Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MISHANI ALOHA (7) made an encouraging debut last time out, working home well and finishing 1.4 lengths from the winner in fourth over 1000m at Eagle Farm. Has upside and the extra 200m should suit so can open her account. HEAD HONCHO (1) has been within 2L of the winner in all three starts to date and put the writing on the wall when beaten a head into second at this track over 1110m last run. A win looks imminent. MISHANI SUSPECT (4) scored on debut then got back but worked home last start so suspect he is looking for this longer trip. MISHANI ECLIPSE (2) next.
RACE 2 - BEAST MODE (1) is racing well having placed in both outings since a resuming win at Eagle Farm. The engagement of Martin Harley is a positive move as he has won all three rides on this gelding. Looks suited and has strong claims. GOBLIN' DE QUO (10) has not appeared since she got the cash over 1000m at Sunshine Coast in April but she is a progressive mare with a 50 percent strike rate. Proven fresh and is well-drawn so expect her to play a major role. QUEEN ASSASSIN (5) brings good from the north having won both starts at Rockhampton this campaign. Has won here before so can step up. Last start winner MR GALAZI (2) also holds appeal.
RACE 3 - MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO (7) turned in a solid run when resuming last start over this course and distance, racing on pace and sticking on for a 1.4 length third. Stays in the same grade and with improvement likely she has winning claims. STROLL (2) was last at the races when she tackled the G3 Winx Guineas at Sunshine Coast in July but was readied with a trial and strikes at 50 percent when fresh. Has yet to miss a place here. Danger. LATAKIA (8) was beaten into second when resuming as a hot favourite at Ipswich but she is proven at this track and trip and is a likely improver. COMPASSIONATE (6) is racing well including a win at Toowoomba two back. Drawn to get the favours so respect.
RACE 4 - OSTERMEIER (5) found the line nicely last start for second over 2200m at Eagle Farm. Winning rider Cejay Graham stays aboard and the pair combined to win three back at Eagle Farm. Can play a big role. I AM THE EMPIRE (8) has had two runs since a break, the latest a fourth over 1815m at Eagle Farm. Has a win and a placing in two third-up attempts so he is among the leading chances. FIFTH POSITION (3) has been in the placings at his past two starts, finishing second over 1825m at Eagle Farm last time out. Should figure in the finish again. MONTABOT (6) has been thereabouts in his last two. Only needs to hold his form to be very competitive again. In the mix.
RACE 5 - VICTORY WIN (4) is a lightly raced but promising gelding who wound up strongly to score by one length when resuming over 1000m at Sunshine Coast. That was his second win from just three starts and he should only be further improved so can go through his grades. GOLDEN DECADE (5) improved his rating second-up when fourth in a richer race last start over 1200m at this track, beaten 2.5 lengths. Won his lone third-up attempt so should be close to peaking. ADDRIEL (7) has placed at both runs this campaign, finding the line strongly last time for second over 1200m at this track. A win looks imminent. FINE SHOT (6) faces his toughest test yet but must be respected having won all three starts at Rockhampton.
RACE 6 - PENTITO (4) knuckled down strongly to get within one length of the winner when resuming with a third last start over 1200m at this track. That continued his consistent form from last campaign and he'll enjoy the longer trip. Fitter and looks likely to play a big role. LARRIKIN ROGUE (3) worked home soundly to finish fourth when resuming over 1200m at this track last time out. He is two from two when second-up so must rate highly. ARGYLE PINK (9) showed good early muster and fought on to finish third last start at this track and trip. That was her third placing in four runs this time in. Drawn to figure in the outcome again. CACOFONIX (2) found form when running on to score by 4 lengths at today's course and distance last start. At his peak now so could go on with it.
RACE 7 - AMORE VELOCE (8) is close to a win having placed in both runs since a spell, last time fighting on well when beaten a neck into second at this course and distance. Proven third-up so should be peaking. Gets her chance to strike. GOOMERI (12) was a beaten favourite when placed fresh but gets blinkers on and both wins have come at this longer trip so improvement is likely. CAESARIS (3) is progressive having won two of three starts this time in, the latest at Toowoomba. Yet to win at 1200m but is drawn to get the favours. The resuming SABALENKA (13) also warrants safe keeping on best efforts.
RACE 8 - ZARASTRO (10) has been racing in great heart, lifting strongly to score at the most recent outing to make it three straight victories over this distance at Eagle Farm. Freshened since but kept up to the mark with a trial win. Drawn to go forward so can deliver again. ALL THAT PIZZAZZ (5) delivered third-up when he dug deep to score by a nose last time out over this trip in the Listed Weetwood Hcp at Toowoomba. Has a similar draw and is building a strong record at this distance. Contender. STEADY READY (9) improved off a fresh placing to score by 0.8 lengths last time out over 1000m at Eagle Farm. Draws to advantage and has upside so could take this next step. CIFRADO (11) was a multiple G2 winning juvenile last season and is suited up in trip having worked home well in his resuming fourth.
RACE 9 - TYRESA (11) was slow out when she returned from a spell two weeks ago but was warming up late over 1350m at this track. She has won second up before so will be fitter and the longer trip will suit. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM (7) will be fitter for two starts from a spell and rated well last time at Doomben. Usually races well third up so could be ready to peak. TIDAL CREEK (1) was slow to recover after the last outing at Eagle Farm but had won his previous two runs at this course so can bounce back returning to a venue where his record is strong. THE CATCH (10) will be fitter for recent racing and is proven both here and at the trip. Gets some weight relief this time and warrants respect.
RACE 10 - STARZAM (3) was well supported when resuming over 1200m at Ipswich and proved too strong, scoring by one length. Steps up in grade but is drawn to get the favours so could go on with it. STORM THE FORTRESS (15) kicked off the campaign with back-to-back placings so is capable of better. HAMLET VON SNITZEL (10) led and fought on when beaten 1.4 lengths into fourth last start at Eagle Farm. Has a good record at this journey so can give a sight. Last start winner ALLEZ ZOU (14) can also be thrown in the mix.
