Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - FLAME TREE STAR (6) raced wide but still managed to find the line well and finish third on debut last start over this course and distance. Will derive great benefit from that experience and appeals as the one to beat. KALUAKOI (3) last appeared when he started at $15 but was tailed off behind the smart Switzerland over this distance at Randwick on 27 January. Has been transferred from Waterhouse/Bott to Peter Sinclair. Won a recent trial and is right in this. UNEGA WAHY'A (1) returns from a five-month break. Recent Gold Coast trial winner who must be respected if popular in the market. SCION (4) next best.
RACE 2 - WANNAWINWIN (3) loomed up before the corner then went right on with the job last time out over this course and distance. Steps up in grade but drops 1kg so she is certainly in the mix again. I'MTIMMYZOU (4) led but couldn't sprint at the end of a mile here a fortnight ago. Won a Bm58 over this trip here on 7 March - in the mix if he finds that form. Veteran NATURE BOY (2) hasn't landed a glove in three runs this time in work but gets to a more suitable trip now so give him another chance. SUBVERSIVE (5) is a hard mare to catch but is a winner at this course and distance and gets in very well after the claim.
RACE 3 - BEEBEE (5) returned from a nine-month break with a very close second over 1012m at this track last start. Lightly raced gelding who gets beyond five furlongs for the first time which looks a positive move. Wide gate the only concern. MANIC LIGHT (3) over-raced so did a fair job to hang on for fourth when resuming from a five-month spell over 1025m here a fortnight ago. Looks to have settled in better now under the care of local trainer Dwayne Schmidt. Open to further improvement. CASEBOLT (11) is back after a five-month spell for new trainer Matthew Dunn. Opened her maiden prep with a minor placing at Bathurst. Betting watch advised. MUM KNOWS (16) had no luck first-up so her effort to be beaten under two lengths over 1020m here had merit. Capable of a top-three finish.
RACE 4 - MISSION RIDGE (1) impressed first-up at Ipswich then was looking for more ground last start when fifth over 800m at the same circuit. Very fit and finds the right race today. INLANDA (4) came with a well-timed run to score by half a length first-up over this course and distance in a Class 1. Tackles a better field today but he is lightly raced and progressing well so from a nice gate he is a definite contender. PLAYIN' THRU (6) returns from a five-month spell for new trainer Brad Munro. No trial form to assist. Blinkers on for the first time which is noteworthy. ANOTHER BALCONYBOY (5) loomed up on the bend but failed to finish off at his latest appearance over this course and distance. Freshened up and can bounce back.
RACE 5 - FRIEND IN NEED (10) recorded her fourth minor placing from five career runs when a closing third last start over this course and distance. Registered clearly her best figure at this stage last prep at Doomben so expect she has more to give this afternoon. TOP ACT (14) has been in the money at all three appearances, most recently an eye-catching third over 1200m at Doomben. Sure to be tough to hold out as she gets to this trip for the first time. CLUBHOUSE (6) flashed home to just miss when resuming at this track two starts back. Was looking for further last time when down the track over 1100m at Ipswich. Capable of a better run with the step up in distance. The resuming DUMA (8) also holds claims and is worth considering.
RACE 6 - ANOTHER SUCCESS (1) has been tried over longer trips at his last couple of runs and struggled, most recently over 1730m at this track. Last raced over 1400m when a close at Armidale three runs back. Likely improver. I SAW THE LIGHT (8) made it two seconds from as many runs when she worked home from midfield last time out over this trip at Beaudesert. Draws out but might go forward this time with winkers on. Definite contender. OUR SPARKY (10) progressed nicely a fortnight ago when lining up for just the second time, finding one better over 1730m here. Back in trip is the query but cannot be ruled out. LIGHTNING RAGE (3) showed pace and boxed on well to fill a hole on debut at Warwick recently. Likely to appreciate the step up in journey. WITHOUT A DOUBT (14) caught the eye first-up over 1200m here and should be tough to hold out.
RACE 7 - CABSAV (8) has never raced better. Made it two wins in a row when he had to dig deep under a big weight to prevail in a Bm66 over this course and distance a fortnight ago. Steps up sharply in grade but drops a huge 5.5kgs so he is a major player again. OAKFIELD DUKE (6) has been in the money at three of his last four runs, most recently closing well for a close second over 1100m at Ipswich. A slight query out to this trip but he races well here so must be included. LA AMIGO (2) is out of form but drops in grade today and is a distance specialist. ANDY (7) improved sharply last start at the second run of the prep in open company at this track. Big chance with a repeat of that effort.
RACE 8 - THE MAXINATOR (10) returned in great style last start over 1195m at this track, storming home to be beaten just 0.6 lengths by the in-form Cabsav. Has won twice from three second-up runs. Draws a little better today so he has the right profile to take this out. BONJOUR RUPERT (11) travelled a bit keenly but finished the race of nicely to get up for second last time out over this course and distance. Very fit galloper who is nearing a long overdue win. YUKANUMA (12) is not racing well but is back in grade at his favourite track so might surprise a few. SIR BOO (9) next best.
