Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SNUGGLE BANG YAHOO (9) has been kept busy and is having his third start for the month. He ran on well enough at Townsville last time out and could have the last say in a very even maiden field. PRIDEOFTHEBIGFISH (2) had his first start for a new stable at Mackay 10 days ago and ran out of condition down the final stretch after contesting the lead. Ryan Wiggins steps into the irons and the pair merit healthy respect. THREDBO (10) ran her best race yet when finishing third at Townsville last start as favourite. She was an impressive trial winner before that and can get the job done this time.
RACE 2 - PURPOSE 'N' VISION (4) hit the line strongly fresh up here nearly a fortnight ago when getting a long way out of her ground early on. Senior hoop Lacey Morrison takes over from an apprentice and she can finish a lot closer this time. On top. IMPERIUM (8) should probably have won a race by now but he is racing very consistently and will appreciate drawing in the pole position. Denicious Smith has not missed a cheque in 4 rides on him and the pair merit healthy respect. ENUFF STOP IT (7) finished runner-up for new trainer Stefan Jokic and has another good draw. This is an even line-up and she gets her chance to break through. MAROONS (1) finished fifth after racing greenly on debut and will improve with that experience under his belt. He has a handy gate and should pick up a win at short notice. Include in all combinations.
RACE 3 - DON'T CHA WISH (3) will be peaking third up and was reported to have not handled the heavy track at Toowoomba last time out. She drops in trip but gets Ryan Wiggins in the saddle this time and should go close to taking this out. CATALINA DREAMING (6) has improved quickly since making the move from a Victorian stable earlier in the season. She won easily fresh up by leading all the way at Townsville and then was runner up there last time out when getting back in the run early on. She has options from a superior gate and will be hard to beat again. HE'S ALL POWER (4) went for a spell after winning on debut here last season and then looked to be in need of the run at Townsville when resuming. He will be spot-on second up and can take this out.
RACE 4 - BOHO BEAUTY (6) won fresh up for her new trainer at Innisfail last spring and then was immediately put aside for a spell. She has plenty of pace and is not too badly treated at the weights for her return. Ryan Wiggins keeps the ride and she can take them all of the way again. CARESSING RUPERT (8) is resuming from a spell and has a good record over this trip on the track. She benefits from a 1.5-kilo claim and is good enough to give this a shake. Keep an eye on the markets. GAME THEORY (4) has changed stables since last racing and he normally comes to hand quickly. He is likely to get back early on but if the gaps come at the right time, he could have the last say. REGAL CONQUEROR (5) was beaten by a nose in his first run on this track last December and since then he has won 3 races on the bounce, the last of those just over 7 weeks ago. He has options from a good draw and has been a proven weight carrier in the past. Stick with him.
RACE 5 - ZI WIN (2) ran a bold race as favourite when resuming here nearly a fortnight ago before his condition gave out late and he finished fourth. He normally improves quickly with racing and can make amends in this. Follow your money. SIMPLY BEANS (8) won here 3 starts back and was back into that sort of form when leading all of the way at Mareeba last time out and scoring by well over a length. She carries 3.5 kilos less this time courtesy of a claim and will be the one to peg back again. LADY DAMUS (9) is resuming from a spell that could be short of her best even though she has placed over this journey in the past. Ryan Wiggins in the saddle is a bonus and she can't be ruled out of winning this. MAIORI (6) will find this easier than her most recent starts and her recent freshen-up would have done her the world of good. She won a recent trial and is capable of taking this out.
RACE 6 - CROWNING MOMENT (6) made a timely return to the winners' circle here nearly a fortnight ago with a tough victory by a nose. This is his pet trip and he won't find this much harder. With a kilo less to carry this time, he can repeat the dose. BOLD FEELING (7) did not really fire fresh up in his first run in North Queensland at Townsville just over 2 weeks ago. The blinkers come off and he finds himself drawn in the pole position this time. He drops 3.5 kilos in weight and can improve quickly. Each-way value. INDICTMENT (2) has finished runner-up in his last couple of starts at Townsville and has a good record on his home track. His next win is not far away and Ryan Wiggins sticks with him. Hard to beat. TEN SCHILLING (3) did not fire at Townsville last start but has a much better record on his home track and can make amends. Stick with him on an each-way basis.
RACE 7 - MYSTERY 'N' MAGIC (5) is a quality gelding around this area and he built strongly for his last start win at Townsville a month ago by half a length. He is just as good on this circuit and is nicely weighted with only 55.5 kilos on his back. Another win is not beyond him. NEBARAZ (12) only beat 3 other runners when winning here last time out but did so by 3 lengths. He drops 7.5 kilos from that run and even though he is up in class, he has to be hard to beat again. INVESTOR (7) has a good record on his home track and came home with a rush when finishing runner-up here nearly a fortnight ago. He usually improves with racing and has won twice over this longer trip in the past. He can go one better. INCHING CLOSER (6) did not let down as expected second up last start after an encouraging run for third fresh up on this track. He is suited by the extra 150 metres and can bounce straight back into the money here. Each-way value.
RACE 8 - VILA TINTO (3) has raced his way into some good form again and fought on bravely as favourite at Home Hill most recently, finishing third on what was an unsuitable wet track that day. He will be better served by a firmer surface and with conditions to suit, he can take this out. BURNS TO EMBRACE (6) made the move to North Queensland from the Annabel Neasham stable and the quieter stable and easier company have agreed with him as he broke through for an overdue win here last time out. He is only lightly tried for a 5-year-old gelding and there is more in store for him. Go again. BETTA AL (5) has a good record on his home track and he will be nearing his peak fitness third up in this. He is ready to be tested over 1400 metres for the first time and he is capable of testing his rivals here. FODOR (2) won here over 950 metres by well over 3 lengths in his penultimate run and then was only nailed on the line last time out, finishing second by a nose. Stick with him.
