Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ANDREA (1) comes here with a massive fitness edge over most of these. Up in trip when chipped away late to finish fourth over 1205m at Coffs Harbour. Prefer over this trip and gets his chance with the claim. ZHONGXIN KOALA (6) looks one of the leading prospects third up. Jumped in grade when a fading sixth over 1350m at Doomben. Tempo suits and will be attacking the line strongly. LADY TUATARA (10) is a filly by The Autumn Sun out of Lahana on debut for the Jordan Lee yard. Her last two trials were okay, and the blinkers go on. Respect. SECRET ROSE (11) resumes after the two good minor placings at the Sunshine Coast. Worth thought.
RACE 2 - LA POTENZA (9) sent north for her debut when a solid on pace third over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast. Should improve sharply with that run and gets the gun run in this easier contest. JIMMY'S BROTHER (2) Zousain gelding from an Easy Rocking mare on debut for the Vandyke stable. Ran a respectable second in an 850m trial at the Sunshine Coast inner track. Finds a winnable race. STEFFI ELECTRICA (11) nice type who comes here with fitness on her side. Will find this more to her liking after running on late when fifth over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast. Each way type. I AM STEFFI (8) knocked up late from the wide gate on debut when a gritty fourth over 1015m at Coffs Harbour. Backs up quickly and gets a much better run. COME ON GLAMOUR (7) resumes after being outclassed when eighth in the LR Calaway Gal over 1200m at Eagle Farm last April. Capable of taking this out.
RACE 3 - BEER BARON (1) first run in this region he chipped away late when sixth over 1215m at Coffs Harbour. Fitter now and he gets a much better set up from the barrier. INSINUATE (4) has come back a stronger filly this time in and gets a sharp drop in weight today with Newman's claim. Gave her all to the line when knabbed late to finish third over 1550m at Murwillumbah. In leading yard and better placed for this. MONARCH EXPRESS (7) raced closer to the speed when finished off strongly for a sound fourth over 1100m me at Scone. Ready for this trip third up. COSMIC COCO (3) first run for the Samantha McGuren yard after coming up from Victoria. Lone win came at this trip and must be respected.
RACE 4 - FULL OF SINCERITY (1) tough on pace stayer who maps to get the right run. Nailed late with the 60kg when a close second over 2020m in the Murwillumbah Cup Preview. Senior rider booked and doesn't have to improve much to win this. NATURE BOY (3) pulled up with a poor post recovery rate after working hard early from the outside gate when a fading eighth over 2500m at Ipswich. Gets a much better run today and saves his best for this track. SHERRIFF CODY (4) nearing his peak after catching the eye late when a solid fourth over 2020m at Murwillumbah. Has the figures to take this out. STYLEBENDER (5) racing in career best form and deserves his chance in this harder race. Has won over the 2100m and adept in all conditions. CASCADE MOUNTAIN (6) looks the pick of the rest on the quick back-up.
RACE 5 - FANTASTIC BEAST (2) twelve start maiden set to get off the mark. Motored late from back in the field when a game third over 1600m at Tamworth. Looker retains the ride and no excuses here. GOLD PUMA (13) improving filly with her hoof on the till. Looks to map well after she wound up strongly to finish second over 1509m at Port Macquarie. Capable of winning this. FLEE WITH ME (12) has made rapid improvement at her last two runs and gets a more economical run here. Will get the trip and take a hand in the finish. DUNDEE TALES (1) fourth run back today and the 1720m shouldn't pose a problem. Anywhere near his best can see him run into the minor money. STAR OF KONGO (9) returns from a forty-seven-day let-up. Since had the two searching 1000m trials and assess on his good second last start.
RACE 6 - LUCIFER'S WAY (1) progressive gelding who can go on with it now after shedding his maiden status at start three over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast. Gets the right set up again in a winnable race. CHAMPONNET (4) kicked off the campaign with a dominant win in the heavy going. Sent to town at latest when a fading tenth over 1200m at Doomben. This looks easier with the claim. Top three prospect. NO RAGRETS (8) gets further weight relief with the claim and comes here deep into his prep. Assess on his good maiden win two back. CITY GOLD SPEED (2) did just enough to break through last start but is only lightly raced and open to further improvement.
RACE 7 - STAR PREDICTION (1) was rewarded for his consistency when a dominant maiden winner over 1208m at Port Macquarie. Shae Wilkes sticks, and the claim will come in handy again. Goes close. DASHING BASICS (4) comes down from the Gold Coast after progressing well in four career runs. Got out late when a good second over 1100m at Ipswich. Gets a similar set up for this and the extra trip will help his cause. PRIVATE EQUITY (7) rounded them up convincingly at her second run back when scoring over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast. Has upside and sure to be thereabouts. SO YOU CAN TORQUE (6) returns from a lengthy break with a good fresh record. Fitted with the two even trials and look for him late. ALL TOO WILD (9) progressive filly resuming for the Tracey Bartley yard. Will hold a forward position from the draw and her latest trial win had merit.
RACE 8 - MAXIMUM VORTEX (2) due for a change of luck and has excellent credentials over this course and distance. The early effort told late from the draw when a tiring third over 1200m at the Gold Coast. Five of his seven wins have come at this course and looks hard to beat. THE FACE (1) tough gelding who indicated he was back to his best when a gritty second with the 64kg over 1008m at Port Macquarie. Has the ability to overcome the sticky gate. YENDY (9) underrated mare who looks well suited back to the 1190m. Three weeks between runs when going under narrowly to run second over 1305m at Coffs Harbour. In leading yard and wining rider sticks. ZARU (7) retains his zest for racing and chasing his fourth win from his last five starts. Won with plenty up the sleeve at Taree last time out and has each way claims. THE ASTRONOMER (4) resumes with solid fresh credentials and proven over this track and trip. Had the two searching trials and worth plenty of thought.
RACE 9 - Tough way to end the day. JEWELS STATEMENT (2) will find this more to her liking with the drop in weight and the winkers going on. Trained locally and was six weeks between runs when a disappointing last over 1125m here. Kept fresh again and assess on her good victory here three back. Each way chance. SO ROSIE (8) going nicely through her grades and chasing her fourth straight win. Returned a good set of figures on resumption when a determined nose winner over 1000m at Tamworth. Can progress to this level with the right run. WHAT A RUSH (12) exciting filly who will need a good ride from the draw today. Demolished her rivals by 5 lens over 1208m at Port Macquarie. Goes close if she can get early cover. RETHINK IT (13) down sharply in weight and trip and has each way claims in this tougher contest. Not to be discounted. CRITICAL TIME (1) is a consistent gelding resuming. Maps to get the right run and can produce fresh. The chances don't end there.
