Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MR TADASHI (2) peaks and is an improver from a top metro barn. He found one 7L too good last time but covered the others. Stepping up to the middle distance will suit. Has the first-time winkers applied and can go one better. SMELTER (3) improved at Ipswich and then found a place on the poly. Has a handy 2kg claim and is also a winning chance, LADY PARVATI (6) just missed at Toowoomba three back over this trip and be forgiving the poly run last time. Running out of chances but if she brings her A-game he's up to this. MAJESTIC ANGEL (7) is at her best over this distance and can improve on the first-up effort over 1400m.
RACE 2 - SIX MORE SONGS (12) is first-up for the premier metro barn. She was backed off the map here on debut and was immediately spelled. She owns a tidy Doomben trial and will be naturally improved. Draws wide but is likely to be too good regardless. FIFTH MAJOR (7) trialled well and had plenty of betting support at the Sunshine Coast on debut and faded from the front. She pulled up with an issue but is back after 18 days so all must be in order. She will use the low barrier and is worth another chance. CASUAL MAN (1) found a place at Gatton first up and can build on that. Has an awkward barrier but Huxtable sticking aboard is a positive. Goes in at a big price. Ditto TUANAKI CREEK (2) who missed a nose in the bush but best to measure his chances on the narrow defeat three back this track and trip. Has been kept on the fresh side but also needs a good ride.
RACE 3 - PALEFACE RINGO (1) was spelled off two heavily backed near misses. The big money came again first-up and he was beaten a nose at Toowoomba. He will run along from an inside barrier and the longer sprint will suit. Fitter and can go one better. CARRAVILLA (4) went close at Doomben on debut and then was spelled off a try in Stakes grade at Eagle Farm. Connections must have an opinion and she will be naturally improved. Owns a solid trial and the first time blinkers are applied signalling intent. The betting will be key. JOY A PLENTY (5) resumed winning an Open 3 at Toowoomba. Ran a competitive figure and can keep improving. MISHANI SUSPECT (3) needs to find more but looks best of the rest.
RACE 4 - FREE AS THE WIND (9) is an improver from the Waller yard and drops back to a sprint following a 29-day freshen. She maps for the run of the race and her provincial form in Victoria more than stacks up. Orman's booking adds to the confidence. GOLDEN SUN (13) resumes for a sharp metro yard with the first time blinkers applied. That signals intent and she's likely to return much improved. LARUSSO (4)resumes for the Bruce barn and owns a Doomben trial win. Has an awkward barrier but the scratchings bring him into it. CHAYSE'N' THE KING (8) needs to lift but she will be fitter and could be best of the rest.
RACE 5 - Vandyke-trained LUTON HOO (6) was scratched at Doomben Wednesday from a winnable race. The mare was quickly back on track leading and winning a 58 at the Sunshine Coast and Callow rides replacing the 3kg apprentice. She will run along and should have them covered. NEW JOY (10) has been narrowly beaten at Toowoomba at her last three starts. Jones replaced the 1.5kg apprentice and will position her forward from an inside barrier. She has claims. BLUE CHIP GIRL (8) profiles similarly off a win and two close-up finishes at Toowoomba. Mallyon replaced the 3kg apprentice and she maps for the run of the race. TWYFORD (2) resumed at Doomben and needed the run. He's won 2/5 second-up and enjoys the track. He's in the mix.
RACE 6 - ARISTELLA (7) missed a nose here three back and quickly bounced back last time when narrowly beaten at Doomben over this distance. She maps better today and Callow staying aboard is a decent push for her chances. Peaks and will be tough to beat. POWER ACE (3) led and won her Maiden here as expected and then ran along in a CL1 at the Sunshine Coast and offered little in the closing stages. She's better than that and gets some key gear switches. Has to run out the mile but she's in the premier metro barn and Jones goes aboard replacing the 3kg apprentice. MAURIZMA (2) has needed the two runs this preparation in better class and 21% stable striker Mallyon rides for the first time. She's proven third-up and can't be ruled out. CHERBOURG (1) peaks off a placing on the poly and is in the mix.
RACE 7 - Cpmpetitive. SCHMOOZER (1) resumes off three placed efforts at Eagle Farm and has been fitted out with two trials. He's placed 2/3 fresh and is 1/1 this course/distance. Has a handy 2kg claim and should go close. TRES REDOUTE (11) has been within range and has weight relief. She has been kept on the fresh side and is suited back to 1200m. Orman rides and that's a push. REMLAPS ANGEL (9) peaks and will be better for the outing here following an easy Poly win. She will push forward and the extra metres are likely to suit. MEAN APPROACH (5) deserved the CL1 win at the Gold Coast and will push forward from the awkward gate. He also has claims.
RACE 8 - QUEST OF QUESTS (7) resumes with a tidy placing and the extra metres suit. He has more up his sleeve and races well at the track. Rates well and Maloney's booking is a decent push for his chances. HARD TO DISMISS (12) resumes and has switched from a NSW barn. Owns a trial win and KWT is a positive jockey booking. She raced well at the back of the previous preparation and no surprise to see her presented forward this time around. KEWELL (3) delivered an overdue Maiden win at Toowoomba stepping up to this distance and it was a decent effort from a wide gate. Draws awkwardly again but he is capable of sitting handier. The 3kg claim brings him into it. LITTLE SPARK (14) has a senior hoop on today and is capable of better.
