Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky. PERIGEAN (6) resumes gelded for the premier barn and has switched from a leading Sydney stable. Raced well at Goulburn before the spell and he owns a Doomben trial win. A key stable striker (Maloney) sticks from that and a bold run is anticipated. MAKE IT SO (9) looked good at the trials and just missed here on debut over 800m. Found the line nicely and the longer sprint shouldn't bother. Orman stays aboard adding to the confidence. NO NAME FRANK (2) debuts and owns a Doomben trial win. Has an inside gate and a bold run can be anticipated. DILIGENTE (11) resumes for a leading metro barn and has trialled well at Doomben. Will be naturally improved and showed enough on debut to consider. TAMAHAGANE (8) won a Doomben trial and was beaten a whisker at Beaudesert on debut. She is a hope building on that.
RACE 2 - GOSPEL GIRL (5) surprised the market winning comfortably at Doomben on debut and then proved it no fluke when beaten 1L there in a 65. She's in the top stable and a top hoop stays aboard. She's sure to keep improving. DISNEY CASTLE (7) has been switched from Chris Waller's Sydney yard on a 3-week return. Was vet cleared following a disappointing effort in a Wyong 72 but missed a whisker the two prior at Hawkesbury and Warwick Farm in 64s. They stack right up and no surprise to see her back on track. CARTWHEELS (10) resumes and was last seen winning her Maiden here by 5.3L on a heavy track. Expect her to be just as good on the soft and she's trialled well for the return. Maps for the run of the race and has upside. CAPITAL CEE (1) led and won his Maiden here easily and has more to give. Has a handy 2kg claim and he's also a hope.
RACE 3 - OUR MAGNUS (1) resumed further improved beaten a whisker in a CL6 at Eagle Farm and then went back and was only 2L adrift in a 78. Tumbles in grade with a 2kg claimer booked. Draws for a soft run and with the extra fitness will take plenty of beating. KINETIC (11) brings strong city form and will carry just 53.5 kgs. Found one better at Eagle Farm last time improving again. In the premier barn and is right in it. INVAHIR (2) seeks the hat-trick following a heavily bet CL3 win at Beaudesert. This is harder but he gets plenty of weight relief and the leading course striker Callow stays aboard. He can control the race and is sure to give a sight. APERITIVO (4) has been switched from a leading Victorian barn and has been racing in city company. May find some of these a bit slick but she has the class and has to be kept safe.
RACE 4 - The Gollan yard holds the aces. EXCEED SPEED (7) found a place at Doomben first-up when expected to need it and then spiked his figures there when missing a whisker from the front. Keeps Rodd and maps for a soft run. He's sure to keep improving. HE GOES BOOM (10) presents third up for Gollan and finished just behind Exceed Speed at Doomben. Fitter but again has to contend with an awkward gate. FLYWHEEL (8) found one better at Toowoomba when expected to win. Callow rides and will use the low barrier. May need longer now but deserves consideration. ELROY (3) resumes and brings decent city form. A player if presented on song.
RACE 5 - ALIRAAJ (4) spiked his figures at Eagle Farm and then dropped back to this distance here winning this grade/trip. He will make his own luck from the rail and has a handy 3kg claim. No surprise if he went back-to-back. GRIPPING (1) followed comfortable wins at Toowoomba with a decent effort at Doomben in a CL3. Has the handy 2kg claim and can fight out the finish. PAPAL MISS (7) was back to her best narrowly beaten here this grade/distance. That stacks up and she is also a chance. TAVISTORM (3) peaks and will be sharper back on the turf. In the mix.
RACE 6 - MANNERHEIM (3) resumes and before spelling he led and won his Maiden here easily over this distance. He was expected to win at Doomben first up but found one better over a sprint. Needs the mile and fitter he can go one better with Maloney sticking in the saddle. Stablemate BITOFTHEBLARNEY (1) ran his best race winning the 68 at Doomben. That stacks up and Orman is a handy replacement for Maloney. He looks to have turned the corner and should be right in it. ROCKED (7) has been prepared for this with three Sunshine Coast Poly track outings. He has pieces of turf form that would see him in the finish. Peaks now and a much better effort is anticipated. ENTERPRISE LASSIE (5) brings good poly form and will be fitter. In the mix from the awkward barrier.
RACE 7 - QUOTHQUAN (2) spiked his figures beaten 1L at Eagle Farm over a mile. Missed a whisker three back at Doomben over this distance fresh. Will give away a start but will hit the line hard. Go close with average luck. AITUTAKI (11) led and belted the Grafton Maidens by 2.7L following a nice effort at Doomben. She was heavily backed and presents today at peak fitness. Draws for a soft run and is a chance to go back-to-back. DRIALLE (1) went close at Eagle Farm and resumed here with a nose defeat this grade/trip. He will build on that and Rodd will give him every chance from a handy barrier. RED VICAR (5) has switched from a top Victorian barn and is up to this if presented on song. Ormans' booking suggests he will be and he's warmed up with a Doomben trial.
RACE 8 - A good contest. AERIAL DANCER (9) resumed and showed a stack of promise her first preparation. Spaced the Sunshine Coast Maidens the latest and has prepared for this with a big trial win on the poly. Uses the rail and this is winnable if the money comes. NEW LEVEL (1) switched from a leading Victorian barn and was good at Eagle Farm first up beaten 1.6L. He was expected to need it and has plenty up his sleeve. Maps for a soft run and Orman is a key jockey switch. SKYWRITER (5) quickly found her best Victorian form belting the Doomben Maidens by 1.8L. Hits this race at peak and Maloney stays aboard the Waller-trained galloper. She can go on but needs plenty of luck from an outside barrier. DWINDLING SPIRIT (6) will be better for the two runs back. He has more to give and will be around the mark. VICTORIA ROC (4) has been knocking on the door in town and has been freshened. Consider.
RACE 9 - Gollan-trained GREAT ASPIRATIONS (2) made it two wins from his last three with a comfortable win here in a CL3. Raced even money and hits this race at peak fitness. Has an awkward gate to manage but keeps Maloney and count on him to manage. Will take beating. SELOUS (3) switched from Godolphin and was slow out at the Gold Coast first-up. Four winners have come out of that and he's capable of quick improvement. Has the figures and keep very safe. CASROCK (8) resumes in easier and brings a sharp trial from Doomben. Flies fresh and likes the course and trip. Will race handy and is a hope. TOP BIRD (14) has been flying in the country and expect the form to stack up. May control the race and shouldn't be underestimated.
