Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The well-related NAVY PILOT (1) (full to 2xG2 winner Tiz Invincible) has been plying his trade in much harder NSW contests to start the career and will appreciate the drop back in grade here. Gets the services of Maloney in the irons and must be respected from the Maher yard. Rates the testing material. TEN PINS (5) couldn't have been more impressive saluting at Townsville when facing the starter for the first time and has earned his shot in town now. Winning hoop Stanley sticks in the saddle and looms as the main danger. RED CODE (2) was well found on debut and didn't let supporters down with a solid victory at the Gold Coast. Can make it back-to-back wins to start the career. ON POINT PIXIE (6) has hit the frame in both starts to date and looks to be nearing a victory. In the mix. FREDDIE BASSETT (3) is at the races for the first time but has shown ability at the trials and a watch on betting is advised.
RACE 2 - Looks a wide open affair. THE RIGHT WAY (8) has been right there in all three runs this campaign and should be ready for the step-up in trip now. Drawn to get across easily from gate three to sit up on speed and is sure to give backers a sight. PHILIPSBURG (11) returned to the winners' stall last time out and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Gets in on the minimum and rates a serious contender. TAPILDOODLEDO (3) is a two-time winner here and looks to be nearing another victory. Top-three credentials on best form. GALIFIANAKIS (4) has strung two wins together on the bounce and winning rider Bayliss sticks. Cannot be discounted. KIPLING'S JOURNEY (5) rounds out the selections in a race with a bunch of chances.
RACE 3 - AVONE (5) has a handy record over this sprint trip with two wins and a placing from just three efforts and will strip fitter second-up from the spell. Gets in well at the weights with the 3kg claim and should be right there when the whips are cracking. MIGHTY (8) has been thereabouts in both runs since rejoining the Gollan stable and will be ready to peak now. Keep very safe. ARISPHERE (10) is one from one over this course and distance and gets the reliable Gollan/Jones combination. Include in calculations. ENTERPRISE LUCIA (11) next in line with the claim from the inside alley.
RACE 4 - The penny has dropped for SER JOH (3) who has won three of his past four starts including one over this track and trip last time out. Gets winning rider Wheeler back in the irons and only needs some luck navigating from the sticky draw to be playing a major role in the outcome. Former Victorian FLOOZIE (12) is having her first run for the new stable but should find this easier than what she faced down south. Yet to miss a place in three first-up attempts and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. LADY LUCIFER (18) has put back-to-back wins together this campaign and it's hard to knock mares in form. Has to be included. MISTER BIANCO (14) has placed in each of his two first up outings. Keep in mind.
RACE 5 - DEPTH OF CHARACTER (1) hasn't been too far away in Sydney Group company of late and should find this assignment much more to his liking. Has a win and a placing from two starts around this circuit and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Should be right there when the judge calls a halt. DEEP FOCUS (5) hasn't done much wrong with a win and two seconds from three career outings and looks a galloper with plenty of upside. Rates a leading hope. APUNTAR (2) strips fitter third-up from the spell and gets some weight relief with the 2kg claim. Top-three aspirations. MR BUBBALUSKI (3) has only missed a drum once in seven career starts and is a must for the exotics players.
RACE 6 - FRENCH ENDEAVOUR (12) will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the spell and is having her first run for the new stable. Keep a close eye on market moves. VORACIOUS (6) was a touch plain at the latest effort but the two wins to commence the preparation were full of merit. Can return to form. CASTILLIAN (2) next in line with the deadly Gollan/Maloney combination. LUBRICATION (4) has placed in each of his three runs this prep. Should get a decent tempo up front which he can settle back off and run on late.
RACE 7 - DEMON DARB (17) was super impressive when a dominant winner at Doomben last time out and sticks to the mile journey here. Will be rock-hard fit for this and looks the one they all have to run down. IMATRUESTAR (10) is a consistent conveyance who has hit the top-five in nine of his past ten starts and is usually thereabouts. Jumps from a favourable draw and can make his presence felt. FREE CARRY (12) was a touch flat at the latest effort but go on the two wins prior to start the campaign. Gets some weight off and is worth another chance. SMART LEGEND (15) looked handy saluting in his first run for the new stable and can go right on with the job now. In the mix.
RACE 8 - The $160,000 Listed Ascot Handicap. WANDA ROX (9) loves this course and distance with three wins and a second from just four attempts and will be ready to peak now third-up from the break. Is yet to miss the top-two in eight starts over this sprint journey and should get a gun run in transit from the favourable draw. Ticks plenty of boxes. ZARASTRO (1) resumes here but is a five-time winner around this circuit and Gollan is sure to have him up to the mark first-up. Can return a winner. LIBERTAD (7) is another fresh but has revved up for this with two recent trials and draws the inside marble. Top-three conveyance. SPACEWALK (3) saves his best form for this five-furlong journey and only needs some luck from the outside alley to play a role in the outcome. The well-related LIQUOR (10) (half to G3 winner and G1 placed Tannhauser) best of the rest in a cracking contest.
RACE 9 - The $160,000 Listed Daybreak Lover. GOODLUCKTOME (3) has hit a purple patch of form winning three of his past four starts including one over this course and distance two back. Gets Maloney back on from the low draw and should give this a mighty shake. The well-related GIVE ME SPACE (1) (half to G3 winner Extra Time) has a strong record here at this circuit with two wins and a second from just three outings and doesn't know how to put in a poor one. Has won when fresh before and a strong showing would not shock. BOOMTOWN BOSS (5) returned in good order with a solid win here and Lang stays on top. Top-three candidate on that form. PISCES (2) is a Group 3 winner who will strip fitter with that first-up run out of the way. Open to plenty of improvement.
RACE 10 - The well-related TORABELLA (6) (half to 5xG1 winner Shoot Out) is back at the races here but the form she showed before the spell was good enough to feature in a race like this. Has an impressive strikerate winning seven of 11 overall and gets the benefit of Lang's 1.5kg claim. Rates highly and a bold showing is expected while fresh. MANHOOD (4) has a handy record over this track and trip with three wins and three placings from eight attempts. Strips fitter third-up and can play a role in the finish. MINTAKA LAD (21) is usually around the money and is a must for the multiples. BLAKMAX (12) next best with the Gollan/Maloney combination from the low draw.
