Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - DOWNEY (2) has hit the top five in four of five starts to date and strikes a very winnable contest here. Has placed over this distance range, strips fitter third-up from the spell, and gets 2kg weight relief with the claim. Ticks plenty of boxes. ANTILLES (9) has been thereabouts in both runs this time in work and will be at her peak now third-up from the break. Another to get some weight off and looms as the main danger. RIPPER SHANK (7) has placed one from one around this circuit and is better than the first-up effort suggests. Worth another chance. BRIGHT FLAMES (14) has placed at her past couple and is one for the multiples. KELLISA (13) put in a career-best performance over this course and distance last time out and draws the inside marble. In the mix.
RACE 2 - COLONEL PARKER (8) just ran into one better on debut at Toowoomba when well in the market and where there's smoke there's fire. This is not an overly strong affair and can break the maiden status against this lot. ANGELIC BOOM (3) gets the deadly Jones/Gollan combination and will find this easier than recent efforts. Can improve enough to feature in the outcome. Former Mexican SUTHERLAND (7) is having her first run for the new stable and any market confidence must be noted. ASAMBE (1) next in line from the Schweida barn.
RACE 3 - GRANDEUR ROSE (9) resumes here but the form she showed before the spell was good enough to be competitive in a race like this. Has placed three from six when fresh and can play a prominent role in the outcome. I AM VOODOO (1) only narrowly went down at the Gold Coast last time out and Sutherland sticks in the irons. Again gets the benefit of his claim and looks a serious player on best form. VIKING VALOUR (7) has a win and a second from just two attempts over this track and trip and is another to get some weight relief. Top-three candidate. SERIGALA (4) grows a leg for Tomizawa who has three wins and five placings from just 12 steers. May run a race first-up.
RACE 4 - SUN WORSHIPPER (7) has hit the top-four in all three runs this preparation and gets in well at the weights with the claim. Worth serious consideration. TERRITORY ASH (2) has gotten better with both runs this campaign and should be at her peak now. In the mix. EAGLE'S FIRE (5) is one from one around this circuit and is a must for the multiples. MISHANI SUSPECT (3) rounds out the selections.
RACE 5 - KELANOA (5) returned in good order with a strong win around this circuit before not being disgraced in town at the latest effort. Winning hoop Tilley reunites and should be going close with any luck from the sticky draw. ORSETTO (3) boasts a win around this course and distance and should be near his peak now third-up from the spell. Has the talent to take this out. AURELIAN BLANC (7) got the maiden out of the way before the spell and has since tuned up for this with a dominant Toowoomba trial victory. Gets 1.5kg off and looks a genuine top-three contender while fresh. BOITUMELO (11) has been racing well albeit in lesser grade but it's hard to knock mares in form. May earn some minor money.
RACE 6 - Former Victorian SAVVY BEE (13) just ran into one better at her local debut and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Drawn to get a cosy run in transit from gate three and has a handy record over this distance range. Should be right there when the whips are cracking. ROCKIN' ARTIE (11) has been plying his trade in harder contests of late and will appreciate the slight drop back in grade here. Has placed three from three around this circuit and rates a major player. COBURG (12) has placed over this track and trip and will be high on confidence following a strong last-start victory at Kilcoy. In the mix. REGGAE FIRE (3) is one from one over this course and distance and gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim. Cannot be ignored. BANDIT (2) next in line.
RACE 7 - LE GAGNEUR (11) has been racing in a rich vein of form of late with two wins and two placings from his past five outings. Gets 2kg weight relief with the claim and whilst this is a step-up in grade he shapes as one of the key runners on best form. MILAGRO (10) has been thereabouts in recent efforts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Looms as the main danger. THE BOI (2) is a bit hit or miss but is more than capable on his day. Worth consideration. HEAT (5) has hit the top-five in eight of his past nine starts and is a must for exotics players. BULL DIMPLE RUM (13) best of the rest.
RACE 8 - BELLE'S BOY (3) has a handy record over this course and distance with a win and two placings from six attempts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Only needs some luck from the outside draw to play a role in the finish. THE SHAMAN (1) will be near his peak fourth-up from the spell and gets 1.5kg off from the favourable draw. Ticks a few boxes. DANTE ALIGHIERI (5) was a touch disappointing at the latest effort but go on the solid win two back. Worth another chance. ISLA'S DAY (9) next in line.
