Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - VAIN LUKE (8) has had plenty of tries but rates well in this field. He has been within range his last three and this is easier than Ipswich his latest. PARIAH ON FIRE (5) improved here and then was better again placing at Beaudesert. She should run out the extra metres and is a chance. BREYTENBACH (1) has been around the mark over a mile and he's capable of racing handy. Has more upside than most of these and is in the mix. SISTINE CHAPEL (2) has been struggling to win but comes back to the turf on a 5-day return and has a handy 4kg claim.
RACE 2 - WILLNOTQUIT (4) has been racing at the provincials and her last two starts have been in town. Placed at the Sunshine Coast three back and comes back to a country 58. Has more weight but gets her chance. KNEZE (1) resumed with a solid effort at Gatton over a mile and is at his best at this distance range. He also drops plenty in grade and has an inside barrier and handy 4kg claim. A danger. SEERESS (3) disappointed looking to make it a hat-trick on the Sunshine Coast poly. Uses the rail and goes okay here. In the mix. FORCE ME (9) is hard to catch but just missed here three back this grade/trip and that would have her in the finish.
RACE 3 - SEA TREASURES (1) just missed here and at Ipswich following before finding the class a bit rich at Eagle Farm. The rails gate promises a soft run and tipping he's better suited back to this trip. Rates hard to beat. WINTER THORN (3) made sharp improvement when narrowly beaten at Ipswich. He just has to hold that form to threaten. TAVIESLASS (4) surprisingly led at Warwick and was swamped late in the piece. Deserved the comfortable Gatton win prior and that effort would have her in the finish. BUDDY'S TALE (6) missed a lip here this grade/trip and then didn't get into it at Gatton back to the mile. He will go a lot better today.
RACE 4 - ENCRYPTED ELEGANCE (3) raced well at the Sunshine Coast on debut and was sent straight to the paddock. Led at Ipswich on resumption heavily bet and was beaten a nose. Fitter now and should be winning for the smart metro yard. DIBBA DOBBA (7) was in the same stable but has switched trainers on a 19-day turnaround. Third up now and has the ability. Back 400m to the short sprint is a niggle. HIDDEN MELODY (11) resumes and has switched from a Victorian yard. Is right up to this but hasn't raced over the short course. She has a 4kg claim and has to be kept very safe. VIKING VALOUR (8) just missed here first-up over this distance and then failed to flatter at Ipswich. Draws wide but has a key jockey switch to Stanley who replaces the 3kg apprentice. Fitter and should be around the mark.
RACE 5 - PASSIONATE REBEL (1) has been narrowly beaten at Gatton in his last two over a mile. Races forward and rates well for this contest. Hard fit and can be winning. FAST LADY (3) switched stables and resumed with a thumping CL1 win at Gatton over 1400m. The extra metres suit and fitter she can threaten. HUSSONHOFF (6) has been around the mark and was better last time stepping up to the mile. In the mix. MARTINI DANCER (4) tries hard but is hard to catch. Has pieces of form that would see her competitive and the 4kg claim is handy.
RACE 6 - SOCK'EMSID (2) had been threatening in better grade before blitzing the 60 graders at Esk by 6L. He's been kept on the fresh side and will race forward from an inside barrier. He will get every chance to win again. BIRMINGHAM (6) disappointed last preparation but returned to racing with a solid effort at Ballina. He's capable of using the low gate and the longer distance is likely to suit. Fitter and has claims in this lineup. MORDECAI (1) peaks and has been racing well at Warwick over sprints. Has to skip over from an outside gate and manage the longer distance. UNTAMED SPIRIT (3) is a former Victorian who was terrible at Toowoomba for the new yard. He's been freshened and drops back in distance. Has the rail and handy 4kg claim and is likely to go better.
RACE 7 - MASTERPLAN (2) was quickly back on track leading and winning the 60 at Warwick over this distance. Disappointed at Nanango after and prepared to forgive. Uses the low barrier and has a key jockey switch to Stanley who replaces the 3kg apprentice. He can bounce back. GEE BEE ESS (1) has been racing in stronger grade and was in range at Beaudesert last time. She's capable of using the rails gate and the 4kg claim brings her right into it. INVICTUS LAD (6) peaks and was close up at Beaudesert last time. Finds easier and has plenty up the sleeve. A chance. FLYING TYROL (11) switched barns and was okay second-up in tougher grade. She also has more to give and deserves consideration.
RACE 8 - TOO MUCH MAKEUP (7) deserved the Maiden win at Warwick and then went back and was beaten 1.6L in much stronger than this. She's quick and is capable of clearing the wide barrier. Gets more weight but can bounce with the in-form Allen back on for the apprentice. TEE AMICI (1) resumes and is a live chance if presented forward. Measure on the near miss at Ipswich two back in a CL4 and he's won fresh. ZEELUCK (13) was tracking well before the plain effort at Ballina. He will be around the mark with average luck in the run. CRYPTIC VERSE (9) was narrowly beaten first up at Warwick and then raced over a mile at Eagle Farm and lost the rider (Allen). Has a 2kg claim today and her best would have her in the mix. The wide gate needs managing.
