Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky. NOT A GURU (14) was quickly back on track beaten a whisker at Gatton over this distance. She has the first-time blinkers applied and will use the inside gate. Fully fit now and she can break through. AMADOR (4) is a former Victorian who resumed improved beaten just 1.6L over 1400m at Eagle Farm. He was plain at Grafton following as a short-priced favourite when stepping up to 1700m. Prepared to forgive that and this suits better. Has a handy gate and 3kg claim and rates a decent hope. AZUKI (1) had been tracking well before disappointing at the Sunshine Coast. He has the speed to position forward and gets another chance. GLISSA (10) is a city-trained improver backed off the map at Warwick last time. A cruel gate makes it tougher for her.
RACE 2 - I'M HEROIC (4) brings strong form to resumption and owns a big Doomben trial win. He will be naturally improved and will run along from an inside gate. Well-placed to be winning. OCTABOOM (11) was spelled off a promising effort at Warwick on debut. She's in good hands and is sure to have come on. Williams sticks aboard. STAPLETON (2) is a local who has trialled nicely here for his return. He has upside but the wide barrier needs managing. HE'S A WEAPON (7) is third-up and can show more over the longer sprint. Marginal claims.
RACE 3 - Waller-trained TARANAKI (3) was only beaten 2L at Doomben over a mile and then stepped up to a middle distance and delivered his Maiden win as expected. Moloney is here to stick aboard and fitter again he should find the staying trip ideal. SAVILEO (4) found more like his best at the Sunshine Coast and should appreciate the longer distance. He's likely to push forward and his best would have him right in it. SUBAQUA (5) stepped up in trip at the Sunshine Coast and spiked his figures. He will be fitter again and maps for the run of the race. In the mix. BUMP'N'RUN (10) won two back over 1900m on the poly and back on the turf should be around the mark.
RACE 4 - SONNY DAZE (1) won twice on the Gold Coast poly before finding one too good there last time. He's a leader who has won at this track and the 2kg claimer will jump him from the rails gate. The form is hard to go past. BRAVE WARRIOR (2) also runs along and missed a whisker twice before disappointing at Toowoomba as favourite. He's been freshened and gets in well with the 3kg claim. Finds easier and will get every chance to make amends. Metro-trained I AM A MARVEL (6) needed the first-up outing. He is proven second-up and maps for a soft run. Fitter he can improve into the finish. Stablemate GROOMED (5) gives away starts but has some weight relief and will proninaqnt if he brings his A-game.
RACE 5 - Tricky. CRUMPETS (3) resumes for the new yard and has switched from a top Victorian stable. She's placed fresh and she would beat the others tried runners comfortably at best. She can use an inside barrier and is in light with the 3kg claim. SHEEZ BRUTAFUL (12) debuts from an inside barrier and is metro-trained. She's trialled well at Doomben behind I'm Heroic who's fancied to win in Race 2. Has a low gate and the blinkers applied and a bold run is anticipated. QUALITY MISS (7) is a former Sydney mare who will be better second-up. Maps well and will get every chance. BUN IN THE OVEN (2) was better at Kilcoy and may control the race. He should be around the mark.
RACE 6 - CRYMENOTEARS (4) led and missed a whisker at Ipswich over this distance in stronger and then was plainer on the Gold Coast poly and prepared to forgive. She has been kept on the fresh side and the 2kg claimer will push forward. She'll take pegging back. MORE LOVE (6) resumes and will use the low barrier. She was a heavily-bet Maiden winner at Ipswich two back and was spelled off an even better effort at Eagle Farm. A bold run is anticipated. WORTHY ESSGEE (7) won three back and has been threatening since. Maps well and a top metro hoop is booked. The shorter trip will suit. IT'S HELLS BELLS (2) is fast and was as easy 55 winner at Kilcoy. Draws inside and back 100m he's sure to give a sight.
RACE 7 - LAST CHANCE SALOON (7) raced favourite second-up in a Sunshine Coast 72 and pulled up with an issue beaten 2.4L. He's since won a trial and he looks back on track. Has the first-time blinkers applied and rates to go close for the sharp barn. SALT LAKE BETTY (12) found more like her best beaten 2L at Doomben. She's trialled there since and gets in light under the race conditions. Has strong winning claims with average luck from the awkward barrier. POLE POSITION (8) resumed with a solid effort at Ipswich and is proven second-up. He's in a top metro barn and maps for a soft run. Rates well enough at best. FAMOUS PEDRILLE (2) has switched from a Sydney stable on a 36-day return. Owns an easy trial win and has pieces of the form that would see him very competitive.
RACE 8 - Plenty of chances. THE CATCH (1) has been racing in stronger grade and coming back to a sprint should suit. He has an awkward barrier and the 3kg claim brings him into it. THREE GONGS (7) is in a top metro yard and can show more third-up. He has plenty up the sleeve and has been kept on the fresh side. Races forward and has decent each-way claims. BADGERS NUTS (3) resumes and is proven fresh. He will push forward and has won 2/3 this track/trip. A player as well. LA PITTRICE (11) finally draws an inside gate and Stanley is a positive jockey booking. Peaks and is better than the form line suggests.
RACE 9 - HAYAKU (4) is busting to win and is well placed with the 3kg claim. He should have the speed to clear the awkward gate and gets his chance. PARUES (8) is fast and he should make short work of the wide barrier. He improved again narrowly beaten at Warwick as favourite and the 3kg claim is handy. City-trained and is a player. JUBILANT (15) will be better for the first up outing. She maps for a soft run and has more to give. Huxtable is a positive jockey switch. PASSIONATE REBEL (1) resumes and is a chance if presented on-song. He has an awkward gate so will need a touch of luck.
