Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SLAY QUEEN (13) Star Witness filly out of More Style on debut for the Snowden yard. Had three trials leading into this and her recent third behind Balmoral over 1050m at Randwick was full of merit. BENT AS HELL (2) ran on late at debut three-and-a-half weeks ago when fourth over 900m at Newcastle. Will find this easier and sharp improvement expected. Maps to get the right run. UNCLE ALF (14) seven-start maiden who sat on the speed at the latest when a tiring fourth over 1000m at Gosford on April 4. Backs-up quickly and fitter now. RIVANA (6) had mixed luck in two runs to date and expecting more today after struggling on resumption when ninth over 900m at Newcastle on April 3. Go on her debut run at the Gold Coast behind Too Darn Lizzie when assessing her chances.
RACE 2 - BONAVENTURE (6) brings strong figures here after racing in career-best form this time in. Stuck on well from the inside gate when a plugging second over the 2100m at Wyong on March 30. This looks easier and reunites with Alysha Collett. RIPPING MISSILE (10) staying bred type fitter after two career runs. Up quickly in trip when a tiring seventh over 1850m at Newcastle on April 3. This looks easier on the limit weight. Sharp improver. EVERY EFFORT (3) failed narrowly two back at Beaumont (Newcastle), before struggling to get through the heavy (10) conditions when fourth over 2100m at Gosford on April 4. Will hold a forward position and figure prominently. SUBSCRIBE ME (4) sat on the speed from an awkward gate before tiring late when seventh over 2000m at Mudgee. Trip suits and worth another chance.
RACE 3 - RUSSLEY TIARA (12) showed a ton of grit on debut when a fighting second over 1000m at this track on March 22. Trained locally and can go one better now with the race experience. GOTTA FLY (3) wound up strongly from near last on the turn when resumed with a close-up third over 1000m at Taree on April 2. Goes equally as well second-up and sure to be strong late. IN SUMMER (9) three-year-old filly by The Autumn Sun out of Traceability on debut for the Messara/Gavranich yard. Has looked sharp in her last two trial wins and expected to be storming home late from the wide gate. READ 'EM AND WEEP (8) shuffled back from the inside gate when returned with a game third over 1000m at this track on March 22. Well drawn again and extra 100m suits.
RACE 4 - PALIKARI (5) was well-supported on debut in the heavy (9) going when a battling second over 1200m at Gosford on April 4. Strips fitter now and drops back a level for this. Will go forward and take catching. SUPER STORY (10) looks ready to win on the quick back-up after sitting on the pace for a gritty second over 1300m at Moree on April 2. Gets map favours from the gate and trains on the track. NOBLE ONE (2) kept fresh when tired late to run sixth over 1100m at Hawkesbury on March 28. Fitter now and best figures can see him take a hand in the finish. TIGON PRINCESS (12) Dundeel filly who returned for second prep with an eye catching fifth over 1250m at Taree on April 2. Fitter now and extra trip suits.
RACE 5 - SPLIT DECISION (4) handy filly who resumed with a gritty victory over 900m at Newcastle on March 21. Since fitted with another trial and appears to be holding her form well. Gets relief from the inside gate and will prove hard to stop again. GOLD LOVER (7) underrated filly who tackled city class when fourth at Randwick Kensington over 1100m in BM72 company on March 13. Kept fresh and has a good record at this course and distance. YIRRKALA (12) lightly raced mare who returns from a seven-month spell. Had no luck in Highway grade two back before tiring late when fifth over 1000m at Muswellbrook on September 22. Definite top-three chance. GIVING DELIGHT (8) undefeated second-up after holding on well when sixth over 1100m at this track on March 22. Can sneak into the minor money.
RACE 6 - NAVAL COMMISSION (6) had mixed luck last time in and has since resumed with a slashing second over 1600m at Goulburn in similar grade. Will get back again from the draw and not to be underestimated. FLYING DEEL (13) was in need of the run when resuming with a plugging seventh over 1350m at Wyong after drifting back on March 20. Undefeated this trip and look for her charging out wide late. ROCKBARTON ICE (16) has the right figures for this after producing a big run late when eighth over the 1500m at Newcastle on April 3. Expected to relish the extra ground and rates among the leading chances. CARING LASS (5) is on a quick back-up after finishing fifth over 1600m at Newcastle on April 6. Close to her top now and finds the right race today.
RACE 7 - DAGON (1) promising I Am Invincible gelding who shed his maiden status first-up before jumping in grade when a fighting fourth over 1000m at Wyong on March 14. Well suited this track and back in his right race here. ROMAN MISS (11) was taken straight to the front on resumption when a slick on-pace maiden winner over 1010m at Orange last time out. Finds a fairly weak C1 and can win again. ROCKIN' MILLIE (6) consistent mare with a ton of upside. Sat on a hot speed when a fading fourth over 1100m at Hawkesbury on March 28. Wide gate makes it tough but has the ability to take a hand in the finish. SLEEPING LION (10) relished the heavy (8) going when a comfortable winner over 1000m at Taree on March 26. In a leading provincial yard and drawn to get the gun run.
RACE 8 - GENTILESCHI (8) is a smart filly who created a big impression at start three when a dominant 2.25 len winner over 1300m at this track on March 22. Gets all the map favours again and should be even stronger over the 1400m. ADELSUN (12) will find this more to her liking after catching the eye late when third over 1400m at Dubbo in Cl3 grade on April 7. Wide gate no help but has good figures this track and trip. TYSON'S DREAM (4) just over a month between runs when powered late from well back to secure fifth over 1400m here on March 22. Fitter now and looks a genuine contender. LORD FINLAND (17) lone win came at this track and back in trip for this after running second over 1600m at Gunnedah on March 16. The winkers come off and expected to be in the finish.
