Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - VIALE (12) won a Doomben trial and resumed with a nose defeat at Grafton on a slow surface when heavily bet. The filly runs along and draws the paint. In good hands and with the extra fitness and learning should prove hard to beat. BALASTIER (1) resumes for the top Metro barn (Gollan) and owns a Deagon trial win. Maloney stacks from that and the colt is sure to have come on. A threat. GOLDEN SUN (2) presents on debut for a sharp Metro barn and has had three soft trials. Keep safe. ROSE OF LIBERTY (10) resumes and was beaten 2L at the Sunshine Coast on debut. She will be naturally improved and has a recent trial under the saddle. STAPLETON (6) debuts and has trialled well. Has a low gate and the blinkers applied.

RACE 2 - UNEGA WAHY'A (7) went close in an Open 2 at Doomben three-back and led at Grafton first-up beaten a nose. Fitter and should prove hard to peg back at an each-way quote. WALSH BAY (12) debuts and has been winning big at the Doomben trials. A live chance bringing that form to race day. THREE TEES (6) debuts for the premier barn with two trials under the saddle. Should be ready to go and Maloney rides. RUNAWAY TYCOON (4) debuts and owns a Deagon trial win. Draws better after scratchings. WILL IT SNOW (8) will be fitter and will enjoy a soft run. Has the race fitness.

RACE 3 - RASHFORD (2) peaks and has been narrowly beaten all three starts this preparation in better Maidens. There was a lip in it the latest at the Sunshine Coast heavily bet and he maps for the run of the race. He can go one better. BORN FEARLESS (1) is third up and will be much sharper over the mile. Four back he was heavily bet and narrowly beaten at Eagle Farm over the trip and that reads well. Quick improvement is anticipated. CRYPTIC SOUND (4) is also third-up and improved at Doomben against the above. She's on a quick backup and will appreciate the longer journey. The risk with her is getting bottled up from the rails draw. MERCHANT FLYER (3) can improve and Orman is a key jockey booking.

RACE 4 - Competitive. INTENTIONAL LASS (5) went close at Eagle Farm over a mile and was beaten a whisker at Grafton following bet odds-on. The middle distance will prove no bother and she gets weight relief at this level. Back-to-back wins beckon. ALIRAAJ (3) brings a win and a narrow defeat at this track/trip and is well-placed again. Races forward and will get every chance. KASEAR (7) relished the return to the turf belting a CL1 field at the Sunshine Coast by 3.3L on a heavy surface. Expect her to race forward again and give herself every chance to run out the extra journey. BRINGME (4) seeks the hat-trick building on the CL2 win here over 1666m. First go over this distance but all indications suggest it will suit. JETPACK VERDI (2) is in the premier barn and has needed racing. Has his first try on a wet surface and Orman is a key jockey switch. No surprise to see him improve.

RACE 5 - VALANTINO ROC (4) was on speed first up winning a sprint comfortably at Doomben and then lacked a kick there over the same trip. Has the talent and is at his optimum distance range. Go well. DEMON DELIVERA (3) also steps up from sprints. Took two dominant Toowoomba wins to a Doomben 78 and didn't have the best of it. The mile is likely to suit and he may be worth another chance. SHOWMAN (7) got too far back at Doomben last time but was threatening there prior and draws handy today. Keep him well onside. COOL ENCOUNTER (2) was expected to go close at Doomben but was a bit disappointing. Brought decent form to that and also deserves consideration.

RACE 6 - THE HINDUSTAN (9) is a former Victorian who wins at best. Had his first run for the new barn at Doomben over this distance and needed the outing. He's been freshened with a nice tick-over trial to keep him up to the mark. A top hoop rides and quick improvement is anticipated. MIRACLE SEVEN (13) raced over this distance at Doomben on debut and didn't get warm after settling rearward. She'd been well trialled and has an inside gate today with the blinkers first-time applied. Fitter and a much better effort is anticipated from the Waller-trained galloper. VIDYA (14) will be better back on the turf and the ex-NSW galloper is capable of better. RIDE FOR LUCK (8) is metro-trained and better than the numerical form suggests. Has a handy gate and can show more.

RACE 7 - JONNY DA WOLF (4) narrowly missed here and then at Doomben after. Peaks now and Orman is a key jockey switch. He's in good hands and will take plenty of beating. KILNA (5) resumes for the sharp Vandyke yard and was narrowly beaten here on debut. Has a wide gate but the high-striking stable favourite Maloney can manage that. Will be naturally improved and a bold effort is likely. NITROGEN (1) resumed on the Heavy at the Sunshine Coast and was safely held after a slow start. Missed a nose both runs last campaign including here. Keep Rodd and fitter can get some of the money. STORM DREAMER (10) resumed in good order in the same contest. Finally has a low gate and can keep improving. No surprise to see a much better effort from the Neasham-trained DILIGENTE (14) drawn to advantage.

RACE 8 - Competitive. EXCEED SPEED (7) raced forward and deserved the Maiden win here for the premier yard. Uses the rail and Rodd sticks aboard. Peaks now and is capable of taking the next step. MILITARY AWARD (8) is a former Victorian and got closer here second-up for the new barn. Finds a touch easier and maps for a soft run under Maloney. He's good enough and a sharper effort is anticipated. SOUTH SEA (9) took out the Doomben Maiden first up and is much improved. Has an awkward barrier but will present fitter and can't be ruled out. BRASCO (2) was good first up at Doomben and is sure to have come on. Has more to give and winning rider Orman is reunited. BLACK OPIUM (14) won of debut in NZ in a strong-form race and has switched to the Shailer yard on a 39-day return. Fancied in early markets so has to be kept onside.

RACE 9 - HELIKEDEMPRETTY (11) peaks and has been narrowly beaten twice at Doomben since the first-up win there. Keeps getting better and Callow sticks and will use the low barrier. Hard to beat. HURTS SO GOOD (8) didn't miss a beat resuming with a near miss at Doomben. Went back there after and didn't have the best of it from an awkward gate. Draws sticky again but Maloney sticks aboard the Gollan-trained galloper and he can feature with average luck. Stablemate RADIANT REMI (4) resumed in stronger at Eagle Farm and needed the outing. She will be much sharper today and has a low gate and handy 3kg claim. Keep very safe. KITRI (12) has been racing well at Doomben and is in the mix. PAIENBARA (3) resumes and has been tried at Group level. Usually needs one but he has good ability and might be presented more forward today. Worth a look at the price.