOSITION (8) strips fitter second-up from the spell and should get a gun run from gate two. Right in the mix. BURLEIGH MAGIC (1) put in a career-best performance last time out and may have turned the corner now. Keep safe.
RACE 2 - CAPE CRUSADER (1) loves racing over this track and trip with two wins and four placings from just six attempts and should get all the favours from the inside marble. Gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim and is sure to give backers a sight. EARL OF DEVON (6) has a win and a second at the past couple over this course and distance and is another to get some weight off. Rates a serious contender. ONOMATOPOEIA (2) is a consistent conveyance who has hit the top-five at his past ten starts. Top-three credentials. WHO ORDERED DAFISH (3) has placed two from three around this circuit and may earn some minor money. FAST LADY (5) rounds out the selections in an open affair.
RACE 3 - MISHANI CROWN (3) has placed two from two around this circuit and has been racing very consistently this time in work. Drawn to sit up on speed from the inside alley and should be right there when the whips are cracking. LA RAZA (5) got the maiden out of the way here on debut before being tipped out for time to furnish. Revved up for this with a recent trial placing and gets in well at the weights with the claim. Can measure up again. SHOWS A SIGN (1) is two from two here on his home circuit and has saluted on all going. Top-three hope. THROWNUNDERTHEBUS (6) resumes here for the new stable but the form she showed when last in work was good enough to feature in a contest like this. Can run a race while fresh.
RACE 4 - Former Victorian PORRISTA (10) has gotten better with each run since joining the new stable and looks to be nearing a maiden victory. Gets 2kg off with the claim and rates among the leading hopes. The well-related TURN THE CORNER (5) (half to G1 winner Royal Merchant) strips fitter second-up from the break and gets the reliable Gollan/Jones combination. Has to be included in calculations. WORLDY SPIRIT (12) has hit the top-four in all four career outings and may run a race while fresh. BOOM CRUSHER (2) next in line in a race with plenty of chances.
RACE 5 - Tricky contest to assess with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade PINK VIXEN (6) looked good winning here on debut before just running into one better at the Gold Coast last time out. Cartwright sticks in the saddle and should be going very close again. CUDDLES FOR KIMMY (7) was a touch disappointing at the latest outing but go on the solid win when resuming two back. Nicely placed here and can make amends. CASINO BAY (10) was well in the betting here on debut and wasn't too far off them finishing runner-up. Where there's smoke there's fire and rates a serious top-three commodity. GEITZ (11) showed ability placing on debut before being tipped out for time to mature. Respect any market confidence. FINANCIALLY FAMOUS (8) defied expectations winning at Eagle Farm and can go right on with the job now.
RACE 6 - Looks a wide-open contest. TAVS (14) resumes here but the three runs he had for the new stable before the spell were full of merit. Tuned up for this with two recent trial placings and any push in betting should be noted. OUR MAGNUS (11) has hit the top-five at his past nine starts and doesn't know how to put in a poor one. Looms as the main danger. SKYFORGER (10) has only missed a drum once in four fresh attempts and can run a race first-up. ACRES AWAY (13) only managed to finish fifth over the shorter 1000m journey at Gold Coast when resuming last start. Proven second-up and look for an improved run.
RACE 7 - The feature race on the card, the $750,000 King Of The Mountain. STEADY READY (4) returned in fine fashion with a strong win at Eagle Farm and winning hoop Collis stays on top. Has placed three from three around this circuit and should get across easily from gate six. Rates a serious contender. CIFRADO (1) is first-up here but has revved up for this with two recent trial victories and has a bit of class on this field. Expect him to play a major role while fresh. CHINNY BOOM (12) goes well for Stanley who has four wins and three placings from just nine steers and will strip fitter second-up from the spell. One of the better hopes. IT'SOURTIME (2) best of the rest in a cracking contest.
RACE 8 - Former Godolphin galloper RESTONICA (4) is having his first run for the new stable but will find this easier than what he faced in NSW and couldn't have been more impressive winning a recent trial here by over seven lengths. Looks set for a bright return. NORTHERNONTAP (3) gets 3kg off with the claim and is usually thereabouts. Top-three candidate on best form. DEPTH CHARGE (1) resumes here but has won two from three first-up and can run a race while fresh. KWAMI (6) loves this track and trip and is one for the exotics players.
