Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ZOUNA (9) is a son of Zousain on debut for Lawrie Mayfield-Smith. Showed good ability in winning a trial at Eagle Farm by 2.8L. That will have him tuned up and ready to kick off with a win. ZELEZNY (8) has not raced since being well supported on his debut last September over 1000m at Eagle Farm when he finished fifth, beaten 3.6 lengths. Gelded since and is likely to have developed with maturity. Readied with a trial and could make a winning return. SANDY GRIP (12) faded out when in the market on debut but Ryan Maloney sticks with her so she may be worthy of another chance. HEAD CASE (13) is worth keeping safe.
RACE 2 - SKYWRITER (6) heads north having placed in both Victorian runs since a spell. Raced on the speed last time and finished third over 1300m at Bendigo. Kept up to the mark with a trial win and James Orman rides. Great chance to break through. PINKUS (4) is fitter for two runs back from a spell, progressing nicely last time to finish second at Sunshine Coast over 1200m. Has scope for further improvement. RIDE FOR LUCK (9) improved to place second up and can progress further. FORBIDDEN APPLE (11) is a resumer from the Ciaron Maher yard with Ryan Maloney in the saddle. Has been trialling in NSW. Market watch.
RACE 3 - ELLA TE AMA (2) hasn't been too far away of late, last time leading and sticking on when beaten 2.8 lengths at Eagle Farm over 1825m. Blinkers go on and she is suited dropping to the distance range that has produced two of her three wins. SMOOTH TORQUE (7) didn't do a bad job when beaten just over a length into fourth last start having run on to win at this track and trip two back. Best figures measure up strongly. MASCARET (1) will be fitter for recent racing and usually performs well at this journey so can show more. VEANDECHANCE (3) is another likely improver with a lower draw and James Orman going aboard.
RACE 4 - METALART (8) is a gelded son of Better Than Ready on debut for Kelly Schweida. Has looked talented in winning both of his trials at this track and they should have him ready to go. Big chance to kick off with a win. ADRANOS (2) is a gelded son of Capitalist on debut. Nice effort when runner-up in a trial at this course and has the strong Gollan/Maloney combination behind him. Contender. David Vandyke's debutant PHAROAH'S PROPHECY (9) has won both of his trials and draws well so expect a good showing. TIPPED OFF (10) wasn't far away in his latest trial so keep him safe on debut.
RACE 5 - CAXTON LASS (3) was a beaten favourite last start but was far disgraced when 2.7L away off a wider draw. Nice effort when runner-up here two back. Should get the favours from the inside gate and will be at her peak now. DIBBA DOBBA (5) was consistent before the spell, last seen when runner up over 1400m at Sunshine Coast five months ago. Fitter for two lead-up trials, winning the latest. Should be competitive. ELAEA (6) was well fancied on debut last start and closed well for second, beaten one length over 1000m at Sunshine Coast. Has upside and the extra 200m should suit so can progress. SUITE SECRET (11) raced just twice at the maiden campaign, last seen when placed at Sunshine Coast in October. Readied with a solid trial so keep safe.
RACE 6 - BUBBA'S BAY (2) is close to a win after a string of minor placings, switching from Sydney for a last-start third over this distance at Eagle Farm. Won the only time she attempted this track and trip. Beautifully placed and can strike today. EN POINTE (6) did a great job of scoring by a head over today's course and distance last start when she led from wider and dug deep. That took her strike rate at the track and trip to 50 percent. Likely to be there at the finish again. GODFATHER (4) couldn't get into the action when resuming at Randwick-Kensington but will be fitter and finds a more suitable race. IRING (5) must be respected after placing from this same draw last start at Sunshine Coast. IT'S GERRY (8) progressed off a fresh placing to score by 1.3 lengths last time over 1100m at Ipswich. Drawn for a soft run so could take the next step.
RACE 7 - GREAT ASPIRATIONS (5) was a big improver second-up when he raced on pace before drawing clear to score by 1.3 lengths over 1000m at Sunshine Coast. Will go forward and has upside so can go on with it. SINGLE TOUCH (2) kicked off the campaign with a win in country NSW before sticking on for third last time over 1200m at this track, beaten 1.3 lengths. Carries a big weight but is racing well. BONDED AFFAIR (7) didn't miss a place at the maiden campaign including an Ipswich win. Could go through his grades this time in along with PRESS LINK (8) who went straight to the paddock after a debut win here in November and is drawn for a soft run. INSTAGOOD (10) is better placed back in grade and won the lone attempt at this distance.
RACE 8 - LA PETITE MAISON (8) was a big improver at start number two when winning a maiden over this course and distance, scoring by a long neck. Sparingly raced and has more to offer. Big chance to score again. HURTS SO GOOD (6) is a promising type who has won fresh before and looks to be back in good order following a recent trial placing. This looks a suitable assignment. EUPHRATES DREAM (7) races well at this distance and will be ready to go off a trial win while TOW THE LINE (11) is another to keep safe fresh with the aid of the inside draw.
RACE 9 - LIVING FREE (1) led throughout for an easy win when resuming on the poly then pushed forward last time and battled on gamely to finish just a neck from the winner in second at this track and trip. Won his lone third-up attempt so should be at his peak. MISTER JONNO (5) has his first outing for Annabel Neasham after showing consistent form in Victoria last time in. Readied with a trial and drawn for a soft run so can measure up. LUDOVISI (2) has joined Tony Gollan since ending the last campaign with a Geelong win. Goes well at this journey and Orman rides. Placed in both fresh attempts and was readied with a trial. ZAKIYYA (11) does her best work at this distance and could take the next step after she got the job done last time at Ipswich.
