Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - GOLD CLASSIC (1) won 2 of his 4 starts during his initial prep and had no trouble with a wet track in the last of those runs when finishing second on this track. She resumes from a short spell with a couple of subtle gear changes and can kick this campaign off on a winning note. MISTER DOOBEE (3) improved quickly from a modest debut effort to finish runner-up at Townsville 18 days ago. The step up from 1000m to 1250m is ideal, and he has the right draw to be right in the finish again. SECRET CYPHER (2) ran on strongly after settling back off a wide draw at Townsville last time out and finished second. He will also relish having an extra 250m to travel, and with a superior gate, he is ready to break through for his first win. LOUIS AUGUSTE (5) ran his best race yet when second at a Bowen picnic meeting 4 days ago. The blinkers are back on, and if he can cope with the quick backup, then he won't be far away, especially with 3.5kg less to carry. MR SHEFFIELD (4) is next best.

RACE 2 - ALMIGHTY JAB (1) has come of age this year since resuming from a spell and made it 3 wins from his last 4 starts when showing a quick turn of foot to arrive from last and score comfortably at Townsville 18 days ago. He did win over this shorter trip of 950m fresh up and can complete a hat-trick. KICKAGOAL KENNY (3) won over this trip by a nose on this track second up last prep and is resuming from a spell that would have done him the world of good. The winkers are on for the first time, and from a good draw, he can threaten the top pick, especially if the track is rain-affected. HAND GRENADE (5) is resuming from a spell and saves her best for this track. She was runner-up in a recent trial and only needs a wet track to be very competitive fresh up. GREY POWER (4) is usually thereabouts, so include in all combinations.

RACE 3 - SPIRIT MEISTER (5) is usually thereabouts and was a battling fourth behind the top pick in the same race last time out. He will appreciate being back on his home course and will likely race on the pace. Stick with him. TYCOON BEAU (4) will enjoy stepping up from 1200m to 1400m and is in a 3-horse field, he can make the exacta with the top pick. VANCOUVER BAY (6) will be nearing his peak fitness, and in a 3-horse field, he won't be too far off the pace early on. He can't be totally ruled out of winning this, especially on a wet track.

RACE 4 - TARIFF (4) has won twice at picnic level this year and was too strong at Mt Garnet nearly a fortnight ago, scoring by nearly a length. He was close up in fourth place here before that, and with 3kg less to carry this time, he can figure in the top 3 again. DOMINANT ROSE (5) finished third of 5 at Mt Garnet last time out over 1680m and may be better off over the shorter trips for now. She won here over 1500m before that and will benefit from a 2kg claim for this assignment. Stick with her, especially from the pole position. CITY OF BOULDER (3) is improving his fitness with each start back from a spell and ran on strongly from the back when finishing second at Townsville 18 days ago. Both of her wins have been on her home track here, and she can go one better. SET THE SAILS (2) has raced his way into form, and even though he has found it very hard to win another race, he does hold his form when fit. Include in all multiples. EXCITE CHOO (1) has been in top form on the picnic circuit.

RACE 5 - BARMERA (3) is a speedy gelding who usually races in front and gave a good sight in front as favourite over a mile at Townsville a month ago, before weakening out of it in the run home, finishing fifth in a 6-horse field. Dropping back to 1250m is ideal, and he could take some pegging back in this. Follow your money. CALDANTE (6) is resuming from a spell and was a recent late scratching due to some transport issues. He comes to hand quickly and found some of his best form at the backend of his last prep earlier in the year. He has a good draw and should be right in the finish. Use the market as your best guide. SPILL THE TEARS (5) resumed with a nice effort for third at a recent Mt Garnet picnic meeting and will continue to improve with racing. He showed a lot of talent earlier in his career and could be on his way back into that sort of form. Each-way. MEMPHIS SHADOW (1) was third fresh up at Townsville and is down in class here. Ryan Wiggins sticks with him, and so do we.

RACE 6 - SWATOW (1) showed some talent in Victoria and is bred to improve with time. He is having his first run of the year and is making his Queensland debut. He will eventually want more ground, but while fresh, he can take this out. Watch for him late. EXTREMELY FRILLY (5) is a lightly tried 6-year-old mare who couldn't quite crack a win when trained in NSW and was last seen at Gosford nearly 3 weeks ago, finishing fifth. She has a big chance to make a winning Queensland debut here. WAR COUNCIL (2) has changed stables since his last start at Randwick-Kensington. He has won a recent Townsville trial and is another with solid each-way claims in what should be a suitable race for him. Watch the market moves. THE KAMIKAZE (7) is an honest gelding who has been placed in 3 of his 5 starts over this trip. He could have a fitness advantage over the top 3 picks and deserves a winning turn. POINT TWO (9) is another who has changed stables recently, and from a handy gate, she is not out of this.

RACE 7 - MISSILE THUNDER (2) is a quality performer in this area, and he is racing his way into peak fitness. He finished third at Townsville 9 days ago and has a very good record here over this trip. He will be suited by the pole position, and his next win is not far away. VALENKI (7) was thereabouts in similar company earlier in the season and is usually better over more ground. He is nicely weighted and is well worth each-way consideration, especially if the money comes for him. SPEED LEGEND (1) is a very competitive veteran who went to the next level once shifting to North Queensland. He comes to hand quickly and has earned his top weight. Ryan Wiggins is in the saddle for the first time, which is always a good sign, and he can take this out fresh up. ALI'S JAB (4) resumed from a decent spell and was close up in third at a recent Innisfail picnic meeting. He normally improves quickly with racing and loves his home track. Stick with him. YOUR TOO GOOD (3) is peaking third up. Include.

RACE 8 - FAST AS STEEL (1) made a lot of progress last year after joining the local Alwyn Bailey stable and won 3 of his 6 starts during that campaign. He will be a lot stronger this year and has not missed a cheque in a couple of fresh-up starts in the past. He is the one to beat, especially after drawing the pole position. THREEBROTHERS (5) is a stablemate of the top pick who won his penultimate start here before finishing second at a recent Innisfail picnic meeting nearly 3 weeks ago. Stick with him, from a handy gate. BLEDISLOE (7) failed to fire as favourite over 1350m at a recent Mt Garnet picnic meeting after clearing his maiden status over 950m on this track before that. He is back to a more suitable sprint trip and can make amends. SUPER TWENTY THREE (4) was fourth as favourite at Mt Garnet over 1200m a fortnight ago and is now ready to put his best hoof forward. Follow your money. NOBLE ATTACK (3) is at his best on a wet track and is worth including in all combinations.