Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ASK ME MATE (1) was an easy winner here and then missed the hat-trick by 1L at Mackay. Draws well and Stanley is a key jockey switch. Peaks and can bounce back at home. CARACRISTI (5) resumed with a solid effort in the same race. She has plenty up her sleeve but may need a touch of luck from the outside barrier. ELECTRIC BRAE (3) was nudged out at Mackay before the spell and resumed with a tidy effort at the Sunshine Coast in an Open 3. She'd been a big trial winner leading into that and is suited to this company. Fitter and a chance. SCRUB CHAIN (2) belted the Maidens by 3L here bet into a short price. Keeps the in-form Huxtable and is a decent chance to repeat.
RACE 2 - CUSACK (4) missed a whisker here and he started a short-priced favourite at Townsville following and got too far back. He's been kept on the side and keeps Huxtable who's riding a stack of winners. Comes back home and a much sharper effort is anticipated. Stablemate PEPPERDINE (1) runs along and seeks the hat-trick off a CL6 here. Carries more weight but he keeps improving and Butler stays aboard. Go close. MOCAMBO (5) just missed behind the above spiking his figures. Not sure the rails gate will assist but Stanley is reunited and he's a chance. KNIFE'S EDGE (2) was beaten 1L in the same race and peaks. He also deserves consideration.
RACE 3 - LAMENTUM (7) switched from a top metro barn and didn't have the best of it placing here as a short-priced favourite. He has placed second-up and has plenty up the sleeve. Fitter and just needs a good ride from the awkward barrier. SNAZZY SNITZEL (2) resumes for a new barn and showed enough on debut to consider. The speed-bred gelding has won a trial here over 900m and draws well. The betting will be key. Ditto with FRACTIONAL (1) who debuts for a top stable and has trialled. Stanley goes aboard signalling intent. BIKER (9) sits down in the weights and is threatening a win. Maps well and has been kept on the fresh side. Goes in at a decent price.
RACE 4 - Competitive. GROOVIN' THE MOO (4) was good here from the front and was only 2.4L away after in a Doomben 68. Maps well and will hit this at peak. He's been kept on the fresh side and gets his chance. PRETTY SLICK (5) won the CL3 here comfortably improving again and then wasn't too far away in a 70 at Mackay. Has a soft gate today and 4x winning rider Wiggins stays aboard. ENABLER (6) was only beaten 1.2L at Doomben three back and placed in a Toowoomba 70 last time. He can make the finish. GROWL (2) is going well and is also in the mix along with DOUBTING EYE (1), who can get back on track.
RACE 5 - WHITSUNDAY SESSION (5) is a leader who peaks off three close-up efforts. Finds easier grade and and is ready to win. The Stanley-Taylor linkage is lethal. MIL CIENTO (1) has had one blip in a string of solid efforts. Has an awkward barrier but is well-placed to feature. At longer odds, TOUR DE FIELD (2) resumes and despite the tricky gate has shown enough to consider. LITTLE MISS BELLE (9) and VITTHAL (7) can build on their Maiden wins.
RACE 6 - Tipping BOLD PEDRO (8) can make good improvement third-up. He didn't have much luck at the Sunshine Coast last start and he goes well here. Tumbles in weight and is right up to this at best. He's been freshened and appeals. FIGHTING COMMANDO (3) has also been freshened and comes back 500m to a sprint. Maps for a soft run and he is 2/2 this course and distance. It's a bit of an ask but he rates to go close in a competitive line-up. CHICKERARTIE (9) is knocking on the door and gets plenty of weight relief in this grade. She races forward and can't be ruled out. LETMELETGO (4) returned to his best missing a nose on a heavy track. Likes it wet and he's a hope holding the form. OUTBACK ACTION (2) is going well enough to consider.
RACE 7 - HELLISH (2) missed a whisker here first-up on a good track and then came back and delivered a CL1 on a heavy surface. The former Victorian was heavily backed in both and he's got the early speed to clear the awkward gate. He will be fitter again and it's hard to risk the potent Stanley-Taylor linkage. Stablemate BUSH DIAMOND (6) found Bencoolen too good last time but ran a decent figure in an Open 3 prior. He has more to give and has been kept fresh. Stanley gets off but he maps well and can't be ruled out. HANGIN' AROUND (3) is the third Taylor acceptor. He was outgraded last time but just missed in an Open 3 at Mackay prior. This trip suits better and he's lightly raced with plenty of scope. CONNEWARRE (7) peaks and can show more. He's raced well in better than this but the awkward gate needs managing.
RACE 8 - GENERAL WOLFFE (2) has missed a whisker at his last two starts with the latest this track/trip. He's likely to push forward and Butler is a key jockey switch. Deserves another win and finds a suitable race. REPLACE THE ACE (4) was quickly back on track placing in the same contest. Maps well and the in-form Huxtable is a positive jockey switch. He's a live chance. BLUE AS (1) peaks and Stanley rides the Taylor-trained galloper for the first time. He showed plenty in NSW early doors and he will appreciate a better surface. Keep safe. WHATJEUDOIN' (8) and DOOM DIVA (12) are both going well enough to consider.
