Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - THUNDER SHANGHAI (5) just ran into one better at the Gold Coast last time out when well in the betting and where there's smoke there's fire. Will be rock-hard fit for this and drawn to get a cosy run in transit from gate three. Looks the hardest to toss. FINE AND RARE (6) has had a few chances but has placed around this circuit and gets the services of Rodd on board to navigate from the sticky alley. Looms as the main danger. EXFOLIATE (1) has been thereabouts in both runs since joining the new stable and may have turned the corner now. Top-three aspirations. KOVANOS (2) will find this easier than what she has been facing in NSW and is a must for the multiples. CUT DIAMONDS (8) next in line from the inside marble.
RACE 2 - SECOND SUN (8) has been knocking on the door of another victory with three consecutive placings this time in and strikes a very winnable contest here. Regular hoop Thornton sticks in the irons and should be right there when the whips are cracking. BOW TIE AFFAIR (2) was a touch disappointing at the latest effort but go on the strong Ipswich win on debut two back. Can bounce right back to form against this lot. RUMBLING AWAY (7) shed the maiden tag at the latest outing and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Worth following up. FORT DENISON (3) has found some form at the past three efforts and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. In the mix. The well-related HEREDITARY (4) (full to G1 winner Ugo Foscolo) gets 2kg off with the claim and may earn some minor money.
RACE 3 - GIDDY GAN'S JOY (5) has won over this staying trip and is drawn to get a gun run from gate two. The scratchings thin this right out and its now there for the taking. Happy t be backing her to make it pay. STREET GLORY (9) doesn't win out of turn but is usually thereabouts and is a must for exotics players. RADEGAST (11) is a last-start winner who cannot be discounted. Doubt things are any tougher here.
RACE 4 - TORO STRIKE (2) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was more than good enough to feature in a race like this. Revved up for this with a recent trial and is yet to miss a drum in three attempts around this circuit. Looks the one they all have to run down. FRENCH EMPIRE (5) placed here on debut and will have taken a bunch of benefit from that race day experience. Can improve enough to break through. MISS PALLADIUM (14) has placed two of three overall and must be respected from the Vandyke barn. In the mix.
RACE 5 - DIVAKARA (9) returned in good order with a solid second here and will have come on with that run now under the belt. The extra furlong looks to suit and can give backers a sight. POWERFUL EAGLE (3) is yet to miss a drum in five starts this campaign and is racing very consistently. Can fill the frame again. APERITIVO (6) has placed over this track and trip and may earn some minor money. WICKED'N' LOVIN'IT (8) next in line in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 6 - TECTONIC PLATE (3) has a handy record over this sprint trip with a win and two seconds from four attempts. Has placed two from three when fresh and can run a race first-up. If he does bring his best then he is good enough to have the measure of these and build on that good record. BRING ME KASH (4) has won three from five over this track and trip and is very handy on his day. Winning claims on best figures. RELIABLE RUBY (5) saves her best form for this circuit and cannot be underestimated. DIVINE OKAY (11) strips fitter second-up from the break and can fill the frame with any luck in running.
RACE 7 - Looks a wide open affair. PINK CASHMERE (5) has placed three from three around this circuit and was a dominant Sunny Coast winner at the latest effort. Should give a bold sight. The well-related BANK BOOK (14) (half to G2 winner Bank Maur) strips fitter third-up, draws low and gets in light with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. CLAIRVUE MOLLY (9) is back from a lengthy spell but tuned up for this with two recent trials and can run a race while fresh. RAFALE JOLIE (11) best of the rest despite the wide draw.
RACE 8 - NIGHTSTICK (3) bounced back to the winners' stall at the Sunny Coast last time out and is drawn to get a perfect run in transit from the inside marble. Has placed over this track and trip and should be right there when the judge calls a halt. JULIETA (12) strips fitter second-up from the spell and must be respected from the Freedman camp. Top-three commodity. PRIMARY WITNESS (4) has put back-to-back victories together and is racing with a lot of confidence. Hard to ignore. KAMARIYA (13) rounds out the selections.
