Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - BADLIFEDECISION (6) finished fifth in the same race as the top pick last time out and did not help herself by making a slow start. She has bolted home in a trial here before that, and can make amends. REMLAP KAVA (3) was a beaten favourite in his first start for a new trainer at Townsville a week ago. He will be spot-on for this assignment and is ready to win at short notice. Follow your money. ZELEZNY (4) has been racing well since joining the local Ricky Vale stable and has been runner-up in his last couple of starts. The step up to 1400m is the key, and he can go one better. SUNSHINE SALLY (8) will be suited by the small field and can't be totally ruled out of filling a quinella spot.

RACE 2 - SPELLHOUND (6) will be backing up quickly should he start here after finishing sixth of 8 in a tougher field at Doomben 6 days ago. The blinkers come off, and with the advantage of a 3kg claim, he will be hard to hold out. DUKE OF LANCASTER (1) has not helped himself by making slow starts in all of his 3 starts and has been ordered back to the trials since his last run. Justin P Stanley is back in the saddle, and from the ace gate, he can put his best hoof forward here. FINE AND RARE (3) needed his fresh-up run here 10 days ago, and he is normally better with a run under his belt. He has gone close to breaking through in the past, and can figure in the top 3 this time. EMBEZZLED HEART (2) did nothing in 2 starts during the spring and was put aside for a spell. He won a recent trial as a gelding for the first time and is expected to be more competitive fresh up. Use the market as your guide.

RACE 3 - PRECISE TORQUE (1) tried hard on the Sunshine Coast poly track when making his debut just over 3 weeks ago, finishing runner-up. He will naturally improve second up and looks to be a progressive type. Hard to beat. BITTER SPIRIT (2) has been runner-up in both of his starts to date despite racing greenly under pressure. He should be spot on third up and has a tongue tie on for the first time. With the aid of a 2kg claim, he can go one better. SHEZA ALIBI (7) won a trial here before finishing second on debut 11 days ago. The quick backup is always a good sign, and from the pole position, he will be right in the finish again. Each way. VALUBIOUS (8) had no luck fresh up at Dalby when finding trouble before the final turn. She has senior hoop Adam Sewell replacing an apprentice, and is expected to improve sharply. Stick with her, especially over a more suitable 1200m.

RACE 4 - COOL ENCOUNTER (1) caught the eye with a strong late finish fresh up here 11 days ago, finishing fourth in his first start from the successful Clint Taylor stable. He will relish the extra furlong and is dropping right down in grade. Watch for him to have the last say this time. STREET GOD (5) will be peaking third up from a spell and has the winkers replacing the blinkers. He doesn't want it too wet and has top hoop Ryan Wiggins back in the saddle this time. Hard to beat. NORTHUMBRIA (4) raced up to win here 10 days ago and only peaked on his run late after hitting the front, finishing second. He is having his third start for a new trainer, and his first local win is not far away. MONEY MAN (8) has not won for some time and is meeting a very even field here. Justin Huxtable picks up the ride, and from a handy gate, the pair merits healthy respect.

RACE 5 - OUR TURN NOW (5) improved quickly from a modest run fresh up to finish second here 11 days ago, just under 2 lengths from the winner. Ryan Wiggins retains the ride, and an extra 100m will suit. He drops 3kg, and can go one better. MOKTAFFY (2) ran on too late at Toowoomba last start over 1300m and will relish the extra furlong fourth up from a spell, having won 2 of his 3 starts over this trip. Justin Huxtable is back in the saddle, and the pair can give this a shake. Each way. GET WHAT YOU GIVE (4) was attacked when leading here last start and was only claimed late inside the distance, finishing sixth as favourite. He has 100m less to travel this time and also drops 6kg. He is at his best when having an uncontested lead, and can take them all the way this time. DECIDUOUS (3) was a month between runs when chasing a hat-trick of wins here 10 days ago, and needed the hit-out. He is backing up 10 days later for this, and will be a lot sharper. Stick with him. Can win.

RACE 6 - MOMENT OF TRUTH (4) has been in good form this year and was a game third at Mackay 3 weeks ago when settling back further than expected after making an awkward beginning. Justin Huxtable picks up the ride for the first time and replaces an apprentice. Hard to beat, especially back on his home track. REPLACE THE ACE (2) finished a brave runner-up in his first run over a middle distance here 8 days ago. He raced too keenly in front that day and only faded over the last furlong. The drop back to a mile will suit, and as long as there is some cut in the ground, he can lead them all the way this time. Follow our money. ZOFFANY'S GAZE (1) has been out of form for some time and did not fire in his first start for a new local stable 10 days ago, but looked to be badly in need of that hit-out. The key here is the extra 400m, and a form reversal would be no surprise. I SAY BOOM (3) will be peaking third up and did have a slipped saddle last time out. Include in all combinations.

RACE 7 - PARADE GROUND (5) is a stablemate of the top pick who also scored fresh up on this track 4 weeks ago. He may already be looking for more ground, but if the tempo is genuine, then he can have the last say. CANNY BE BETTER (8) was only bloused right on the lone here 11 days ago over 1050m, finishing second by a nose. He drops 4.5kg third up and is ready to go one better. Stick with him. DIDDLEY SQUAT (4) has yet to miss a cheque here in 5 starts, including a win, and is at his best over this trip. He has the advantage of the pole position, and another honest effort is expected. LAST DITCH EFFORT (9) has had a couple of subtle gear changes since producing a fair run here over 1100m last start. The extra 100m is ideal, so stick with him. MENAZZI (1) is not out of this fresh up. Include in all combinations.

RACE 8 - HENRY'S BLADE (2) showed talent when trained in Victoria and made a winning North Queensland debut for his new trainer at Mackay 3 weeks ago by over 6 lengths in a dominant front-running performance. This is no harder, and he should be winning again. DEVIL DEVIL (6) resumes from a spell that would have done him the world of good. He is a very progressive gelding who will be very competitive fresh up, especially if the track is rain-affected. DUBIOUS LOVE (11) is resuming from a spell with the winkers on for the first time. She has plenty of scope and can take this out, especially if the money comes for her. MORE STYLISH (10) is proving to be hard to catch, but the talent is there. She drops to a nice weight after a 3kg claim, and can figure in the top 3 this time. TOW THE LINE (4) will be peaking third up and is worth including in all combinations to be safe.