Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The maidens kick us off. DIAMOND DEGREE (5) has been just behind the placegetters of late, draws the inside marble and gets some weight off with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. IMPERIAL BLOSSOM (3) will strip fitter third-up from the spell and gets Stanley on board from the low draw. In the mix. NAORO (4) rounds out the selections in a race decimated by scratchings.
RACE 2 - SIR GRACE (5) has put back-to-back victories together and is racing with a lot of confidence. Is two from two over this distance range and another strong showing would not surprise. RELEASE LE MISSILE (7) has a handy record around this circuit with two wins and two placings from five starts. Looms as the main danger. CAFFREY (1) is a very consistent commodity who has remarkably hit the top-five at his past 16 starts. A must for the multiples. The well-related JOHNNY DASH (6) (half to G1 winner Spright) will strip fitter third-up from the spell and draws the inside alley. In the mix.
RACE 3 - One for the babies. HONOURBEFORE GLORY (1) looked good winning at Rockhampton on debut before just running into one better there before the spell. Has since tuned up for this with a recent trial victory and looks the one they all have to run down. KRACKACAN (2) got the maiden out of the way by the narrowest of margins when facing the starter for the first time and will have derived a stack of confidence from that win. Gets 1.5kg off and is sure to make his presence felt. BITTER SPIRIT (3) wasn't too far away when second on debut and will have come on with that run now in the locker. Top-three hope. WHISKEY RIVER (4) is at the races for the first time but has shown some ability at the trials and a watch on betting is advised. THE KOBAY TRAIN (9) rounds out the selections in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 4 - FIRE SPHERE (5) almost got the maiden out of the way last time out when a close-up second and gets in well at the weights with the 2kg claim. Won't need to improve much to feature in the outcome. POLLY HOFFA (8) has placed around this circuit and will be rock-hard fit for this. Hard to toss. MAGIC TYLA (4) has been thereabouts in both starts to date and this is not an overly strong affair. Top-three conveyance. THE HACKNEYDIAMOND (1) strips fitter second-up from the spell and may earn some minor money. MISHANI AMORE (7) next in line by default.
RACE 5 - BOOMING LAD (3) loves it here on his home circuit with a win and two seconds from just three outings and is racing in great heart this preparation. Gets 2kg weight relief with the claim and looks the one they all have to catch. The well-related MISHANI MAVERICK (7) (half to Listed winner and G2 placed Mishani Hustler) got a well-deserved victory last time out and will have taken some confidence from that win. Strong prospects. MR TANGLES (2) is a six-time winner over this distance range and will be at peak fitness for this. In the mix. STAR GAMBLE (4) also hails from a handy family (half to G2 winner and G1 placed Quantum Mechanic) and may trouble the judge with luck in running. TOW THE LINE (8) next best with the claim.
RACE 6 - REPLACE THE ACE (1) has a solid record here at Mackay with three wins and two placings from just six outings and is looking to bring up the hat-trick in this. Looks very hard to toss again. KINGS CASTLE (2) got the job done here last time out and is drawn to get a cosy run in transit from the inside alley. Looks a serious threat. NINE CARATS (4) has hit the top-four in seven of her past eight starts and is usually thereabouts. One for the multiples. SECRET ENCRYPTION (5) broke the maiden status at the latest effort and will have taken some confidence from that victory. In the mix. LUMIERE (6) gets in light with the claim and may earn a cheque.
