Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The maidens kick us off. Former Victorian GALATH (1) is having his first run for the new stable but should find this assignment a stack easier than what he faced down south. Gets 2kg weight relief with the claim and any market support must be met with the utmost of respect. SPIRIT SEEKER (7) has hit the top-five in all four starts this preparation and looks to be knocking on the door of a maiden victory. Another to get some weight off and looms as the main danger. DIAMOND CODE (5) has placed one from one over this distance range and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Top-three candidate. HORRIBLE HANK (2) resumes here but has shown some ability in previous campaigns and may run a race while fresh. AWESOME TESS (4) rounds out the selections.
RACE 2 - STELLA BOO (7) is a former Victorian who just missed the placings when having her first QLD outing and has since been tipped out for time to furnish. Showed glimpses of ability in previous campaigns and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. ARACELI (4) just ran into one better over this track and trip when resuming in a career-best performance. Hoop Johnson sticks in the irons following that first-up runner-up finish and should be going very close. SARDINIA (9) is facing the starter for the first time but looked handy winning a recent trial and any market moves must be noted. The well-named KAMALA (12) is another on debut but won't need to be a superstar to be competitive against this lot. Keep very safe. FLAWLESS AMBITION (1) is yet to miss a drum in four spins around this circuit and is a must for the multiples.
RACE 3 - ANCIENT MISSION (4) has hit the frame in two of her past three outings and looks ready for the step-up to the mile journey now. Strikes a winnable contest here and should be going very close. SHABOOH SHALAA (3) will be rock-hard fit for this, gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim and draws to get a gun run in transit from gate two. Ticks a few boxes. SMOKIN' DE QUO (6) placed in her first run for the new yard and gets a jockey upgrade in the form of Stanley in the irons. Top-three aspirations. FINE AND RARE (8) has placed four of seven over this distance range and has been thereabouts in recent efforts. May earn some minor money. OPTIMUS MAXIMUS (2) best of the rest.
RACE 4 - PAPASITO (7) was a touch disappointing last time out but the two wins to start the campaign were good enough to feature in a race of this nature. Goes well for hoop Stanley who has three wins and two placings from just seven steers and rates the testing material against this lot. DIDDLEY SQUAT (5) got a well-deserved victory at the latest effort and will have derived a stack of confidence from that win. Rates a serious contender. MOMACK (4) gets in well at the weights with the 4kg claim and has been racing very consistently of late. In the mix. REAL KEY (3) is one from one over this course and distance and is usually thereabouts. Can make his presence felt. LETMELETGO (1) next in line from the favourable draw.
RACE 5 - EL OF A SENORITA (7) is an uber consistent conveyance who has remarkably hit the top-four in 21 of her 22 starts. Hard to knock mares in form and she should be right there when the whips are cracking again. GANGITANO (1) returned in fine fashion with a strong Mackay victory and will have come on even further with that run now under the belt. Can go back-to-back to start the preparation. CITY PLAYBOY (3) has won three from four over this seven-furlong journey and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Has to be included in calculations. KIRELLA SHORES (9) is a winner over this track and trip and gets in on the minimum weight. May trouble the judge. IMAGINE THAT (4) next best with the 2kg claim.
RACE 6 - BIGCAT (2) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was full of merit. Revved up for this with two solid trials and can run a big race while fresh. JUKEBOX GLOW (8) is having her first run for the new stable but will find this easier than what she was facing prior to the break. Should be kept very safe. INREADYNESS (4) has been right there in recent efforts and looks to be on the doorstep of another victory. Top-three credentials on best form. BETTER THAN BOOZE (1) has a handy record when first-up with a win and two placings from six attempts. Include with the 1.5kg claim. MISS TEAK (9) best of the rest from the low draw.
RACE 7 - ABLETT (2) may have suffered from the dreaded second-up syndrome at the latest outing but go on the strong Wondai victory when resuming. Gets plenty of weight off with the 4kg claim and maps well from gate three. Sure to be right there at the business end. COBBO (3) loves this sprint journey with two wins and a second from just three attempts and has won over this course and distance. Expecting a solid showing while fresh. SAVVY SONG (8) is an honest commodity who has hit the top-five in eight of his past nine efforts. A must for the multiples. LADY CONSORT (11) is one from one here and will be at peak fitness now fourth-up from the break. Capable of a big performance. THUNDER MANIA (1) strips fitter second-up and may earn some minor money.
