Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SMELTER (2) found one much too good on the Gold Coast poly last time, but best to consider his chances on the 1.4L defeat here two back over this distance. Has the inside gate and has the first-time blinkers applied. Cahill is reunited and he's worth another chance. NOT A SINGLE DRINK (1) made sharp improvement beaten 1.3L at Doomben over 2070m. A live chance holding that form. MAJESTIC ANGEL (5) peaks and showed enough here two back to give her a hope. THAT KISS (7) tackles this distance for the first time and retains a handy 3kg claim. Peaks as well and should be around the mark.
RACE 2 - Tricky. OCTABOOM (6) presents third-up and can build on her improved effort at the Sunshine Coast over 1400m. She should enjoy stepping up to 1690m. She's showing enough. TOP LEVEL (8) finished alongside the above on debut. She will have taken fitness and learning and is also a decent chance. AS EXPECTED (1) will be better for his solid placing at Warwick over 1350m. Has some weight relief and maps well. He rounds out the winning hopes. JUST WANT YOU BACK (5) may be best of the rest.
RACE 3 - PUROSANGUE (4) resumes and belted the Toowoomba Maidens by 4.5L on debut. That was over 870m and he was backed off the map. The promising gelding will be naturally improved and will be hard to roll. YEMEAN (3) resumed with a 1L defeat at this track/trip and has more up the sleeve. Finally draws an inside gate and fitter should be right in it. MY NAME IS (1) resumed at the Sunshine Coast and led them up before capitulating at the business end. The former Victorian wins at best and a much sharper effort is likely. KENTUCKY ROSE (7) resumes off a comfortable Kilcoy Maiden win over this distance. This is harder but she owns a 4L trial win and the in-form Jones rides. Keep safe.
RACE 4 - PEACEFUL PRINCE (2) is ex-Neasham (Sydney) and had one run for the sharp Vandyke yard off a 59-day break and was immediately spelled. Raced even money over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast first-up and finished it off okay - settling too far back. Callow goes aboard today and the gelding would win this comfortably at best. Maps well and sharp improvement is anticipated. TOWERS HILL (3) is in the premier barn and resumed at Eagle Farm in solid order. He will keep improving and the in-form Jones rides. TOTALLY UNDERRATED (12) just missed at Ballina and will be better for it. A senior hoop goes aboard today. FIREUPZOUS (15) peaks and may be the one for the first fours.
RACE 5 - CITY PLAYBOY (1) has been racing well in central and north Queensland. He races forward and improved again at Townsville last time stepping up to this trip. Callow is a key jockey booking and expect him to give a sight. NIPPA'S NIGHTCAP (5) is hard fit and busting to win. Just missed heavily bet this course/trip last time and gets weight relief at this level. EASTOWN (3) was beaten 2L here off a lip defeat at Doomben over a mile. He's a leader but jumps from an awkward barrier today and will need some luck. STAR CHANCE (11) spiked his figures at the Sunshine Coast last time and goes into the exotics on that effort.
RACE 6 - DREAM LANTERN (12) has been going well since the spacious win this track/trip three back in a CL1. Didn't have the best of it at Eagle Farm and then missed a whisker in a Toowoomba 70. Has the first-time blinkers applied and the in-form Jones well give her every chance from a favourable gate. TOO HARD TO REFUSE (3) threatened twice this grade at Doomben and then raced a short-priced favourite at Gatton in a 70 and was caught three wide on the speed throughout. Has a 3x winning rider aboard replacing the apprentice and will use the inside barrier. GOLDEELUCK (1) resumes off two close-up efforts at Doomben in stronger. He's trialled solidly and has placed 2/3 fresh. His record over this distance is sharp. FAMOUS PEDRILLE (7) will run along from a low gate and should be ready to test his Sydney best. Keep well onside.
RACE 7 - Gollan-trained TO WISH (11) resumed at Eagle Farm and was fair through the line after settling back. She has plenty to give and the in-form Jones is aboard today. She will be looking for a clean start from the inside barrier. Quick improvement is anticipated. Stablemate HELL AND BACK (6) is up to this and will be better for the first-up outing. Has the first-time blinkers on and maps well. His second-up form is strong. ZELGARIA (2) is speed-bred by Snitzel and found more like his best winning easily at Ballina. Draws awkwardly but the 3kg claim brings him right into it. DUNTROON LASS (9) also has a 3kg claim and is fast. Won a 58 as favourite at the Sunshine Coast and can go on.
