Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - KING'S HALO (2) has been knocking on the door of another victory finishing runner-up at the past couple and strikes a winnable contest here. Wiggins sticks in the saddle and should be going very close. CANDLELIT (1) is a consistent conveyance who has placed two of three around this circuit and is usually thereabouts. Looms as the main danger. IGNACIO (3) has been in the mix in all three runs since joining the new stable and will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the spell. Top-three candidate. WONG WAY (6) was a touch disappointing last time out but go on the close-up second two back. Worth another chance. OLD SALT (5) next in line.
RACE 2 - Tricky race to assess with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade GOLD CLASSIC (2) hasn't done much wrong with a win and a second from just two starts to date and has race experience over most of these. Wiggins on board and rates the testing material. The well-related GYMNOSOMATA (5) (half to Listed winner and G3 placed Viren's Army) is at the races for the first time but has shown ability at the trials and any market support must be noted. MR OREO (3) placed at Townsville on debut and will have derived a stack of benefit from that race day experience. In the mix. MISS PIERATA (6) is trained on course and a watch on betting is advised. GEM OF SCOTS (4) rounds out the selections in a race hard to line up.
RACE 3 - FODOR (1) did a great job to score by a neck over this course and distance last start in a nice progression on the first-up run. Nicely placed to keep the ball rolling. STARZ BARWON (3) ran on strongly but just failed to pick up the winner when fresh from a spell last start over 950m at this track. Sure to derive great benefit from that outing so anticipating a big run again. RIGEL STAR (4) finished just 0.8 lengths from the winner in third last start over 950m at this track after racing in the leading division. Has his share of talent and is hard to beat in this suitable race. ZI WIN (5) has won over this track and trip and may earn some minor money.
RACE 4 - SUPERSTITIONS (2) is close to breaking through after finishing third last start over 1000m at Townsville when he was always up in the leading division. Finds a suitable race and can figure in the finish. CORBUSIER (4) found a couple marginally better last start over 950m at this track after being prominent throughout. Nicely placed to take this out. OHMIKKIUSOFINE (8) was below her best last time when sixth over 1000m at Townsville, beaten 7 lengths. Well placed here and there is no reason why she cannot find winning ways. ELSPHERE (5) nicely bred mare by sire Exosphere from the stakes-winning mare El Pauji. Has not been produced in a public trial but debuts on home track.
RACE 5 - MARCH MADNESS (5) has not appeared since he finished sixth over 1100m at Mackay on September 17. Revved up for this with a recent trial and rates as one of the genuine hopes in the race. LOVE 'N' VISION (7) showed good early speed and raced on the pace last start before fading to finish fourth, beaten 2.75 lengths, over 1250m at this track. Will push forward and is among the chances. SODAMCUTE (6) resumes from a spell of four months. Could only manage to finish 11th at the latest run over 1200m at Gold Coast Poly. This much easier and must be included in calculations while fresh. CLUCK (8) next in line in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 6 - LIDDER VALLEY (4) is in top form with two wins on end, the most recent an effortless 4.5 lengths victory over 1250m at this track two weeks ago. Should be poised just off the lead. Best form puts him right in this. SPIRIT MEISTER (7) is ready to win after another minor placing last start, finishing third over 1250m at this circuit when he was prominent throughout. Nathan Day gets the best out of this six-year-old gelding and best figures measure up. MISS SEATTLE (6) is struggling to break through but hasn't been far away, the latest effort a fourth, beaten 1.75 lengths, over 1400m at Townsville. Going well and she is a leading hope again. The well-related INDICTMENT (1) (half to G2 winner and G1 placed Soul Patch) worked home well and finished second last time over 1250m here beaten 4.5 lengths. Placed to advantage so expect a big run.
RACE 7 - I'LLTELLYOUSO (5) got the job done in grand style last start, scoring by 1.2 lengths over this track and trip after stalking the lead. In fine form and worth following up. KOBAYASTAR (8) finished third over 1400m at Townsville at her most recent appearance on July 28. Worth plenty of thought. MY ARTIE (3) ran well last start when second at Atherton over 1000m in the wet. Rates a top chance. ELLIE'S DREAM (11) ran well last start when second at this track over 1250m on a soft track and peaks for this. Can contest the finish.
