Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CHAPARRAL CHASE (2) was a beaten favourite on debut when finishing second and then improved quickly to score last time out on this course 2 weeks ago on a heavy surface. He is bred to only get better with more racing and can go back to back. ITALIAN RIVIERA (1) won 2 of his 3 starts as a juvenile and was close up in his other start. He will be fighting fit fresh up with 3 trials under his belt and in the small field, he should be hard to beat. CHAMIERRO (3) enjoyed stepping up to 1350m at Ipswich last start and was too strong for his maiden rivals, winning by over a length. He will eventually want a middle distance but will still be sharp enough to have a say in the outcome of this race. PIERATA'S GEM (5) bounced back to winning form at Doomben last start and could find the frame again. Looks one of the genuine hopes in the race.
RACE 2 - JUNGLE JET (2) is the likely favourite here after ending his last campaign with 3 second-place finishes in a row. He is fresh up over a mile so would have completed plenty of work at home and with a recent trial win under his belt, he is the one to beat. PAPAL WARS (6) is a locally trained gelding who has been knocking on the door after being runner-up in his last couple of starts. He won't lack fitness dropping back to the mile and his first win is not far away. PAUL EDWARD (7) has been trying to win a race for some time and made up some late ground when finishing third here a fortnight ago over 1400m. The extra furlong will help and he should be thereabouts again. LIKA WRECKIN' BALL (4) is on debut over a mile and in a small field, he can figure in the finish.
RACE 3 - MISHANI HITMAN (4) fought on strongly after setting the pace and finishing third fresh up at Warwick nearly 5 weeks ago. The extra furlong is ideal and he could take them all the way this time. ROCKY REWARD (6) is making his debut with a third placing at a recent trial under his belt. Top hoop Justin P Stanley picks up the ride which is a strong lead and any market moves must be respected. SKORPIOS ISLE (8) is also on debut from a good stable and he win a trial last month at Doomben. Hard to beat. HEY CHARDONNAY (21) is fresh up and won a tune-up trial last month very comfortably. A good draw will see her run a big race fresh up.
RACE 4 - ASHANKO (8) franked his good trial form this season with an easy win here on debut 3 weeks ago when stalking the pace and dashing clear over the final stages. He benefits from a 2kg claim and from a superior gate, he can take the next step immediately. QUADE (2) dropped in grade and capped off some sound form with a well-deserved win on this track a fortnight ago. He will only find this slightly harder and from a good draw with an extra kilo to carry, he can repeat the dose. THE FIXER (5) did not come up as expected last prep and was put aside after 3 starts. He looked above average earlier in his career and looked to be back to somewhere near his best when winning a recent trial on this track. Watch closely. MR ENCORE (4) won fresh up at Gatton and stays in the same grade. Stick with him.
RACE 5 - LOYALTY COUNTS (1) took some time to break through but has won 2 on the bounce since being tried over a middle distance. He just clung on by a neck here 4 weeks ago and stays in the same grade. A 3kg claim means he carries less weight so he must be hard to beat again. PARIS AFFAIR (2) broke his win drought last time out when scoring by a nose on this track a fortnight ago. That was only his third start since making the move to Queensland and he has more to offer over the longer journeys'. Stick with him. LEGER CHASE (5) won fresh up on this track when resuming from a spell over 1200m and her next couple of starts have seen her wanting more ground. The step up to 1800m is ideal and she has solid first-four claims. SILVER PEARL (6) is a very consistent mare who is having her first attempt beyond a mile. She is building her fitness and ran on late when finishing third here 3 weeks ago. With the right run, she can have the last say.
RACE 6 - HOOKS (1) seems to prefer a heavy track but did win here by a head on a good surface 2 starts back before making it 2 wins on the bounce with another all-the-way victory a fortnight ago over this trip. He stays in the same class and only has to carry an extra 2kg. The hat-trick beckons. DECEMBER DIAMOND (9) was a late scratching about a month ago after getting loose before the start. Her form has just turned a corner before that and if she has not missed too much work at home, she can have a say in the finish here. A market watch is advised. HAYSIRI (5) has changed stables since his last run at Scone in April. He showed plenty of potential earlier in his career and did look ready to race when being placed in a recent trial. Each-way value. CLUEDO (8) had a rocky run last start and did well to finish third over 1650m at Doomben 16 days ago. She will find this easier and another honest effort is expected.
RACE 7 - CHANGE THE DEEL (4) resumed with a big effort for second here a fortnight ago and slides down in class for this assignment. He strips fitter and from a handy draw, he can go one better. NO NAME FRANK (1) raced greenly on debut but was still too good for his rivals at Ipswich, scoring by half-a-length. He has been handled patiently and is resuming after a spell with a third placing at a recent Doomben trial under his belt. He will be ready to run a big race fresh up. LONE FORCE (3) has changed stables after some mixed form in Sydney. He has a wide gate and is back to a sprint trip but will be running on strongly. Include in all combinations. NEW HAMPSHIRE (5) has found it hard to win another race and has the pole position this time. The blinkers come off for the first time and he is not out of this.
