Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - GOLDEN OCTAVIAN (2) resumes off two tidy, heavily bet efforts at the track. He's sure to have come on, and Wiggins sticking aboard is a decent push for his chances. Uses the rail and will take beating. POINT TWO (6) switched from a Beaudesert stable and folded up from the front here two weeks ago. She was on a 26-day return and will present fitter. She's likely to stick on a lot better.ITCHEDINMANHATTAN (3) led and disappointed third-up, but she went close here the two prior, over this distance. Peaks, and she is worth another chance. FOREHAND DRIVE (5) debuts and is likely to have more ability than the trail finish suggests.
RACE 2 - TIMINCA (6) resumed for the new yard 44 days ago and faded late after stalking the speed. Draws awkwardly, but Wiggins is a key jockey engagement and the Showtime gelding is likely to be much sharper today. NOOSHBAHOOSH (11) debuts for the in-form Walsh stable and owns a 1.5L Rockhampton trial win. She also draws wide, but looks to have plenty of ability. AMELIA'S PRINCE (1) debuts for the Rowe yard and hasn't been seen at the trials. He has the inside barrier and the blinkers applied. Profiles well, and the betting will be key. LOUIS AUGUSTE (3) went well at Bowen two back and will be around the mark.
RACE 3 - SKOGAFOSS (5) missed a whisker here three back and bounced back his latest winning a 60 at Gordonvale. Has the inside barrier and is likely to keep improving. VANCOUVER BAY (4) found more like his best beaten a half length here in better class. Races forward and is ready to win. TYCOON BEAU (1) found a place in the same race, backed off the map. May not have enjoyed the wet track and Wiggins sticks aboard. Has to lug 64.5kg but can't be ruled out. THE REAL THING (3) is proven third-up and tumbles in grade. His best would see him in the finish.
RACE 4 - SWATOW (6) switched from a top Victorian yard and looked a run short here first-up. Brought Bendigo and Geelong placings to that and will appreciate the longer sprint. The blinkers come off, and he'd have these well covered at best. REMLAP KAVA (4) went close when heavily bet at Home Hill off nose defeats at Rockhampton and Mackay. Draws inside and comes back to a shorter sprint. Deserves another chance. SECRET BOOM (5) was plainer at Mackay, but his form prior would have him around the mark. He's on a quick backup. SPIRITED (8) has a couple of key gear changes and is capable of better.
RACE 5 - AMNESTY (5) was back on track when beaten 1L in a 65 at Townsville. Keeps the top hoop and maps for a soft run. Fully fit now, and she can go on with the job. VALENKI (3) finished hard to miss a whisker here first-up in stronger. Carries more weight, but he has more to give and should go close. VIBURNUM (6) resumed in Open grade at Mt Isa and found one better. Ran some nice races last preparation at this level on the turf, and he rides the speed. Proven second up and don't underestimate. LOUD NOISE (4) resumed in the Valenki race and was also nudged out. The veteran also carries plenty of weight but should be around the mark.
RACE 6 - CITY OF BOULDER (3) brings a string of placings, and Wiggins staying aboard is a decent push for his chances. The extra metres won't pose a problem and she maps for a soft run. She can go one better. PEROVIC (1) has switched from the Matt Dunn yard in NSW on a 22-day return. His last six starts have all been in town, and four back he was beaten a whisker in a CL5 at Doomben over a mile. He's been scratched from an earlier race, and the 2kg claim brings him into it. HEARSAY (5) went close in a 65 at Mackay over this distance at Mackay and impressed winning at Barcaldine prior over a sprint. The rail should advantage her, and she's on a quick backup. In the mix. PREMIUM STAR (4) turned the immediate form around, belting the 58 graders here by 3.5L. Any cut out of the ground suits him.
RACE 7 - CHOIR BOY (9) resumed this grade at Townsville and needed the outing. He went back three weeks following, and missed a whisker in a 70 over this distance. He rides the speed and tumbles in weight at this level. Strips fitter, and the speedy galloper can go one better. VINCENZO (8) resumes and has switched from a NSW barn. He's proven fresh and would win this at best. Uses the rail and gets in well with the 2kg claim. STATS (4) has threatened this grade at Townsville at his last two and has a key jockey switch to Wiggins. Draws awkwardly, but can't be ruled out. LETMELETGO (2) draws inside and may be the one to control the race. He was outgraded at Rockhampton last time, but his form prior stacks up. He's sure to give a sight.
RACE 8 - LUCKY LENI (2) delivered the CL1 at Gordonvale building on the nose defeat here first-up. Four winners have come out of that, and the former Deagon-trained galloper can keep improving. Has decent claims at each-way odds. SUPER TWENTY THREE (4) went close twice before coming back in trip and delivering a CL3 win at the track as expected. The longer sprint won't bother, and the top jockey stays aboard. Draws awkwardly, but will likely push forward and should go close. MOEGREEN (6) resumes off a 55 win at Innisfail over 1500m. He was heavily bet and is likely to come back further improved. Needs a good ride, but the early market suggests he's pleasing. PENNYPACKER (1) seeks the hat trick. This looks tougher, but it's hard to knock the form.
