Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - RASHFORD (1) kept coming to only just miss by a head when fresh from a spell last start over 1350m at this track. Sure to derive great benefit from that run. Strong claims. ARAMINTA (6) stuck on well to only go under by 0.4L at Doomben last time. Will be nearing peak fitness fourth up. Major player. KALENDS (3) made a good return two weeks ago when she was in contention on the bend before boxing on for fourth over 1350m at this track. Fitter and races well at this longer distance. Big chance. FORBIDDEN APPLE (8) drifted well back last start before winding up strongly to just miss when second over 1400m at Sunshine Coast Poly. Can progress further third up. DISCOVER (2) has claims off a nose defeat here two back.
RACE 2 - TRANSATLANTIC (1) closed well first up then progressed nicely last start, drawing away to score by 3.4 lengths at Eagle Farm. Switches to a track where he is yet to miss a place and draws well. Has his share of talent and can go on with it. RED DEFCON (4) ran on well for third when resuming in the QTIS Jewel over 1200m at Gold Coast. Fitter so can progress up in trip. ICHIBAN (3) is racing well at this track, winning his maiden fresh and placing last time. Cannot be underestimated. SHOWDRA (11) made ground in a resuming fourth and can progress with extra fitness under the belt.
RACE 3 - TALTARNI FIELDS (12) has raced just once and performed well for a 1.6L second over 1000m at Eagle Farm before going for a break eight months ago. Sharpened for this with a recent trial win. Among the leading chances. ABOUT TO EXPLODE (1) showed promise on debut last time out when runner up at this track and trip, running on to be beaten 1.7 lengths. Likely improver so another bold showing is expected. RUSTIC TZAR (9) was runner up at Gatton in his only run last October but was readied for this with a trial win. ADRANOS (2) made an encouraging debut last time out, finishing 2 lengths from the winner in third at this course and distance. Improver with claims.
RACE 4 - MARGOT'S BULLSEYE (8) returns after four-and-a-half months in the paddock. Closed the last campaign with a fifth over 1200m at this track. Looks ready to go following a minor placing in a recent trial. Can make a winning return. READY AND LUCKY (9) is improving with racing, last time finishing second at this track and trip, beaten 1.5 lengths. Closing in on a win. TOP ACT (12) has filled a minor placing at both runs to date, the latest when beaten a nose into third over 1175m at Grafton. Orman goes aboard. Could be tough to hold out. Debutant INSPIRATIONAL DIVA (3) placed in a trial and has the Maloney/Vandyke combination behind her. Keep safe.
RACE 5 - LUBRICATION (4) last appeared in October when a good fifth over 1200m at this track, beaten 2 lengths in his only run of the campaign. Readied with two trials, winning the latest. Does his best work at this distance. Leading contender. HURTS SO GOOD (3) closed off strongly for second when resuming last start, beaten a long neck at this track and distance. Carries a big weight but Maloney sticks. Winning chance. HELL AND BACK (6) missed narrowly fresh then atoned with a maiden win last time. Yet to miss a place. Could go on with it. POLARISING (11) scored a fresh win then went forward last start over 1175m at Grafton and held on well for second, beaten a nose. Contender. TELLEZ (9) is suited dropping back to the distance that has yielded his best result.
RACE 6 - QUOTHQUAN (15) has produced some nice efforts since a fresh win at this track, last time finishing one length from the winner in fourth over 1600m at Eagle Farm. Does his best work here and has the talent to figure prominently. LADY LE DA (7) has been racing well and caught the eye last start, running on to miss by a head when placed over 1600m at Eagle Farm. Draws out but with a touch of luck can go one better. MANNERHEIM (16) has yet to miss a place and was good in second when resuming last start over 1350m at this track. Fitter and is likely to be in the finish. FIVE CROWNS (2) scored a determined win by a nose over 1600m here last time. Among the main chances.
RACE 7 - MISS JOELENE (12) is a talented filly who was last seen when she tackled the G1 Flight Stakes at Randwick in September. Flies fresh with two wins and a placing from three attempts and has been readied with a trial. VALANTINO ROC (5) returned from a spell last start with a strong win by 1.4 lengths at this track and trip. Has won second-up before so could go on with it. VEANDECHANCE (10) ran a good race last start, finishing 1.7 lengths away in fourth over 1650m at this track. Back in trip but can measure up. TIP OF THE SPEAR (4) draws well and has been solid in both runs since a spell so could peak. BRAVELY (7) kicked off the campaign with two wins at Grafton before running on to place last time at Eagle Farm. Respect up in trip.
RACE 8 - KANAZAWA (10) broke through for a win last start when second up from a spell, scoring by a neck over this distance at Eagle Farm. Has a strong record third up with two wins and a placing from four attempts so can go on with it. ASTERO (2) proved too good when returning from a break last time, scoring by a head over 1200m at Kembla Grange. Open to plenty of improvement so has winning claims again. NORTHERN EXPRESS (8) didn't miss by much when placed last start after kicking off the campaign with back-to-back wins. Going well and has claims. TIDAL CREEK (6) and EAGLEMONT (4) have both trialled well enough to expect good returns.
RACE 9 - HELIKEDEMPRETTY (5) is going well having scored a first-up win at this course before fighting on well for second at this track and trip. Has a win and a placing from two attempts when third-up so a big run is on the cards. TYPHOON TAAVI (1) raced on pace and stuck on okay when resuming in a higher-graded race. Will be improved by that. Likely to progress. LAYDOWNLILY (6) kicked off the campaign with a hat trick of wins before a fourth over this trip at Gold Coast last start. Has the gate speed to take up a forward position. Can be thereabouts. MORITZ GIRL (9) is a progressive filly who races well fresh. Readied with two trials so can make an impact.
RACE 10 - BILLIONAIR BABY (5) last appeared 11 months ago but was readied for his return with a trial win. Won his lone attempt at this course and distance. Capable of playing a major role. POLE POSITION (2) did well when resuming at this track and trip last start, finishing third and beaten 1.3 lengths. Has a solid second-up record and will strip much fitter for this. Among the winning hopes. HELL AND BACK (14) missed narrowly fresh then atoned with a maiden win last time. Yet to miss a place. Could go on with it. MONTE OUTLANDER (13) resumes off some good form so is worth keeping safe.
