Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Competitive affair to open the card. YET HE MOVES (3) absolutely loves this course and distance with two wins and a placing from just three attempts including a dominant victory here last time out. Winning hoop Maloney sticks in the saddle and will be high on confidence now. Rates the testing material. FLEUR DU MONDE (4) is drawn to get all the favours and the inside alley and strips fitter third-up from the spell. Top-three conveyance. THESECONDATPORTSEA (6) was a touch plain at the latest effort but the two runs prior were full of merit. Worth another chance. TRIPLE MONEY (10) should appreciate the step-up to the 2000m and looks one for the multiples.
RACE 2 - DIRT CHEAP (8) made light work of his rivals last start at Ipswich to continue his strong start to this campaign. Tougher this time but has gun hoop in Orman sticking. Can win again. SET TO SHINE (2) is another in-form runner engaged. Showed good tactical speed here last start and fought hard in the lane to hold them at bay. Drawn to advantage and will give another bold sight. CASTILLIAN (10) has hit the line hard in his two runs back. Strips fitter third-up and is ready to land the knockout blow. BETTER BE NORDY (4) improved sharply last start at the Sunshine Coast when scoring with a fair bit up his sleeve. Kept fresh for this and is among the main hopes.
RACE 3 - HELLUVA BARTY (2) is a talented type returning for Matthew Hoysted. Goes super fresh and is a track specialist (3/4). Strips fitter for two nice trials in readiness and will take some stitching from the inside draw. RAINBOW CONNECTION (4) was an eye-catcher when returning here a fortnight ago, rattling home late to grab third. Sure to have come on with that run under the belt and gets some weight off. Big threat. HIGHBAR (3) is another that returns and usually runs well fresh. Gets the 3kg claimer on to aid big weight. Can give this a shake. THELWELL (8) was denied a head from resuming a winner at the latest. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt and will appreciate linking back up with JPS.
RACE 4 - DAYTONA (4) lengthened nicely to get the verdict here three weeks ago. Shoulders a strong record over this track and trip and goes super with Maloney in the saddle. No reason he can't repeat the dose. I SEE YOU COMING (12) wasn't able to live up to market expectation here last time out but wasn't beaten far in a blanket finish. Winning rider reunites as he drops back to a preferred trip. Bold showing anticipated. RALPHIE (3) chased gamely into the placings behind a smart winner here at the latest. Easier this time and is among the main hopes. SISTINE EXPLORER (14) is going too good to ignore, as he she shoots for the hat-trick. Have to include.
RACE 5 - ATMOSPHERE (7) bounced back with a bold effort as favourite at the Sunshine Coast last start, beaten just 0.2L. The claim of Emily Lang means he'll carry a similar weight and he has the speed to get across from the sticky draw. Racing well this time in and gets his chance to salute again. NAVAL TRADER (9) comes through a good race at this course 21 days ago, ending up just 0.7L off the winner over 1200m. He usually improves with a run under his belt and he should get his chance if he's good enough. IVAN'S HERO (8) just missed last start in a CL3 after a bold effort in this grade prior. Big tick with Orman on board now.
RACE 6 - CABOCHE (8) wanted to be closer in the run last start but closed off well after being slowly away, finishing 1.9L off the winner. Unsure if they'll attempt to be forward again from the wide alley, but he's right on the cusp of another victory after going around as favourite his past couple. Will take beating again. ROGUE BEAR (6) had the measure of Caboche their past couple with nothing splitting them on the line last start. He's been kept up to the mark with a recent trial and he will have the tactical advantage over his rival in the run. Sure to take plenty of catching. TIDAL CREEK (3) was far too good over 1615m at Doomben last start, winning by 1L as favourite in Open company. Now out to this trip again, he has the speed to get across from out wide and dictate from the front. Will be in this for a very long way. WAIRERE FALLS (12) is usually thereabouts and has claims third-up. LORD ARDMORE (5) is ticking along nicely and can feature out to this trip.
RACE 7 - MISHANI LILY (1) won two on-end prior to a break in good fashion, including a Listed feature. She's since moved to the Donna Stanbridge barn and she was good at the trials recently. The claim of Collis helps and she's unbeaten over this track and trip. Can return on a winning note. KAHLISEE (2) stuck on well behind Odinson here a week ago when beaten 2.6L after leading the field. She has shown good ability and speed, which she'll need from the sticky barrier today. Collett sticking is a big tick and she's sure to make her presence felt again. APUNTAR (3) was eye-catching from the back in his last run before a spell at this course. No trials coming in, but showed plenty in his debut campaign and he gets in nicely weighted. Can play a major role. PORT RIVER BILLIE (5) looked good in a recent trial at Deagon and Cejay Graham sticks from that outing. Drawn well and is not to be discounted on debut. TIPSY TIGER (12) won't be far away for the Jones and Gollan combination.
RACE 8 - ROCKRIBBED (4) is in great form, leading and lifting strongly to score narrowly last start to make it two wins in succession. That saw him unbeaten at this track and trip and he finds another suitable assignment so can maintain that perfect record. EXCELLADUS (3) hasn't been too far away in Sydney of late, last start boxing on for fourth over 1400m at Rosehill. Maloney rides so can measure up. NED'S GULLY (6) draws the inside and owns a solid second-up record so can progress off the good fresh effort when beaten less than a length. SECRET PLAN (5) was just a nose off Rockribbed last start to follow a Rosehill win. Draws well so must be respected.
RACE 9 - TANNENBURG (13) is racing well having hit the line strongly to place in both runs since scoring over this distance at Eagle Farm. Building a handy record at the mile and draws for a soft run so has strong claims. VICTORY WIN (6) is in fine form with with top-three finishes at his last four starts, most recently scoring over 1615m at this track. That took his strike rate around the mile to 50 per cent. Leading player. WHISKY DREAM (9) made a winning return when scoring by 2 lengths last time out over 1300m at Toowoomba. Fitter and won his lone attempt at this journey so he is one of the chief contenders.