Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - OCTAVIO (3) kicked off the campaign with back-to-back placings before clocking in fourth as favourite last time out over 1640m at Doomben. Backs up after six days and will be race fit. Among the leading chances from a low draw. UNITED FRONT (7) has been in the placings at his last two starts, finishing third at the latest appearance over 1800m at this track. Could be ready to deliver. KALENDS (11) has the hoof on the till and hit the line well for a last-start second over a mile so the longer journey should suit. SPACE JOURNEY (6) has put four placings together and is drawn to get the favours so respect.
RACE 2 - SUNSET SOIREE (7) appreciated the step up to a similar trip last start and got the job done by a head at this track. Drawn to lob into a prominent position and can make it back-to-back wins. WHODAT (2) improved sharply on his fourth two starts back at Doomben with a win as public elect over 1800m at Randwick two-and-a-half weeks ago, getting home by 2 lengths. Finds a suitable assignment and has strong claims again. COUP DE TONNERRE (4) led and fought on to go under by a head over a similar trip last start so can give a sight. THE LOVE ROCKET (11) is racing consistently and is deserving of respect.
RACE 3 - TOWN CRIER (6) impressed when successful as favourite on debut over 1200m at this track four-and-a-half months ago and has not been produced since. Likely to have developed with maturity and has trialled well. Has plenty of upside and can win again. FEMME FATALE (8) resumes after a break of four-and-a-half months and did win at her only other first-up run when on debut. Readied with a recent trial win at Eagle Farm. Winning chance while fresh. SHE'S A ROGUE (5) started the last preparation with a Listed placing over 1000m at this track so can kick the campaign off on the right note. HAYAI UMA (7) scored last start at Gatton to make it three wins from four starts this campaign. Has good early toe so she should be handy in the run. Solid claims.
RACE 4 - DEEP ROUGE (7) is back at the races for the first time since August and has recorded two wins and a placing from four fresh attempts. Races well at this distance and has trialled. Makes plenty of appeal. BURNING BELL (9) returns after a spell of 16 months but has been readied with two trials. Owns a 50 percent strike rate and won his lone try at this distance so keep safe. PACIFIC PADRINO (4) closed well for a resuming second and is proven second up so can progress. CARRIBEAN KING (5) was consistent last time in and races well fresh so respect.
RACE 5 - FLYING D'AMORE (12) is a Russian Revolution filly from the stakes-winner Belle D'amour on debut for Annabel Neasham. Showed ability in winning her last couple of trials so looks set to run well. ASHILLA (8) will be race fit third up and looks close to a win off back-to-back seconds. Going well and is among the main players. BETTER BE NORDY (1) was tuned up for the return with an easy trial win so looks to have come back in good order. Contender. HEARTS ARE RACING (14) will be fitter for the resuming second and has upside so can measure up.
RACE 6 - MY PINS (3) opened this prep with a Beaudesert win two runs ago then made the step up to city company last time out when third at this track and distance. Draws out but is aided by a claim and will be peaking third up so can rediscover winning form. BINDING (7) finished 3.5 lengths away in sixth when resuming and has trialled since so will have come on. Steps up in distance today and is a two-time winner here so can progress. MOTION LEGEND (1) tackled this journey for the first time last start when scoring at Sunshine Coast. Drawn to get the favours so could go on with it. BELLA TIVACI (15) is close to a win after back-to-back placings, missing by just a head at Ipswich last time.
RACE 7 - Group 3 placegetter WARBY (4) settled last but ran on for a 1.7L fourth when resuming over 1200m at this track. He'll be fitter for that having won second-up before and will enjoy the longer trip. Could take closer order from the lower draw. Among the main hopes. WINSOME STAR (8) made a strong late bid but just failed to pick up the winner by a nose last start over 1400m at this track. Has the hoof on the till having finished runner-up in both runs since a spell. Could strike third up. CRAZY BRAVE (2) showed improvement when placed at Ipswich second up. Blinkers go on and won his only attempt here so could progress further. RUSSIAN SUB (1) has been racing well and is drawn to get the favours.
RACE 8 - CLASSIC DEEL (9) brings some decent form from NSW, last time chasing well for third over 2400m at Randwick Kensington. Drawn to get the favours and Maloney rides. She can measure right up. KUREDER (6) proved too strong two back at Doomben then chased well when second last start over 2180m at Ipswich, beaten a head. Draws wide but blinkers go on and he is racing well so has strong prospects. ONLY LOVE (13) made some last headway last time at Warwick Farm after closing well for a 1.6L fourth two back at Rosehill. Can measure up. SKYLON (8) found winning form last start, beating Kureder in scoring by a head at Ipswich. A chance again.
RACE 9 - RICHON (1) showed good early pace over 1100m at Ipswich when resuming last time and kept going to score by a neck. Won the only time he raced at this track. Fitter so can go on with the job. TRANQUIL BAY (12) has been thereabouts in two outings since winning at Sunshine Coast, last time finishing a 1.3 length fourth at this track. Drops in the weights for this and is nicely drawn so is expected to run well. LIGHT OF BOOM (7) was beaten 1.8 lengths in open company here last start. Enjoys a class drop and will be fitter for recent racing. IRING (9) hasn't been far away of late and is drawn to advantage so respect.
