Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - THAT'S IT (1) returned in fine fashion with a strong win over this track and trip, and winning hoop Taylor stays in the irons. Will have come on with that victory in the locker and looks very hard to toss against this line-up. GREY POWER (3) has hit the top-five in all five outings this preparation and draws the inside alley with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. LITTLE IFFY (6) strips fitter third-up from the spell and has a handy 2kg claim. Has to be considered. NAPOLEON STRIKE (4) has been racing well at the non-Tabs, and Stanley replaces the apprentice. Keep onside.
RACE 2 - SMALL TOWN HUSSLER (2) has placed around this circuit and gets a jockey upgrade in the form of Wiggins in the stirrups. Doesn't need to improve much to be playing a major role in the outcome. VALUBIOUS (5) wasn't too far away when having the first run for the new stable and strikes a winnable contest here. Include in calculations. DRAGON TALES (1) just missed the frame on debut and will have derived a stack of benefit from that race day experience. Top-three candidate. GYMNOSOMATA (8) will find this easier than the recent Rockhampton effort and can feature from the low draw. FABULEAN (7) rounds out the selections.
RACE 3 - LOOMING ONE (5) has a handy record around this circuit with a win and five placings from eight attempts and is rarely far away from the winner. Has placed two from two over this track and trip and gets Wiggins on top from the inside marble. Should make his presence felt. THE HONEY BADGER (4) returned with a solid win here and looks ready for the step-up to the seven-furlong journey. Looms as the main danger. FOURSOMES (7) saluted here when resuming and Cormack sticks in the saddle. Has to be included. MAJESTIC BLAZE (9) only needs some luck from the wide draw to play a role in the finish. READY TIGER (1) best of the rest with Kliese on board.
RACE 4 - MEMPHIS SHADOW (3) disappointed when heavily bet at Cairns, but his form here both starts prior stacks right up. Keeps the top hoop and draws inside. Proven third-up and is ready to win. ULTIMATE (11) is a danger, building on his near miss here first-up. He'd come off a strong CL1 win over a mile and is sure to have come on. Draws awkwardly, but rates a danger. GOING NUCLEAR (7) is up to this at best, but he needed the first-up outing. He has a handy 2kg claim today and maps for a soft on-pace run. Strips fitter and can make the finish. BEAUTY BOOM (2) may run them along and can show more fourth-up. Suited back in class with a 3kg claim and the longer sprint suits.
RACE 5 - BOOMING LAD (4) won a 70 here and then narrowly missed the hat-trick at Mackay. Gets in light this grade with a 2kg claim atop and is suited back to the shorter sprint. Races forward and is the one to beat. NORTHERN EXPRESS (2) resumes and has switched from the Michael Nolan yard at Toowoomba. Brings strong metro form and was last seen in the Listed Weetwood Handicap. Has a handy 2kg claim and has won twice fresh. The betting will be key. YOUR TOO GOOD (5) peaks and has won 2/3 this track/trip. Maps well, and carries a feather with the 3kg claim. She has claims. MISSILE THUNDER (1) is hard-fit and just missed at Cairns following the placing here, both at this level. He flies at the track and also deserves consideration.
RACE 6 - Competitive. SUPER FREEZE (2) switched yards and looked a run short here first-up. Gets Stanley aboard today, and he's a second-up winner with the early dash to clear the awkward barrier. Strips fitter and will be hard to peg back. GABBY'S READY (8) missed narrowly following her Maiden win and then found the grade too tough last time. She runs along and can get back on track. THE KAMIKAZE (6) went close here as favourite and then spaced the Maidens at Cairns. He can keep improving and deserves plenty of consideration. RED SHIRAZ (11) resumes for the new stable, and the blinkers come off. Hasn't won for a while but may be tuned up, aqd has some ability. A betting watch.
