Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LADY THINKABELL (4) did a good job at the Sunshine Coast on debut after a slow start and resumed there 19 days ago and just missed - slow away again. Dolan sticks and will know her better. Fitter and the step up to the mile is certain to suit. LUNE D'EXCELLENCE (3) has been narrowly beaten twice since the shift from Newcastle. This is easier than her latest at Doomben and she can threaten with average luck from the awkward gate. TOP LEVEL (10) has pieces of form that would see her right in the finish, and she will be sharper second-up. SIX OF WANDS (5) came from the back and just missed at the Sunshine Coast. He's back on track and also has claims.
RACE 2 - FIRST EMPIRE (3) didn't have much luck on the heavy on debut and then just missed on a good surface at Doomben. That's good form and he maps well and will be fitter. The one to beat. GO MARO (4) also improved sharply at his second start beaten a nose at the Gold Coast. He will also improve off that and can be in the finish. Ditto SAVEUR (12) who resumed in the First Empire race beaten 2L. Has the blinkers on for the first time and draws well. She won't have to improve much to feature. SPOT THE AUSSIE (7) did an okay job at Doomben on debut from a wide gate. Has an awkward draw again but can get closer with better luck. In good hands and keep onside.
RACE 3 - RAGING (4) found more like his best beaten a whisker at the Sunshine Coast. Keeps the 3kg claim and has the advantage of an inside barrier. Deserves to break through. RUNAWAY TYCOON (5) has the gate speed to manage the sticky barrier and was tracking positively before the latest. Goes well at the track and is a player. ELROY (15) comes back to a sprint and is better than the form line suggests. Has a soft barrier and he can't be discounted. IONACELTIC (3) resumes and has switched from the Waller yard. He will race over further but has ability and placed his only run here. Has trialled twice and Jones' booking suggests he will be ready to go.
RACE 4 - BAD FOREST (1) resumed with a comfortable all the way win at Kilcoy in a 65 and then settled off the speed at the Sunshine Coast and was caught very wide on the turn. Has the rail today and a handy 2kg claim and fitter he can bounce back. The speedy RUSSIAN PINS (7) resumes and brings strong form from this track. She finds much easier and the 2kg claim helps with some of the weight rise. Her fresh form is okay and a forward run is on the cards. GOODES (2) has been freshened since and easy CL1 win at Gatton when he led. Draws out today but he's a chance to go on with average luck. REVALENE (3) is in the top metro yard and third up since the switch from a Victorian stable. Drops back 300m briefly refreshed and be wary of him with Lang booked.
RACE 5 - FAST FUN (10) is a leader busting to win and she will find this more suitable than Doomben. Has been kept on the fresh side and draws low today. Arrives at peak and will be tough to roll. DIVINE SOURCE (9) resumes and she led beaten a whisker at the Sunshine Coast when last seen. Has trialled well and has plenty of scope for improvement. Gollan-trained HAZ STYLES (4) was expected to win a strong form race at Toowoomba first up and was terrible (vet cleared). His effort there three back was good and he has a tongue tie on today. Briefly freshened and quick improvement is on the cards. ZOUCHASE (8) will be fitter and has more to give. Goes into the trifectas at least.
RACE 6 - Competitive. Vandyke-trained TRUMP CARD (7) has had two runs back following a heavily-bet Maiden win at Eagle Farm over a mile. He wasn't far away over 1800m last time and Jones sticking aboard is a decent push for his chances. The middle distance should be right up his alley. The Waller-trained pair both get their chance. BITOFTHEBLARNEY (4) spiked his figures narrowly beaten at Doomben stepping up to a middle distance. He's been kept up to the mark with a trial and is readu to win. Stablemate DEMARCAY (10) has switched from the Sydney barn on a 12-day return. Maps well and has the ability. MINGARDOS (8) led and found one better at the Gold Coast. He will get every chance from the soft gate and can't be ruled out.
RACE 7 - NAGAMIE (4) rated well winning a 65 at the Gold Coast first-up. He's placed 2/2 second up and Lang rides today. Well placed and is left the one to beat. DUBIOUS SIX (10) brings improving form from Toowoomba and there was only a nose in it the latest. Carries just 52.5kg with the claim and will be in the finish. BEST COFFEE (6) resumes seeking the hat-trick off country wins. He's likely to come back further improved and has won this track/distance. APRIL (5) is a former Singapore galloper who was well supported here first up but disappointed. The hoop said he didn't appreciate the heavy track so be forgiving. Has been freshened a month and he's well in the mix.
RACE 8 - LUMENS LENNY (3) is a leader who went close here and then was better again placing second in a 70 at Doomben. He will jump and run from a low gate and can go one better. DETRIMENTAL (1) is a former Kiwi who was tried at Stakes level at Eagle Farm on a 28-day turnaround and then wasn't far away here in a CL3. The colt will be fitter and is still well shy of his NZ best. Jones' booking suggests we'll see improvement. ARAMINTA (9) resumed at Doomben in better grade and it was a good effort after settling rearward. She's run well second up and has plenty up her sleeve. Keep safe. CALVARY (8) hasn't done a lot in his two runs back but his best form would have him in the finish. Has a handy gate and 2kg claim and he can go better. Goes in at a price.
