Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BUCKS FIZZ (3) is close to breaking through. Wasn't far away again last start when closing off strongly into second at the Gold Coast (Poly). Should be hitting her peak now and is the one to beat. NOT A GURU (10) caught plenty of eyes last start at the Sunshine Coast when rattling home to just miss the minors. Fitter again and is drawn to settle much closer to the action this time. Can give this a big shake. I'M NUMBER ONE (8) improved sharply last start at Lismore when going down a nose. Drawn better this time and is rock-hard fit. In the mix. PENNIES DESTINY (11) strips fitter third-up and holds each-way claims.
RACE 2 - DE FORZA (9) showed good tactical speed on debut at Coffs Harbour but just lacked a fitness edge late, captured on the line. Sure to have come on with that run under the belt and will prove hard to reel in for his rivals. COSMIC TRIX (10) is a Cosmic Force filly stepping out on debut for Daiki Chujo. Has shown positive signs at both trials and is drawn to get a soft run. Can make an immediate impact. DIZZY DEE (5) has been thereabouts in her two runs back. Is ready to fire third-up but will need a smart steer from the wide alley. AMAYA'S SECRET (14) resumes for Stephen Lee. Was fair on debut despite finishing seventh and is expected to have come on during her break. Two trials in should have her forward enough. A smaller case can also be made for SWANBROOK GEM (8) third-up after she caught the eye at Moree last start. Keep safe.
RACE 3 - LADY TULESSA (2) doesn't win out of turn but is a more than capable type on her day. Stuck on gamely behind a good winner last start and is 1/1 over this track and trio. 4kg claimer piloting aids the big weight. Can get the job done. GOLDEN GALAXY (14) was a smart winner two back in this grade and then went close to making it two on the bounce last start. Kept on the fresh side for this over a journey he relishes, and Kehoe reuniting is a positive. Big threat. THEREGOS (10) is knocking on the door and is worth including. DIS IS HEAVEN (3) returns and holds claims on best figures. Solid lead-up trial should have him forward enough to make his presence felt.
RACE 4 - WEE KAHUNA (9) was a barnstorming maiden winner here two back and then hit the line nicely at Lismore when coming from the back. Drawn settle rearward again but will be climbing over their backs late. BORN CONQUEROR (1) does it at the other end of spectrum possessing good early speed. Will likely offset the wide alley quickly and should prove tough to reel in. DON QUIXOTE (6) didn't look likely last start at Lismore but got going late to just miss the minors. Drawn kinder this time and is among the key chances. OCTAVIO (2) has been much better in his last two. Carries a big weight but only needs to hold his form to be featuring in the finish. Last-start front-running winner RAHAAN (13) is next best.
RACE 5 - BENGAL DIAMOND (13) returned with a bang at Ipswich when shedding the maiden tag. Improvement to come second-up and gets weight relief. Can repeat the dose. SHORE TO HAPPEN (15) is yet to strike through this campaign but is knocking on the door. Only has to hold her form to be very competitive. MY MUM'S TOYBOY (2) disappointed as favourite when resuming here last start. Has his share of ability and is capable of a much better run off 34-day break. PROCYON MISS (14) was a dominant maiden winner fresh but is yet to go on with it. Draws well again and is worth keeping safe.
RACE 6 - YALLA (3) finds the second win elusive but is knocking on the door. From a sharp stable and is sure to take plenty of stopping back in this grade. EXTRA MANNERS (4) lacks early speed but possesses a lethal turn of foot. Expect him to head straight back from the wide draw and be saved for the final shot at them. Will prove very hard to stop if close enough when they turn for home. YUKANUMA (7) chased gamely into the placings here last start. Kept on the fresh side with 30 days between run in what is a similar assignment. Winning hope. DO IT FOR YOU (6) struggled here last start when sent out public elect but is better than that run suggests. Has an ugly draw to overcome but deserves safe keeping on best figures.
RACE 7 - SPIN DOCTOR (6) hasn't caused any real threat in his two runs back but is much better placed back in this grade. Hasn't won for a long time but strikes his easiest assignment in quite some time. Great chance to break a long run of outs. SALAMANCAS (5) never looked like first-up at Ipswich when always a mile back. Is sure to improve with that run out of the way and is expected to take a much more prominent role from the better draw. Sharp improvement anticipated. BACKLIT BEAUTY (8) was determined maiden winner two back at Ipswich. Not as effective last start when 31-days between runs. Drops back in trip for this and is drawn to get all the favours. In the mix. TOOTSIE (16) showed good improvement last start over the longer journey and looks better placed as he steps out to a bigger trip again. Don't take lightly.
RACE 8 - SPILLS (6) gave backers a bold sight last start at Coffs Harbour, only to be captured on the line. Is 1/1 over the track and trip and can backers another good look. Expecting him to be in this for a long way. PRIDE OF ASHLEIGH (12) hasn't threatened in her last two but should find this easier. Is another that will look to roll forward from her low draw. Right in this. A NOTION (8) has improved with each run under her belt this campaign. Peaking now and is drawn to get all the favours. Worth including. TWISTED MISTRESS (13) was a handy maiden winner two back but struggled last time out when clearly below her best. Can bounce back.
