Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - HERBIE TOWN (3) gave away a big start but rounded up the field nicely to score his maiden win over 1000m at Dalby last start. Gets out to this trip for the first time and will be tough to hold out. DEFIANT BOOM (1) started in the red when resuming over this course and distance last time and got the job done, leading from the outset to score with a length to spare. Back in fine order and should give them something to catch again. MR BUBBALUSKI (4) was well found in betting on debut recently and duly saluted over 1050m on the Gold Coast poly. Should build on that performance and play a big role again. STEP ALONG (2) resumes. Opened the maiden prep with a couple of near misses so expect him to be forward enough to run well. JUST CLIFFY (6) has placed three in a row and should give a good account.
RACE 2 - WYNETTE (8) raced handy and boxed on well for third on debut last time out over this course and distance. Stepping up to Saturday grade but from a good draw at the weights she makes plenty of appeal. BARBIE'S SISTER (1) failed to figure when resuming behind Tarpaulin recently over this trip at Randwick. Calaway Gal winner in December so she has plenty of talent. Worth another chance. KAHLISEE (3) couldn't get near a smart one when resuming here two weeks ago. Won't be turning the tables but can improve and finish top four. WHAT A DOOZY (4) is next best fresh from a 23-week spell.
RACE 3 - ARTFUL GIRL (10) was caught up in traffic before finding the line well to get up for fourth last start over 2020m at this track. Has been tried once at this trip and scored. Gets in beautifully after the claim and is sure to be there at the business end. SHY GUY (12) stripped fitter and returned to form last time out when a closing second over 2020m here, finishing well ahead of Artful Girl. Proven at this trip and should be cherry-ripe now. Serious contender. ASGOODASSOBERGETS (1) comes to Brisbane after failing to make an impact in the southern states, most recently finishing midfield over 1900m at Canterbury. Neasham is persevering with the import so might be worth another chance. CLASSIC DEEL (9) savaged the line but just missed last start over 2000m in open company at Coffs Harbour. Is a winner at the trip and with the light weight can play a role. CHASSAGNE (15) is yet to miss the frame in four runs over today's trip. Must be considered with just 52.5kgs.
RACE 4 - IVAN'S HERO (3) went under in a head-bobber with Rockribbed a fortnight back over this course and distance. Drops from a Class 6 to a Class 3 so although lumping more weight he has the quality to get the job done. I SEE YOU COMING (1) stalked the pace then went home too well at his latest appearance over 1200m here. Maps nicely from a good gate and won't have any trouble with the extra trip. Major contender. CASTILLIAN (10) did his best work late to just miss the frame when resuming over 1200m at this track recently. Wide gate a concern but he is a likely improver. SET TO SHINE (15) loves Doomben and has hardly put a foot wrong this prep.
RACE 5 - MISS MIDDLE PARK (4) has raced twice this prep and attacked the line with venom on each occasion over shorter trips. Has a strong third-up record and her best form comes at today's trip. Has a nice sense of timing about her prep and this looks the ideal race. Stablemate NANAGUI (1) boxed on well to finish just behind the placegetters last start over 1110m at this track. Comes in well after the claim and is more at home over this distance. Ready to peak at the third run back. BONCASSIE (3) found one better when resuming in open company over this distance at Coffs Harbour recently. Boasts an outstanding record at this journey and when second-up. Credentials hard to fault. TRANQUIL BAY (7) backs up seven days after a sound effort over 1300m at the Sunshine Coast. Will be running on. ANOTHER PEDRILLE (10) is racing well this prep and although up in grade comes right under notice with just 52kgs.
RACE 6 - BRERETON (1) has grown a leg since joining the Gollan stable this prep. Won first-up over 1110m here then tackled a similar race last start and again prevailed, albeit narrowly. Won't mind the step up in trip and the claim brings him in favourably. Big chance to chalk up the hat trick. Stablemate DAYTONA (13) returned to form last start when he charged home let to get within a length of Mintaka Lad over this course and distance a fortnight ago. Will get back again from a wide gate but can get home hard. DEFIANT SPIRIT (4) gave away a huge start last time in a BM85 here before getting up for fourth. Cherry-ripe and in an easier race today. Cannot be underestimated. Distance specialist MINTAKA LAD (9) is a last start winner who can win again although the wide gate is a worry.
RACE 7 - HATCHET (2) put the writing on the wall last Saturday when he stoked up from last on straightening to be beaten a head over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast. Better placed over this distance and his record at Doomben is hard to fault. Ready to win. ROCKRIBBED (4) showed a nice turn of foot then dug deep to just prevail in a Class 6 here at this trip two weeks back. Gets in 1kg lighter after the claim so he is a serious chance once again. PIZARRO (6) hasn't been far away of late and his chances improve on a rain-affected surface. ATLANTIC OCEAN (8) chased Rockribbed home here last time. Going okay and is an each-way proposition.
RACE 8 - THESECONDATPORTSEA (14) overcame a slow start to charge home late and be beaten under a length over this distance at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday. Tackles a better race today but she strips fitter and drops 3.5kgs. Ready to win. WAIRERE FALLS (3) caught the eye when resuming over 1350m here two weeks back, making late ground to just miss the frame. Performed well in open company last prep at the mile. Right in contention. Genuine mare MADAME ODETTE (6) was too good for the in-form Cunnamulla Fella over this course and distance at her last run three weeks ago. Sticky gate to contend with again but she is capable of sitting back then finishing over the top of these. BEDFORD SQUARE (13) is expected to be competitive again as she drops in weight following a good run here last time out.
RACE 9 - MY SNOW QUEEN (15) shed the recent bridesmaid tag with a dogged all-the-way win over 1200m at this track at her last appearance. Equally at home over this shorter trip so from a good gate with no weight she is the one to beat in what looks a suitable race. HARDWARE LANE (3) tried hard but couldn't catch a smart one here last time. In-form gelding who is at home on the heavy tracks. Recent performances stack up well and he's sure to put his best foot forward once again. NED'S GULLY (11) looked good in a recent trial at Toowoomba and is a two-time winner fresh. He boasts a good record at this track and trip and is sure to play a major role. SITUATION ROOM (2) wasn't far behind Hardware Lane here last start and warrants plenty of respect.
