Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SUPER FAIR (9) has been around the mark on the Gold Coast poly, and returning to the turf won't bother. He comes right into it after scratchings and will prove hard to beat. HILLSIDE ROAD (3) hasn't hit his straps since the switch from a top Victorian yard. Third up today and gets a senior hoop for the apprentice. No surprise to see him make quick improvement. CALM BUCKLE (2) needed the first-up outing. Went well his only run the prior preparation and with the extra fitness can go a lot better. BENFICA LASS (4) is another galloper who can improve second-up in a weak race.
RACE 2 - Tricky. UPSTART LEGEND (8) resumes in easier and is building a nice record. Enjoys the track/trip and has trialled well. Will be naturally improved and has a senior jockey aboard. SWISS BABE (6) resumes and won here first up last preparation following the switch from a top Victorian barn. Owns a trial win and has an advantageous barrier and a 2kg claim. Her best form would have her in the finish. SNEAKY SHARK (2) resumes and has switched from a sharp Sydney stable. May need one but has pieces of form that would see him very competitive. ORACOLO (3) has race fitness and is going well.
RACE 3 - Heathcote-trained FLYWHEEL (4) has been racing in stronger Maidens and drops back to a sprint following a 46-day freshen. He's been kept up to the mark with a sharp Doomben trial and a top metro hoop sticks from that. Draws the paint and is suited. WESTOAK (6) placed at Doomben over shorter first-up and hasn't run out the longer sprints the two since. They have been in better city company. Finds slightly shorter and with Thornton reunited is worth another chance. JENNI MOREESE (8) resumes and has switched from a leading Victorian barn. She was backed off the map on debut and a post-race vet check revealed a slow recovery. Has a handy gate and needs to be kept safe. ALL WIN (3) placed second by a nose last start at this track and should race on the speed. Can figure in the finish.
RACE 4 - TRICKETEER (5) is a local on resumption. He had just one start last preparation placing at Ipswich over a short sprint as favourite. The prior form stacks right up and he's likely to come back further improved. Goes fresh and rates to be right in it. I AM A MARVEL (4) is a leader who placed here first-up before delivering an easy Maiden win at Ipswich. Draws to advantage and Callow sticking is a decent push for his chances. Fitter and no surprise if he goes on with the job. DEAR PRUDENCE (9) led and delivered a heavy track Sunshine Coast Maiden win following a switch from a sharp Sydney yard. She's been freshened and kept up to the mark with a 650m trial win. Lightly-raced and looks capable of taking the next step. INATICK (7) resumes and has shown enough to consider. Led and won easily his only fresh run and will be naturally improved. The awkward barrier needs managing.
RACE 5 - TIPPED OFF (18) is in the State's premier stable (Gollan) and did enough at Doomben on debut to suggest this is within his scope. Strips fitter and maps for a soft run. NOMIKAI (3) was spelled off a promising debut at the Sunshine Coast and was heavily bet here first-up run but couldn't run down a dominant winner. Strips fitter and gets Dolan for the apprentice. A live chance. Gollan-trained SHE'S GOT LYRICS (16) settled too far back at Doomben on debut and is likely to go a lot better with that run under the saddle. Draws handier today and is in easier grade. SKIEDA (12) debuts and has trialled well. Worth a look at a price.
RACE 6 - FUN SPONGE (3) resumes for the Currie barn with Noel Callow a key jockey engagement. Brings strong form and owns a trial win. He's won 2/3 fresh and is 3/3 this course and should prove hard to beat. VONZITHER (10) resumed here this grade and made nice inroads placing second. She has more to give and has early speed. Fitter and is a chance. SINGLE DIZIRE (6) resumes and owns a big trial win. Sharp on the fresh side and is also a chance. SPILL THE TEARS (9) resumes and also goes fresh. Good at best and can't be ruled out.
RACE 7 - Competitive. BEAN ROCKING (2) put the writing on the wall at Ipswich and then went back and delivered a CL2 over 1400m. Has the handy 2kg claim in easier grade and the early speed to clear the wide gate. He may go on with it now. DEMON DELIVERA (4) turned his form completely around spacing a CL3 field here over this trip. He has shown plenty of promise early doors and looks to be back on track. UNLEASH (11) won her Maiden here as expected and then surprised the market when beaten just 2.5L at Eagle Farm. That rates well and she maps for the run of the race. JUBILANT (12) is third up and can show more. Maps for a soft run.
