Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - STATS (2) has returned from the spell in a purple patch of form stringing two wins together on the bounce and is racing with a lot of confidence. Winning hoop Wiggins sticks and should be going very close again from the low draw. UNDER THE LIMIT (5) has placed two from two around this circuit and rarely puts in a poor one. Top-three candidate. KNIFE'S EDGE (6) has gotten better with each run this campaign and looks a must for the exotics players.
RACE 2 - BLUE TOES (1) just missed the placings at Townsville on debut before being tipped out for time to furnish. Will have come on now with that run under the belt and can improve enough to take this out. ISLA GIRL (10) has hit the top-four in three of four career outings and looks to be improving with racing. Suitably placed here and rates a serious danger. MISS RAMBLER (3) will strip fitter second-up from the spell and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. In the mix. WEBS (11) placed over this sprint journey at the latest effort and is another to draw favourably. Can trouble the judge. BRAVE EDDY (2) was well found when facing the starter for the first time and where there's smoke there's fire. Respect any market confidence.
RACE 3 - Former Victorian ALMIGHTY JAB (5) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was more than good enough to feature in a race like this. Gets Wiggins on to navigate from the sticky draw and can return a winner. LAKE VARNA (7) hasn't been too far off them at the past couple of outings and will be at peak fitness for this. Rates a serious contender. Former NSW galloper JOURNO (1) will find this easier than what he faced down south and any market confidence must be noted. FAST AS STEEL (2) rounds out the selections.
RACE 4 - CITY OF BOULDER (7) has hit a rich vein of form with two wins and a placing from her past three starts and is racing with a lot of confidence. The step-up in trip suits and should be right there at the business end. SIR MAXIMUS (2) is one from one over this track and trip and doesn't know how to run a bad race. Has to be included. The consistent BRADSHAW (8) has only missed a drum once in eight career starts and is a genuine top-three contender on best form. Former Victorian THE REAL THING (4) failed in his first run for the new stable but will be much better for the hit-out. Can bounce back. BATTLE ROYALE (1) saves his best form for this distance range and may earn some minor money.
RACE 5 - Competitive affair. NORTHERN PRIDE (2) has been a model of consistency since joining the new stable with five wins and three seconds from nine starts and has a very strong record over this sprint journey. Can continue the strong run of form here. COCHRANE (4) has put back-to-back wins together and is yet to miss a place in four runs around this circuit. Should play a prominent role in the finish. MISSILE THUNDER (3) is two from two over this course and distance and winning hoop Thomas sticks in the saddle. Hard to ignore. YES DREAM (1) was a strong victor here at the latest effort and has a very solid winning strike rate. In the mix on best form. THE HANGER CAT (5) best of the rest in a race with plenty of chances.
RACE 6 - BAKERSFIELD (1) saves his best form for this track and trip winning two of three and will be at peak fitness for this fifth run from the spell. Only needs some luck in running from the wide draw and expected to be right there when the whips are cracking. DELANCY (8) has a handy record here on his home circuit with a win and four placings from seven outings. Definite top-three credentials. SHERE KHAN (12) has hit the top-five in five of six career outings and is usually thereabouts. Can trouble the judge. YAMABUSHI (5) best of the rest.
RACE 7 - Former NSW galloper AMNESTY (8) was well supported at her local debut but was a touch plain at first look. Will find this assignment much easier than the Sydney metro races she competed in previously and should give backers a sight from the favourable draw. CROWNING MOMENT (1) failed at the latest effort but the form prior was good enough to play a major role in this. Worth another chance. SPIRIT MEISTER (10) loves this course and distance with three wins and six placings from just 11 attempts. Has to be considered. SHAGGY ROGERS (7) saves his best form for this distance range and looks a must for the multiples.
RACE 8 - LEAN EAGLE (3) hasn't done much wrong with win and two seconds from four starts to begin the career and looks the runner in this field with the most upside. Drawn to get a cosy run in transit from gate three and should be in this for a long way. IRRESISTIBLE FORCE (5) broke the maiden status over this track and trip two back before just running into one better at Home Hill at the latest effort. Racing consistently this preparation and shapes as a major player. LORD POWER (4) is a winner over this course and distance and and has been right there in recent efforts. Solid top-three prospects. NIC'S DREAM (10) has won two of her past three and can feature in the outcome again. FERUS (9) next best.
