Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ALONTRO (6) was narrowly beaten here and then wasn't fancied at Mackay in stronger grade over further. This suits much better and Morrison replaces the apprentice. He gets another chance. KAISA (5) has been around the mark in her last two and finally draws a reasonable barrier. She's also running out of chances but this isn't strong. EYES ARE LION (2) easily ran his best race narrowly beaten at Mackay. He's a live chance holding that form. NAHEIGHTKAY (1) has been giving away starts but did a good job two back at Mackay and then had excuses there following. Lightly raced and deserves consideration. SNUGGLE BANG YAHOO (8) gets a top hoop and will be around the mark.
RACE 2 - RAZMENT (1) spiked his figures narrowly beaten here over 1400m in stronger grade. Enjoys the mile and racing at peak fitness will go close. MOOLOOLABA (5) was back to his best delivering the win here this grade/trip as expected. Carries more weight but races forward and will get every chance to repeat. TAVISTEEL (3) positioned just off the lead in the same contest beaten 1L. Keeps improving and no surprise if she bounces back. CONQUERING JUDAS (6) missed a nose here over this distance in a 58. Has weight relief in stronger class and is going well enough to consider.
RACE 3 - HEAD HONCHO (1) has switched barns and will be better for the two in Open 2s at Doomben and the Gold Coast. Just missed three times at Doomben at that level before the spell. Gets a gear switch and the youngster will take beating. FORGETABOUTIT (2) has been within range both starts this preparation and raced a short-priced favourite the latest. He races handy and the longer sprint is likely to suit. MR GRUMBLER (6) had good support in that race but didn't finish it off. He can go a lot better over 1200m.
RACE 4 - CHILLI JAM (8) is a leader who has been winning by spaces. Draws Has an inside barrier today and a handy 2kg claim. Keeps improving and can extend the picket fence. CROWNING MOMENT (4) finished well second up to be narrowly beaten. Drops back to a shorter sprint but should be fresh enough to manage. FIVE BULLS (5) finished just behind the above in the same race. Has the inside gate today and Butler is a positive jockey engagement. Peaks and he's a chance as well. ICE SKATER (9) is speedy and spiked her figures at Mackay. Has weight relief and goes into the exotics at a big price.
RACE 5 - Competitive. HURTLE (4) rides the speed and has won his last three here heavily bet. Has to step out to 1200m today and in his current form is likely to manage. YES DREAM (1) resumed further improved just missing behind Hurtle. Has won 3/5 this course/distance and a top hoop stays aboard. Fitter and is also a decent chance. Ditto CAPTAIN BOND (6) who brings strong form to resumption. Uses the inside barrier and flies fresh.ACROBATIC (2) resumes and has switched from a Brisbane. Has two nice efforts at Eagle Farm in the immediate form and they stack right up. He's trialled well and Butler's booking suggests he's pleasing.
RACE 6 - A good race. CATALINA DREAMING (9) resumed here with an easy all-the-way Maiden win heavily supported. She's switched from a Victorian barn and looks capable of winning better races. Has a handy 2kg claim and the speed to manage the awkward barrier. BEAU RAIN (1) resumes and is right up to this if presented on song. Just missed this grade before the spell and flies fresh. The blinkers first-time applied. HE'S ALL POWER (7) resumes off an easy heavy track win at Cairns on debut. He has the blinkers applied today and is sure to have come on. Tipping he'll be at least as good if he gets a better surface. NAZORIAN (2) is busting to win and keeps the 3kg claim. Maps for the run of the race and also deserves consideration.
RACE 7 - AOLANI (10) switched from a Victorian barn and belted a Maiden field here first-up heavily bet. The money came again at Mackay following and she missed a whisker after a luckless run. Fitter with a handy 3kg claim and is likely to be on speed today. She's the one to beat. BOLD FEELING (1) is a former Victorian on resumption. He was an easy synthetic winner on debut and had excuses in Adelaide after. Has a low gate and keep very safe. MISS SHALAA (11) resumed in the same race beaten 1L. She much improved and maps for a soft run from an inside barrier. She's should be around the mark at a price. Ditto MAMA'S MAN (3) who is a leader and he won his Maiden here easily. Strips fitter and goes in at odds.
RACE 8 - COUNTER COMMAND (8) has won two of his last three and it was easy in a Cairns 60 the latest. He races forward and is capable of further improvement. Briefly freshened and is a decent chance to repeat the dose. BRINGYATICKET (13) just missed the hat-trick here in better class and back to 1300m should advantage. 2x winning rider Butler is reunited and that helps offset the wide gate. MISS SEATTLE (1) has a cruel barrier but has plenty of early speed. She's been knocking on the door in Open grade and will be fitter again. Has a handy 2kg claim and will be around the mark with average luck. TEN SCHILLING (11) finds easier and is a second-up winner with more to give. May be next best.
