Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SETHFIRE (2) is knocking on the door of a maiden victory placing at the past couple of outings and strikes a very winnable contest here. Has placed over this track and trip and draws perfectly for Mallyon in gate three. Rates the testing material. PAPAL WARS (1) is unlucky to still be a maiden placing in six of 12 overall starts and should be ready to peak now third-up from the spell. Looms as the main danger. PURE THOUGHTS (8) has gotten better with each run since joining the new stable and gets the services of gun hoop Maloney in the irons. Top-three credentials. Former Victorian ORMOND ROAD (6) has been thereabouts in both local efforts and may earn some minor money. ABOVEFORTY (4) next in line from the Waller yard.
RACE 2 - Tricky race to line up with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade SMEXY (12) just ran into one better at Eagle Farm on debut and is sure to have derived a stack of benefit from that race day experience. Hoop Brooker was in the irons for that first-up placing and stays on top here. Can go one better. CERTIFIED COPY (1) wasn't disgraced in a rich maiden when at the races for the first time before being tipped out for time to furnish. Has since tuned up for this with two recent trials and can run a race while fresh. TIDAL POINT (14) didn't measure up in Group 3 company last start but will find this easier. SNITZSTREAM (13) can improve sharply with the blinkers going on after a lacklustre debut. Don't dismiss.
RACE 3 - MISSILE ONE (4) loves it here around this circuit with two wins and three placings from just six starts and will be high on confidence following that last-start victory. Winning rider Lloyd stays on top and should be going very close again. TALTARNI FIELDS (1) resumes here but is yet to miss the top-two in three fresh attempts and gets some weight relief with the 2kg claim. Looms as the main danger. CROWN GUINEA (7) has placed over this course and distance and should get a cosy run from the inside alley. Top-three contender. PORT ERIN (5) strips fitter second-up from the spell and gets Maloney on board. Can trouble the judge.
RACE 4 - LUCIFER'S WAY (2) is facing the starter for the first time but has shown plenty of ability winning the past four trials and Callow stays on top for race day. Sure to be right up to the mark from the Vandyke stable and a strong first-up showing would not surprise. Stablemate OSCAR BOOIE (3) is another at the races for the first time but looked handy placing in a recent trial and gets the services of Maloney in the saddle. Keep very safe. GOLDEN CROSS (1) only narrowly went down in a recent trial and any market confidence must be noted. ABSINTHE CAT (5) has placed over this track and trip and gets 2kg off with the claim. Can feature while fresh.
RACE 5 - Former NSW galloper DARK GLEAM (3) is having his first run for the new stable but should find this easier than what he faced down south. Is yet to miss a drum in four efforts over this six-furlong journey and can make his presence felt. MAJOR LOOK (4) broke the maiden status around this circuit last time out and will have taken a bunch of confidence from that victory. Can go back-to-back. BOLD JULIUS (2) will strip fitter third-up from the break and gets 3kg weight relief with the claim. Shouldn't be underestimated. CALVARY (7) returns and is a noted fresh performer. Jockey/Trainer combo reads favourably. Have to take seriously.
RACE 6 - Key scratchings have completely changed the complexion of this contest. MISS MERCY (13) shed the maiden tag when resuming. Is sure to have come on with that run under her belt and will be full of confidence. Can go back-to-back to start the preparation. KELANOA (11) chased soundly into the frame when resuming at Gatton. Strips fitter and gets Melbourne Cup winning hoop Dolan on top. May trouble the judge with any luck from the draw. RETAINER (4) caught there eye here fresh when closing off strongly into a midfield finish. Better for the hitout and will appreciate the added trip. Don't take lightly. DIBBA DOBBA (10) carries a fitness edge and has been threatening. Don't underestimate.
RACE 7 - TRUMP CARD (6) finally got the maiden out of the way before the spell in a confidence-building performance. Has placed four from six over this distance range and can run a big race while fresh. STARSONUS (2) is an honest commodity who has only missed a drum once in seven career outings. Yet to miss a place in three attempts over this journey and can make his presence felt against this line-up. NOBLE DECREE (5) strips fitter third-up from the break and gets winning rider Callow back on deck. In the mix. INTRUDER (7) is a last-start winner who shouldn't be slept on.
RACE 8 - Open race to close out the card. LA COMETA (8) wasn't disgraced at Listed level two back before not being too far away at the most recent Ipswich effort. Has a win and two placings from four spins around this circuit and should find this easier than the past few outings. Finds the right race this time and can salute. BOLD TYRANT (16) has hit the top-four in seven of his past eight starts and rarely puts in a poor one. A must for the multiples. METCALFE (4) hit the line with purpose when resuming at Ipswich. Plenty more to come. SWIFT SON (13) next in line with the 2kg claim.
