Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CATALINA DREAMING (3) won fresh up in her first start in the area at Townsville and then was close up next time out at the same venue, finishing second as favourite. She can settle a touch nearer the pace this time from a better gate and can make an immediate return to the winners' circle. NAZORIAN (1) was fifth in the same race as the top pick but is better than that and he may have been a run short as it was his first run in nearly a month. He is expected to be hard to beat this time. Stick with him. HE'S ALL POWER (2) resumed with a seventh in the same race as the top 2 picks and will strip much fitter second up. A wet track is no problem and he is worth another chance on an each-way basis. KING CANUTE (7) will be peaking third up and could add some spice to any multiples.
RACE 2 - SPEED LEGEND (3) is resuming at a trip well short of his best but since making the move to Queensland he has gone to another level with 4 wind from just 5 starts up this way. He will be hitting the line hard and could have the last say. He is too good to risk fresh up. BOHO BEAUTY (5) won her only start in the spring for her new local trainer Stephen Massingham at Innisfail. She comes to hand quickly and is capable of taking this out. ALI'S JAB (1) is an honest local gelding who was too strong off the front at a recent Mareeba picnic meeting and has a very good record over this trip on his home track. He is just as sharp third up and will be hard to peg back again. CARESSING RUPERT (7) is having her first start for the year and she is compiling a very handy record in a short career to date. This is her per trip and with the aid of a 1.5 kilo claim, she is very well placed at the weights. Hard to beat, especially with the advantage of the pole position.
RACE 3 - VILA TINTO (3) has raced his way back into fitness and has turned a corner in his last couple of starts, including a last-start third at a recent Home Hill picnic meeting 10 days ago. The step up to 1400 metres should not be a problem and his next win is not far away. BETTA AL (4) has more upside than most and his form is heading the right way. He will be peaking third up and will relish the extra 150 metres on offer third up. Hard to beat this time. BURNS TO EMBRACE (6) broke through for an overdue win in only his second start in North Queensland when he was successful here a week ago by over 2 lengths. He is a progressive type who can take the next step immediately. FODOR (2) looks very well placed at this level and was only a nose away from completing a double here last time out. He is still on the up and Ryan Wiggins keeps the ride. He will be right in the finish again in a very competitive contest.
RACE 4 - ZI WIN (2) was a beaten favourite here fresh up a week ago but did look to be in need of the run. He normally improves with racing and can make amends in this. Follow your money. SIMPLY BEANS (5) has improved this year and made it 2 wins in her last 4 starts last time out when leading all of the way at a recent Mareeba picnic meeting. She is very nicely placed in the weights after a 3-kilo claim and could repeat the dose. NO LOVE LOST (1) has a last start third to his credit at the same Mareeba picnic meeting as the second pick 9 days ago and the key here could be the drop back to a trip less than 1000 metres this time. He is only having his fourth run for a new trainer and is worth including in all combinations. LADY DAMUS (6) made some progress last prep and her recent spell would have done her the world of good. This trip is short of her best but with Ryan Wiggins in the saddle, she will be given every chance to run a big race fresh-up. Each-way value.
RACE 5 - BOLD FEELING (8) had his first start in North Queensland at Townsville 12 days ago and did not fire and looked to be in need of the hit-out. He was a winner on debut when racing in Victoria and should improve very quickly second up. The blinkers are off for the first time and with 3.5 kilos less to carry this time, he is worth another chance. INDICTMENT (2) made up a large amount of ground late when running second at Townsville last time out and he has a big swing in the draws this time. He has a good record over this trip on his home track and can go one better. CROWNING MOMENT (7) came home with a well-timed run to get up and score by a nose here last week and won't find this much tougher. She has a kilo less to carry this time and now that he is at full fitness, he can win again. TEN SCHILLING (4) did not fire at Townsville last time out but all of his form has come on this track and he is expected to bounce back right away. Stick with him on an each-way basis.
RACE 6 - NEBARAZ (10) loves it here on his home track and carried 61.5 kilos to victory here against 3 other rivals last week in a dominant performance. He is up in class but drops a whopping 7.5 kilos from that last run and with the benefit of the pole position, he has to be hard to beat again. MYSTERY 'N' MAGIC (4) is a very competitive gelding who did not take long to find winning form again this prep when scoring comfortably at Townsville just over 3 weeks ago. His record on this track is strong and with only an extra 2 kilos to carry, he can repeat the dose. GO GETABOY (1) has hit form at the right time after capping off some solid performances this prep with a tough win by a short-head here last week. The 1400 metre trip is as far as he wants but in his current space, he can win again. INCHING CLOSER (5) did not fire in the same race as the third pick last time out but is better than that. He is only having his third start with his new local trainer Mark Dale and can improve sharply.
