Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BELLA TIVACI (2) is on a quick backup after she was sent out favourite on Saturday and finished fifth over 1800m at Eagle Farm. Won't be bothered by this longer journey. Drawn for a soft run and is ideally placed back in grade. Strong claims. KERKORIAN (4) was a Sunshine Coast winner two back then gave a big sight last start, leading and fighting well to be edged out by a nose over 2076m at Kilcoy. Jake Bayliss goes back aboard having scored on him two back. Major player. GRIPPING (1) goes up a rung or two but he is worth serious consideration following back-to-back wins at Toowoomba. JOE MAMA (5) turned things around last start and landed the prize by 0.8 lengths over 1800m at Gold Coast. Draws well so expect another big run.
RACE 2 - OCEANS OF ENERGY (9) resumes after ending the last campaign with attempts at Stakes races in Sydney and Melbourne. Proven both fresh and at this course and distance. Readied with two trials, placing in both. Expect a strong return. HELIKEDEMPRETTY (5) raced on the speed and kept going to score by a long neck when resuming last time out over 1110m at this track. Drawn to take a nice trail just off the speed. Anticipating another big run. THE ASTRONOMER (4) built on a nice second when fresh two starts back at Grafton with a win over 1250m at Ballina, getting home by 2.8 lengths. Could take the next step. KITRI (8) can progress off the fresh placing.
RACE 3 - RINGER'S REWARD (1) will find this much easier than her last attempt in the QTIS Jewel at Gold Coast and had been racing well before that with a string of placings up to G3 level. This grade suits. METALART (3) led all the way to score as favourite on debut over 1200m at this track two weeks ago. Likely improver with bright prospects again. READY TO PARDON (7) missed by a nose when fresh then was too good for a maiden field last start over 1350m at Ipswich. Sparingly raced with more to offer and Ryan Maloney sticks. MILITARY AWARD (5) resumes from a spell of ten weeks and is having his outing under new trainer Matthew Dunn. Won his maiden two back at Geelong. Capable of playing a role.
RACE 4 - SHOWMAN (5) is ready to win after he made it three placings from as many runs this time in when beaten a nose into second over 1650m at this track. Race fit so could break through. FIVE CROWNS (3) worked home when beaten 2.8L over this journey at Eagle Farm last start. Will enjoy a drop in class so he is a major player. ICHIBAN (6) accounted for a maiden field over 1640m at this track last start when fresh from a break. Tougher task but looks to have come back in good order so can be competitive again. Last-start placegetter BITOFTHEBLARNEY (8) is in the mix again.
RACE 5 - SKYWRITER (12) kicked off the campaign with back-to-back placings in Victoria then headed north and stuck on when beaten 3.4L as favourite at this track and trip last time. Race fit and Maloney goes on. Worth another chance. HOT SUMMER (3) made an encouraging return when runner-up at this track two starts back before working home for fifth over 1200m last time. Building in fitness and the longer trip suits. VELOZES (14) settled back but knuckled down strongly to get within 1.5 lengths of the winner in second when on debut over 1200m at this track. Should be improved and expected to enjoy the longer distance. KALENDS (11) returns from a layoff of four-and-a-half months. Worth noting she has filled a minor placing in both fresh attempts and has been readied with a solid trial.
RACE 6 - WESTOAK (8) will enjoy a class drop after tackling open 3YO company last time out over 1400m at Eagle Farm to follow a minor placing at this track when fresh from a spell the run prior. Well-placed and draws for a soft run so can strike. ARAMINTA (12) was in the money first up at Gatton then settled back but worked home to be beaten 2.6L last time out over 1200m at this track. She'll appreciate a longer trip third up. EXCEED SPEED (1) will be improved by the fresh placing and is lightly raced with upside so is right in contention. RIDE FOR LUCK (9) has been thereabouts, placing two back before working home for fourth at this track and trip last time. The blinkers go on and can feature.
RACE 7 - PRIME ASSET (5) will be fitter for recent racing and boxed on well last start over 1200m at Eagle Farm to be beaten 1.5 lengths into fifth. This looks a little easier and he has a solid record at this course and distance. RISING PACIFIC (2) returns from a break of four months. Was racing in great heart last prep with three consecutive wins. May want further but has raced well fresh in the past and has trialled. PATTON (1) scored here two back, taking his record at the venue to three from five. Respect. BOWRIDER (6) draws well and can show more third up.
