Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LADY WARDELL (3) got a well-deserved win last time out and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Can make it back-to-back. GENTLE PRINCE (4) wasn't too far off them at the latest effort and the two wins prior were full of merit. Top-three candidate on best form. DEEP BLAST (6) gets in light with the claim and may earn some minor money.
RACE 2 - EASTOWN (4) went down by a narrow margin in town last time out and will appreciate the drop in grade here. Is one from one over this course and distance and should be right there at the business end. JOHNNY DASH (1) has placed two from three around this circuit and should get all the favours from the inside alley. Looms as the main danger. WANDA'S OUTLAW (10) ran on well last start at the Sunshine Coast and a repeat of that effort will see her in the finish of this event.
RACE 3 - Former Victorian LONJOURNO (2) just ran into one better at his local debut and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Hails from an astute barn and will prove tough to beat. MATERIALIST (7) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up at her past couple. Gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim and shapes as one to consider. ALLY (14) resumes here but the form she showed when last in work was good enough to feature in a race like this. In the mix while fresh. CRUMPETS (13) strips fitter second-up from the spell and is next in line from the favourable draw.
RACE 4 - RASHFORD (1) wasn't too far off them when resuming in town and has placed two from two when second-up. Is a winner around this circuit and should be right there when the whips are cracking. NAAHRO (4) blew the cobwebs out when resuming at the Sunshine Coast and is drawn to get a gun run in transit from gate three. Cartwright sticks in the irons and should be going very close. POWERFUL EAGLE (2) returned in fine fashion with a close-up second at Warwick and will strip fitter for that hitout. Include from the inside alley. RHODES (7) hails from a handy family (half to G2 winner and G1 placed Paximadia) and is one from one at this track. Should be hitting the line with gusto. DUPONT (8) rounds out the selections.
RACE 5 - READY AND LUCKY (15) got the maiden out of the way before the spell and will have taken a bunch of confidence from that victory. Revved up for this with two recent trials and can go right on with the job this preparation. MILTON ROAD (7) saves his best form for this journey with a win and a placing from three attempts and must be respected from the Dunn camp. Can feature with any luck from the sticky alley. DATA PATCH (2) has placed over this course and distance and gets 3kg off from the favourable draw. Has to be included.
RACE 6 - UNCUT GEM (8) got the well-deserved maiden victory out of the way at Taree at the latest outing and will come on with that win now in the locker. Having her first run for the new stable and any betting push should be noted. MADAME PEARL'S (13) was a touch flat at the latest effort but go on the solid Gold Coast win two back. Saves her best form for this trip and should be right there when the judge calls a halt. LITTLE CHARMER (10) has been consistent this campaign since joining the Ainsworth stable. Top-three commodity. PRADO (1) resumes here but has placed two from three first-up and may run a race while fresh. ILANA THE FIRST (15) won in easier company on debut and looks to have some upside. One to consider.
