Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - This race changes complexion with the top two in betting coming out. It leaves the way for LUCKY NEKO (9) who was six weeks between runs when a fading eighth over 1006m at Grafton last time out. Fitter today and should appreciate a bit less pressure up front over this distance. BARRON (3) chalked up his eighth minor placing from 23 starts when a closing third over 1262m here recently. Hard to get enthused with a record like that but in a race of few genuine hopes he gets his chance. HERE'S MASON (4) is another with a few convictions but should be about the money following a decent third over 1050m at Inverell last time out. JIVE TURKEY (6) resumes. Opened last prep with a placing at Grafton before the form deteriorated. Capable of featuring. MILLENNIUM PRAYER (10) is the best of the others.
RACE 2 - TELL NO GOSSIP (5) is back from a 19-week spell. Had two runs in the maiden campaign and performed well on each occasion, the pick of the efforts a close second on debut over this trip at the Sunshine Coast. Sure to be hard to roll in this company. NEXT PAY RUN (9) returns from a 28-week spell in a new stable. Struggled to land a blow in Victoria last prep, largely in better maidens than this. Any market confidence should be respected. SPOILER (10) found the frame for the first time in her six career runs when third over this distance at Grafton recently. Starting to put it together and from a better gate today her claims are undeniable. JUMBLED (4) is fresh from a 21-week spell. Opened the maiden prep with a placing over this distance at Grafton. Worth some thought. HARE STREET (1) is a chance off a six-week freshen up out of gate one.
RACE 3 - The Kris Lees trained CHILLCUZ (3) faced the starter for just the second time and justified her $2.35 quote with a tough win over this distance at Grafton last start. Still open to plenty of improvement and should cope with this stronger line-up. Stablemate PISA CAKE (2) has showed pace but lacked a change of gears in her two runs this prep, both over shorter trips. Might be the big improver getting out to this distance for the first time. QUICK SHOT (9) last appeared when down the track over 1800m at the Gold Coast on 19 October. This is short of her best but while fresh she can run a cheeky race. CASINO COAST (7) returned to form last time when he closed late to get up for fourth over 1312m at this track. Each-way hope with a similar effort today. BRAVE INSTINCTION (10) ran on nicely last start when coming off a 33-day let-up. Fitter and is one to watch for late in proceedings.
RACE 4 - THROWNUNDERTHEBUS (3) is building a nice record, helped along by a tough win over this distance at Grafton last start. Maps to park right behind the leader. Won't find this quite as tough as last time so another win is on the cards. Locally trained COSMIC FORTUNE (10) is back from a six-month spell. Generally races well when fresh and she has proven effective over this trip in the past. Races well here so plenty to like about her chances. SNOW FALCON (5) finished just 0.6 lengths behind the winner last time over this course and distance. That looks good form for a race of this calibre so she must be given due consideration. MANIC LIGHT (2) resumes. Yet to fill a placing in four fresh runs but this is not a deep race so from gate one he is in the mix. VOCATION (9) finished a length behind Snow Falcon when resuming here recently. Fitter and worth some thought.
RACE 5 - THREE GRACES (4) won a 1730m maiden two back then skipped straight to a Class 2 and saluted again, this time back to a mile. In-form mare who shouldn't have any trouble with today's journey so stick with her. BORN TO BE ALIVE (9) led but knocked up last time out over 1700m at the Gold Coast. Down a little in class today and should be getting near his peak at the third run back from a brief spell. TRUE FAIRY (6) hasn't fired in her two runs this prep, both over shorter trips. Getting closer to her right sort of race so worth another chance. SHOWMAN (3) has been struggling lately but drops in class today and gets gate one. Capable of sharp improvement. NEWMARKET MISS (10) won a similar race to this on the Gold Coast Poly two starts back. Races well here so she is worth serious consideration.
RACE 6 - ONE 'N' ONLY (8) did a great job to finish third in a Class 4 at Eagle Farm two runs back. Showed pace but capitulated at the latest outing over 1200m at Ipswich. Handy mare with a fine strike rate so worth another chance. STRAPPARSI (7) worked home fairly but missed the frame over 1206m at Grafton last start after a placing here at this trip the run prior. Racing okay without winning but the addition of blinkers for the first time today might add the extra spark that is required. OFFICE JIM (3) missed the frame in a Roma Quality over 1640m last time. Better placed today and did win here at his only visit. COLLAY'S SPIRIT (6) did little when resuming at Grafton but always improves second-up. CACOFONIX (4) was runner-up in a similar race to this two starts back. Right in the mix if he recaptures that form.
RACE 7 - IRISH GIFT (2) started at evens but got too far back and could only manage fourth last start over 1262m at this track. Just missed the run prior over today's journey. Draws the fence and gets back to a preferable trip so this looks his race to lose. SHOWRATA (6) led but compounded and finished well back over 1350m at Warwick recently. Suspect there might be a bit more to offer from this Kris Lees-trained gelding. SHANNON'S LEGACY (10) last raced when down the track on debut in heavy going at Kembla in May. In a new stable and is worth watching for a betting push. TWINKLE TIME (14) returned last start and ran the best race of her three to date, beaten just 2.5 lengths over this trip at the Gold Coast. Good each-way hope. COMANCHE'S PROPHET (4) is a market watch on debut.
