Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The babies kick us off. COOL MOON (7) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up in both starts to date and was well in the betting on both occasions. Gets the services of Williams in the irons and where there's smoke there's fire. Should be right there when the whips are cracking. The well-related DAMIEN (1) (half to Listed winner and G2 placed Insurrection) was a touch disappointing last time out but the two runs prior were good enough to feature in a race like this. Can bounce back. ROYAL CHIC (6) also hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner Royal Merchant) and has been right there in both outings to date. Drawn to get a gun run in transit from gate two and has top-three aspirations. OVAL OFFICE (2) got the maiden out of the way on debut and will have taken some confidence from that victory. Can go back-to-back to start the career. WORTHY ENUFF (4) next in line with the claim.
RACE 2 - Former NSW galloper MAKE A CALL (3) is having his first run for the new stable but wasn't disgraced in Group 3 level before the lengthy spell and will find this assignment much more to his liking. Tuned up for this with two recent trials and gets the deadly Gollan/Maloney combination. Can finally shed the maiden tag here. CLIODHNA MAEVE (5) resumes here but the form she has shown in previous campaigns is good enough to be competitive in this. Can run a big race while fresh. SIGLO DE ORO (4) has placed over this distance range and gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim. In the mix. DARE TO LOVE (6) rounds out the selections in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 3 - BRUTAL ADVANCE (4) has just run into one better in both starts this campaign and strikes a very winnable contest here. Will be near his peak now third-up from the spell and gets gun hoop Williams in the saddle from the low draw. Should be going very close. ABENDER (1) has placed at his past couple including a solid third over this track and trip two back. Rates a serious contender. BOOM BREAK (3) is facing the starter for the first time but has shown ability at the trials and is sure to be well-educated from the Gollan yard. Keep very safe. MELTDOWN (8) wasn't too far off them on debut before being tipped out for time to furnish. Can feature with natural improvement. RUNAWAY TYCOON (10) has placed in the past couple and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside marble. In the mix.
RACE 4 - FAST FUN (8) has hit the frame in all three career outings and this is not an overly strong affair. Rider Beriman has been in the saddle for two of those efforts and sticks today. Has the talent to test this line-up. The well-related AMUSEANTES (1) (half to G1 winner Startantes) is at the races for the first time but has looked handy winning both trials and comes out of an astute barn. Respect any market confidence. CIPHERTEXT (6) has finished runner-up in four of five starts to date and looks to be on the doorstep of a maiden victory. Top-three candidate. FOR BETTER (9) also hails from a strong family (full to G1 winner Port Lockroy) and will strip fitter second-up from the spell. Include in calculations. BALANCE THE BOOKS (3) next in line from the Gollan camp.
RACE 5 - I AM UNSTOPPABLE (3) has been plying his trade in much harder Sydney and Melbourne contests and will appreciate the sharp drop back in grade here. Has only missed a drum once in five attempts over this distance range and gets Maloney on from the inside alley. Ticks plenty of boxes. HERMANITA (10) goes very well for jockey Fenlon who has four wins and six placings from just 12 steers and again gets the benefit of her 2kg claim. Has to be included. HEMAN (13) is one from one around this circuit and gets Williams on board from the favourable draw. Can run a race while fresh.
RACE 6 - It's hard to knock the form of KILNA (11) who has hit the top-four in all six starts to date including stringing back-to-back wins together before the spell. Revved up for this with two recent trial hit-outs and only needs some luck navigating from the wide draw to be playing a major role in the outcome. HULKAMANIA (1) has been racing very consistently on the Gold Coast poly surface and has earned his shot at this level. Good enough to score again. MISS CHENERY (9) is one from one over this course and distance and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Respect from the Waller yard. NEW JOY (2) has won three of her past four, draws the inside alley and gets 2kg off with the claim. Plenty to like about her prospects. SMART AS SMART (10) is usually thereabouts and is a must for the multiples.
RACE 7 - Looks a wide open contest. ADDITION (14) looked good winning at Ipswich when resuming before running into a couple better there last time out. Has a win and a placing from three attempts over this distance range and gets Williams on board to assist with the carpark draw. Looks well placed. Former Godolphin galloper RESTONICA (2) has been right there in all three runs since joining the new stable and will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the break. Expecting a bold showing. POSEIDON RULER (5) has hit the top-five in seven of his past eight starts and is usually thereabouts. Top-three commodity. CINQUE TERRE (3) didn't measure up in Listed company last time out but the form prior was full of merit. Worth another chance. I AM A MARVEL (4) is a last-start winner who shouldn't be slept on.
RACE 8 - Cracking contest to close out the card. HEADHUNTER (4) finished second at Eagle Farm on debut before getting the maiden win on the board here before the spell. Has since been given time to mature and looks a runner with plenty of upside. Can return a victor. The well-related TURN THE CORNER (3) (half to G1 winner Royal Merchant) broke the maiden status at the latest outing and will have derived a bunch of confidence from that win. Maloney sticks in the stirrups and may run a big race again. KING BOOM (5) was heavily supported last time out and didn't let backers down. Can go back-to-back. KIWI SPIRIT (6) has a win and a second from two attempts at this six-furlong journey and will strip fitter second-up from the break. In the mix. FACUNDO (9) best of the rest while fresh.