Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The maidens kick us off. Former Victorian DAWN EMBERS (5) has hit the frame in both runs since joining the new stable and looks to be working up to a maiden victory. Will find this assignment easier than what he faced down south and rates the testing material against this lot. RUM RUMBLE (4) has hit the top-five at his past five outings and draws perfectly for Wiggins in gate two. Looms as the main danger. EXTREMELY FRILLY (1) is unlucky to still be a maiden placing in 11 of 16 overall and strikes a winnable contest here. Can finally break through. RAVENITE (3) strips fitter third-up from the spell and may earn some minor money. BADLIFEDECISION (6) has placed four from six around this circuit and can trouble the judge with any luck from the outside draw.
RACE 2 - THE BRILL BUILDING (6) has been heavily supported in all four runs since joining the new stable and where there's smoke there's fire. Will be rock-hard fit for this and should give backers a sight. ODEGAARD (2) has been plying his trade in harder NSW and Victorian contests and will find this assignment much more to his liking. Gets the services of Stanley in the irons to navigate from the sticky draw and rates a genuine top-three contender. MOON OVER MATILDA (9) saves her best form for this six-furlong journey and cannot be left out of calculations. ALBANIAN BAY (7) strips fitter third-up from the spell and can improve enough to feature. THE KRONE (5) next in line from the inside alley.
RACE 3 - COLE'S BEST (1) didn't measure up at Listed level before the spell but the form prior was good enough for a race of this nature. Has revved up for this with a recent trial and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. CRIMSON DECIPHER (4) may have suffered from the dreaded second-up syndrome last time out but go on the strong Rockhampton win when resuming. Has a win and a placing from two spins around this circuit and should be going very close. I'M STELLAR (7) has been right there in both runs this campaign and will be ready to peak now third-up from the spell. In the mix. ROTHFURY (3) grows a leg for hoop Satherley who has two wins and four placings from just eight steers. Hard to ignore. ZELEZNY (9) doesn't win out of turn but is usually thereabouts and looks one for the multiples.
RACE 4 - ROTHWEILER (11) shed the maiden tag in impressive fashion over this track and trip last time out and will have derived a stack of confidence from that breakthrough victory. Winning rider Cartwright stays on top and can go back-to-back without surprising. BO BO BEWARE (9) loves it here at Mackay with a win and six placings from just eight starts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Has to be included. GRAECI (13) strips fitter third-up from the spell and gets in well at the weights with the claim. In the mix. BLAZERRO (2) is a former NSW galloper who should find this task a touch easier. Respect any push in betting. SAVVY SOVEREIGN (1) gets 3kg off from the favourable draw and may make his presence felt.
RACE 5 - MORDECAI (1) is a very consistent conveyance who has remarkably hit the top-five in 19 of his past 20 starts and doesn't know how to put in a poor one. Has placed four from four at this track and should be right there when the whips are cracking. KINGS CASTLE (3) got a well-deserved victory at the latest outing and will have taken some confidence from that dominant win. Top-three candidate. VANCOUVER BAY (2) is yet to miss a drum in three starts around this circuit and is sure to give a big sight. CARACRISTI (10) is a winner around this circuit and draws the inside alley. In the mix on best form. ORCA (6) is much better than that first-up effort suggests and can bounce right back.
RACE 6 - DECIDUOUS (8) has hit a purple patch of form with four wins and three seconds from his past eight efforts and is racing with a lot of confidence of late. Is one from one over this track and trip and looks the one they all have to run down. ARCHER'S GAME (10) is a very honest conveyance who looks ready for the step-up to the 1800m journey now. Include in calculations. SIR GRACE (5) strips fitter third-up from the break and may feature in the finish with any luck in running from the car park draw.. AIMPOINT (2) will find this easier than recent NSW outings and looks one for the exotics players. CAFFREY (3) is a last-start winner who shouldn't be underestimated.
RACE 7 - The $75,000 Newmarket. EARLY FUSION (9) goes well for hoop Apel who has five wins and a placing from just seven rides and has been racing in a rich vein of form this campaign. Has only missed a drum once in seven spins around this circuit and should be right there when the judge calls a halt. REAL KEY (8) has three wins and a second from five attempts over this track and trip and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. One of the chief contenders. SLIPPIN' JIMMY (3) strips fitter second-up from the break and must be respected from the Vandyke barn. Top-three candidate on best form. BOOMING LAD (12) is four from four when Semmens is in the saddle and shouldn't be underestimated. MASTER MONTARO (4) rounds out the selections in a cracking contest.
RACE 8 - The consistent HENRY'S BLADE (2) is two from two around this circuit and is drawn to get a gun run in transit from the inside marble. Expected to be right there at the business end again. OUR TURN NOW (6) got the job done at Townsville last time out and gun jockey Wiggins stays on board here. Hard to ignore winning form. GOING NUCLEAR (10) has won two of his past three and has only missed a drum once in four attempts over this distance range. Shapes as a prime contender in this contest. DEALING'S DONE (14) will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the spell and cannot be discounted. ENTREPRENEURIAL (9) is a last-start victor that shouldn't be forgotten.
