Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - VICTORY COMMAND (1) lost the rider here stepping up to this distance and has had two spaced sprint outings since. He deserves to break through and the 3kg claim brings him right into it. ARGERICH (2) is a likely improver from the Heathcote barn. The 1800m will suit and she should go well. OPTIMUS MAXIMUS (9) found a place here over a mile improving again. Maps well and has a 2kg claim. He is in the mix. PRIDE OF SAVABELLA (6) went close here in an Open 3 over this distance. Draws the inside gate and also has claims.
RACE 2 - STARSONUS (8) is a quick improver from the Gollan yard. He raced a short-priced favourite here three weeks ago and ran on well to place behind his winning stablemate. Has a handy barrier and Orman stays aboard. SHE'S WORTH IT (13) resumed here in good order but was plainer at Doomben after. She has more to give and has placed 2/2 second up. Maps for a soft run and can improve into the finish. READY FOR THE TRIP (6) is the other acceptor from the Gollan barn. Needs to find more but there's improvement to come. NESCAFFIER (5) resumes for the Matt Dunn yard and has looked good at the trials. Mallyon sticks aboard from those suggesting he continues to please. Keep very safe.
RACE 3 - GIVE ME SPACE (3) resumes and wasn't beaten far at Doomben on debut starting a short-priced favourite. Brings a Deagon trial win and Orman sticks from that. A bold return is likely. PROVANCE (10) resumes for the Vandyke yard. Missed a whisker here when last seen and was good at Doomben prior on debut. He's trialled and Callow is a positive jockey booking. KING BOOM (6) debuts for the premier stable (Gollan) with the blinkers applied. He's trialled well and has a handy gate and 2kg claim. Elevate if serious money comes his way. JOPPA LANE (4) debuts owning a solid Doomben trial. He should be around the mark.
RACE 4 - Tricky. Of the raced division ALLY (1) appeals building on the narrow first-up defeat at Ipswich. She maps well and Huxtable is reunited. Has more to give and will get every chance to go one better. DISMANTLE (4) may be the pick of the Gollan-trained debutants. Owns a Doomben trial win and Jones stays aboard. Stablemate ESPRIT DU JOUR (5) has had two trials and the latest was soft. Jumps from an inside barrier and Orman is a key jockey engagement. Vandyke-trained BLONDE ON BLONDE (3) looked good winning a recent Deagon trial. She's likely to push forward and will give a sight.
RACE 5 - LARRIKIN ROGUE (10) resumes and rates clear at best. He's proven fresh and brings sharp trials. Dolan sticks from the latest and he maps well. The one to beat if presented in good order. TROIKA (9) switched from a NSW barn and missed a whisker at the Gold Coast freshened. Maps for the run of the race and gets in light this grade with Lang's 2kg claim atop. Fitter and will get every chance to go one better. PREACH (1) resumes off three straight wins in town. He's a leader drawn low and has a handy 3kg claim back in class. He's been away for 361 days but has been fitted out with three trials and a bold return is likely. The betting will be key with him. FASTCONI (5) was good just missing at the Gold Coast first-up. Proven second-up and will be around the mark.
RACE 6 - HATASU (7) resumed further improved winning a sprint at Doomben. It was a big effort and she followed that with a 1.6L defeat here over a mile at this level. Fitter again and maps for a soft run. Needs this trip now and Orman is a key jockey booking. THE IRISH (3) resumed in the same contest beaten by a similar margin. He was expected to need it and will have taken benefit. He's proven second-up and the extra metres should be ideal. CONNEWARRE (6) and BIG TICKET BOY (4) are both racing well and also have claims. The latter has a 3kg claim and has come up as the early favourite.
RACE 7 - Tough. ANDERSEN (14) is lightly raced and was heavily bet winning a Gold Coast Maiden. This is tougher but he's speedy and promising and likely to spike his figures again. STARLIGHT NATION (3) is a former UK galloper resuming off a 385-day break for the Gollan yard. He's right up to this and brings a soft trial. Has a low gate and Orman's booking suggests he's pleasing. It's an ask all the same. BANDASHA (1) draws wide but has good ability and comes in well with the 3kg claim. SENSORY (16) resumes for Waller and has been switched from the Sydney stable. She has placed 2/2 fresh and has the strongest peak figures. She's trialled twice and has to be kept onside.
