Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CAESAR CAKE (7) is close to a win after placing in her last three outings. Came home strongly last start to finish second, beaten one length over 2000m at Gatton. Gets her chance to strike. LADY DEANNE (9) improved last start but found one better over 2200m at this track, beaten 2 lengths after being prominent on the turn. Finds a suitable race and can figure in the finish. SUBAQUA (5) is knocking on the door having placed in both runs since a spell, missing by just a nose last start over 2000m at Toowoomba. Contender. KENSHIN MARU (4) has claims off a placing three back at this track.
RACE 2 - TORO STRIKE (5) is a Toronado gelding who was a $60,000 yearling purchase. Showed good promise with easy trial win in his latest hitout. Expect a strong showing on debut. LUCKY MAN (3) showed improvement when only a neck from the winner in second last time out over 860m at Gatton. Has the gate speed to take up a forward position. Contender. BACK SEAT CUDDLES (1) did a good job on debut last time out, finishing 1.5 lengths from the winner in second over 800m at Warwick. Open to improvement. ASTIN LANE (6) is a two-year-old Vancouver filly stepping out on debut for the Nolan team. Has worked well in her lead up work and warrants a market watch.
RACE 3 - DEEP MYSTIQUE (7) returns from a spell of 11 months but will be fit enough for this following off a couple of trials, winning the latest. Won the only time she raced on turf so has strong claims. CHAKRA BOY (2) finished off last campaign in good form, recording a win and two placings in his last three outings at this venue. Has an honest record and draws well so can make a strong return. EVERLASTING STARS (1) has four placings from seven starts this prep and last start finished 1.3 lengths from the winner in second over 1000m at Sunshine Coast. Must be included in calculations. EVELYN'S JOY (5) made the immediate impact here last start when scoring impressively on debut. Drawn to advantage and can give this a big shake.
RACE 4 - JONNY DA WOLF (3) will strip fitter for this after running below expectations as favourite first-up at Doomben. Showed ability when placed in his two city runs of last campaign and draws for a soft run. Finds the right race this time and can win. SALAMANCAS (4) resumes from a four-and-a-half month spell after two close-up efforts as favourite during the maiden campaign including a placing here. Readied with two trials so can be right in the finish. WHITE CHRISTMAS (5) made ground when he finished 2.5 lengths away over 1400m at Grafton on debut. Has plenty of scope for improvement. LASQUETI BOOM (9) was an eye-catcher when resuming at the latest. Worth following up.
RACE 5 - BLUE RAY (3) was prominent at the corner and ran a good race last start to finish a close third over 1600m at Eagle Farm, beaten only a length. Steps up to the distance that produced his lone win the only time he attempted it so is likely to play a big role. WHO ORDERED DAFISH (8) was a beaten favourite in the city last time but was going well before that with a win and two placings from his previous three. Only missed by a neck as runner up two back at Eagle Farm so is worth another chance. Smaller cases can also be made for MARTEDI (2) and QUEST OF QUESTS (7)
RACE 6 - XPRESSO (2) returns from a spell of ten weeks and is having his first run for a new yard. Had good city form last time in including a second two back at Randwick over 1100m. Races well fresh with two wins and two placings from five attempts and should be ready to fire off two trials, winning the latest. MATTER OF HONOUR (1) is a newcomer to the Dwayne Schmidt from NZ. Hasn't raced for three-and-a-half months but scored two back at Riccarton Park. Can measure up. OAKFIELD DUKE (4) worked home well to finish just 1.6 lengths from the winner in third over 1175m at Grafton last start. His record at this journey is strong so can figure in the finish. The resuming ALAMIRA (3) also holds claims.
RACE 7 - TALK TIME (3) drew wide and settled near the tail but worked home for fifth when resuming at Gold Coast over 1200m last time. Won his lone second-up attempt so should be improved and can take much closer order from the inside stall. SIAN STAR (4) is racing very well at this course and distance, scoring back-to-back wins before going under by just a head last time. Must rate highly off that form. DWINDLING SPIRIT (17) made an encouraging return when he went under by just a head. His only win came when he was second up at this course and distance. History could repeat. FLYING BIRDS (8) scored two back at Ballina then chased well to get within 0.8 lengths of the winner in second last start at this track and trip. Go well again.
