Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - FLYING JOY (3) proved too tough when she got home by a nose last time out over 2000m at this track. Has a decent record at this venue and should get the favours from this draw. Winning hope again. I AM THE EMPIRE (4) is improving with racing this time in and looks close to peaking after just missing behind Flying Joy last time. Race fit so could be ready to go one better. Hard to knock the form of KUREDER (5) with two wins and a close second in his last three starts, getting home by 1.4 lengths at Eagle Farm last time out. Expect another big run. OSTERMEIER (1) tends to do his best work at this distance so respect.
RACE 2 - ASTAPOR (2) wasted no time getting off the mark as favourite on debut over 1050m at Rockhampton, cruising home by close to 5L. Steps up in grade but looks to have talent. MISHANI EGO (5) kicked off his career with back-to-back placings before breaking through last time over 1000m at Sunshine Coast with today's rider Ben Thompson engaged. Facing a tougher assignment but could take the next step. MISHANI ECLIPSE (1) got the prize two runs ago at this track and trip and worked home okay when fourth last time. Include.
RACE 3 - BLAKMAX (3) is racing well having placed in both runs here since an Eagle Farm win, the latest effort a solid third at this distance. Finds a suitable assignment and looks likely to play a big role. THANKFUL HEART (6) is progressing well and turned in a strong effort last time out to score by 2.3 lengths at this course and distance. Nicely placed so can make an impact again. MISS TAMBO (9) did a great job to score by a neck over this track and trip last start to maintain her good form of late. Going well and is one of the key runners. WARBY (8) is another last-start winner with claims.
RACE 4 - GOLDEN DECADE (1) broke through for a third-up win last time over 1200m at this track, scoring by a nose. Pulled out plenty to win there and cops a weight penalty but is at peak fitness so expected to measure up again. EXOTIQUE MISS (7) accounted for a maiden field over 1100m at Toowoomba last start when fresh from a break. Is lightly raced and has plenty of scope for improvement. Could take the next step. TRIFLING (2) showed improvement second-up when beaten 2.8 lengths over 1200m at this track. Should be peaking now and is drawn to get the favours. BEEBEE DAZZLER (3) comes to town having shown some promise in two runs at Toowoomba. Can measure up.
RACE 5 - MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO (3) built on a nice third when fresh two starts back with a win as favourite over 1200m at this track last time. Ran on to get home by one length there so the longer trip suits. Proven third up so should be improved again. Can go on with it. APRIL IN AUGUSTA (5) turned things around last start and got the job done by 1.7 lengths after being prominent at the bend over 1300m at Eagle Farm. That was her third success from her last five so can feature again. Hard to knock TOJAKI (8) who has recorded three wins and a close second from four runs this time in. Dug deep to score at this track and trip last time. Big chance again. BITCOIN BABY (2) has claims off a win over this journey here two back.
RACE 6 - MADAME ODETTE (14) made an encouraging return last start, finishing third over 1300m at Eagle Farm. Fitter and the extra journey should play into her hands. Can win. ZAHER (9) hasn't been far from the placings in all three runs since a spell. Kept coming to finish fourth at Eagle Farm last start and blinkers have been added for this. Suited at the longer journey and gets his chance to show his best. CACOFONIX (1) was a dominant winner two back then ran on last start over 1350m at this track, beaten a head. He may be looking for the mile now. PORKY (2) recorded a strong on-pace win here last time by 0.7 lengths over 1650m. Goes well at this distance with two wins and a placing from four starts and is not to be discounted.
RACE 7 - COMRADE ROSA (1) drew wide and was beaten for early speed when resuming in the Listed Keith Noud Quality at this track but wound up nicely for a 1.7L fourth. Her overall record when second-up is sound, including a win and two minor placings. Draws lower so has winning claims. EXTREMIST (2) has returned in fine form, last time racing on pace and kicking on strongly to win the Keith Noud. Draws the same barrier and is yet to miss the placings here so must rate highly. EAGLE NEST (5) heads north having led to win all three starts in NSW this time in. She can measure up again along with EKATERINA (4) who has put two wins together at this venue.
RACE 8 - ZARASTRO (13) put three wins together before he pushed forward last time and boxed on to finish 1.2 lengths away in second in the Listed Keith Noud Quality at this track. Steps up in distance but won his only previous attempt so looks well placed to return to the winners' list. SCALLOPINI (1) hasn't raced since the Stradbroke but was beaten less than a length in a G3 when fresh before that. Four-time first-up winner with a strong record at this distance. He should be ready to go off a solid trial. THE VOWELS (14) has won three of five tries at this journey and has won a trial since his second-up run so should be peaking.
RACE 9 - ZOUSHACK (1) was down the track at Listed level last time but he is much better placed in this company and was good when beaten narrowly into second when fresh two back at Eagle Farm. Jumps in trip but goes well third-up so can peak. PRINCESS RHAENYS (5) worked home when fresh so will enjoy the longer trip with more fitness on her side. She went to the paddock off a nose second at Listed level so has the ability to measure up to these. THE CATCH (10) put the writing on the wall when he finished third last start over 1600m at this track, beaten 1.7 lengths. Race fit so could be ready to go a couple better. ROUSSEAU (3) hasn't been far away in any of his runs this time in and looks close to a win.
RACE 10 - LIQUOR (17) is a progressive mare racing in good form. Led and kicked away at her most recent appearance, getting home by 4 lengths over 1000m at Eagle Farm as favourite. That was her second win from her last four starts. Draws wider but still a top chance. PERFECT MISSION (19) finished third last start at the first run back from a spell over 1000m at Eagle Farm when she made late ground. Can feature again along with MY SNOW QUEEN (18) who is building a strong record.
