Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The maiden stayers kick us off. The very well-related SO SUAVE (5) (full brother to 11xG1 winner Verry Elleegant) put in a career-best performance when a handy second at Kembla Grange last time out and strikes a winnable contest here. Drawn to get a gun run in transit for Mallyon from gate two and looks ready to shed the maiden tag now. Stablemate STATE OF AFFAIRS (6) is unlucky to still be a maiden going down by the narrowest of margins at the latest effort. Drops back slightly in trip here and should be hitting the line with gusto. PREFER TO DANCE (3) has hit the top-four in nine of ten career outings and is usually thereabouts. A must for the multiples. Former Victorian ORMOND ROAD (2) hasn't been too far away in all four runs since joining the new stable and may earn some minor money again. ZOUBLIME (8) best of the rest on the back of a last-start second at the Sunny Coast.
RACE 2 - LUNE D'EXCELLENCE (8) has gotten better with each run this time in and looks to be knocking on the door of a maiden victory. Drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and should be right there when the whips are cracking. EASY LOVE (6) jumped at a prohibitive quote last time out but just ran into one better at Ipswich. Where there's smoke there's fire and looms as the main danger. SATURDAYS GIRL (9) has been in the mix in all three starts this preparation and must be respected from the Waller yard. Top-three aspirations. CAMBRIDGE BAY (1) has hit the frame in both runs this campaign and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Can play a role in the outcome. Victorian raider KADDARI (7) should find this easier than what she has been facing down south and any market moves must be noted.
RACE 3 - One for the babies. The well-related NORTH POLE (1) (half to G3 winner and G2 placed Global Quest) didn't measure up in Listed company last time out but will find this assignment much more to his liking. Is the only runner in the field to taste success and should be going very close again. LOCKYER (5) also hails from a handy family (full to G2 winner Strasbourg) and will be ready to peak now third-up from the break. Gets the deadly Gollan/Jones combination and rates a genuine top-three contender. ZHONGXIN KOALA (4) defied expectations with a handy placing at Ipswich on debut and will have derived a stack of benefit from that race day experience. Must be included. SAVEUR (8) is first-up here but has been revved up for this with a recent trial and strong showing while fresh would not surprise. ARTISTIC ENDEAVOUR (2) rounds out the selections.
RACE 4 - DEEP VEGAS (4) was heavily supported on debut to finish second at Eagle Farm before being tipped out for time to furnish. Tuned up for this with a dominant trial win here and Jones stays in the irons for race day. Looks the testing material. The well-related YOYO YEEZY (3) (half to G1 winner Uncommon James) is facing the starter for the first time but has shown ability at the trials and a watch on betting is advised. OUT OF TURN (5) was thereabouts in both starts in the opening campaign and has since been given time to mature. Keep safe. ROSSO LEVANTO (6) hails from the astute Vandyke stable and looks one for the multiples. DEEP TIARA (7) best of rest from the inside alley.
RACE 5 - The penny has dropped for ZOU BIG BOY (1) who has strung three wins together on the bounce and is racing with a lot of confidence of late. All three victories have come over this distance range and gets some weight relief with the 1.5kg claim. Can continue the picket fence. WARRANT (3) has just run into one better in both runs this campaign and looks to be on the doorstep of another win. Only needs some luck from the wide draw to be playing a major role in the finish. RASHFORD (6) has gotten better with each run this time in and will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the break. Top-three commodity. FLYWHEEL (2) wasn't too far away at the latest effort and is drawn to get a cosy run from gate two. Include in calculations. MISS CHENERY (5) best of the rest from the Waller yard.
RACE 6 - STARSONUS (4) has placed three from three over this six-furlong journey and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Good enough to play a major role in the finish. KING BOOM (5) boasts a win over this trip, draws favourably and gets some weight off with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. MAKE A CALL (3) finally shed the maiden tag here when resuming and will have derived a stack of confidence from that breakthrough victory. In the mix. BIT OF GRUNT (9) finally got the chocolates at the latest effort and Collis stays on top. Include with the 2kg claim. FACUNDO (6) strips fitter second-up from the break and will give backers a sight up on speed.
RACE 7 - Looks a competitive contest. LUMENS LENNY (6) is a consistent conveyance who has hit the top-five in all seven runs this preparation and is yet to put in a poor one. Will be rock-hard fit for this and is sure to run his usual honest race. AFFINITY FLYER (10) has a handy record over this distance range with two wins and two placings from six attempts. Sure to be right there at the business end. Former Victorian BOONDOCKS (4) has been okay in both runs since joining the new barn and will be ready to peak now third-up from the break. Among the leading hopes. Former Kiwi ITZA CHARMDEEL (1) will be much better for that first-up effort and gets some weight relief with the 1.5kg claim. Capable of sharp improvement. HEADHUNTER (12) best of the rest.
RACE 8 - CASPERNOVA (5) resumes here but had put three wins together on the bounce before just missing the placings prior to the spell. Tuned up for this with a recent trial victory and trust that Heathcote has him ready to go. Should be right there when the judge calls a halt. CHARMING NIC (9) is a bit hit or miss but is more than capable on his day. Drawn to get a soft run from the inside marble and gets the services of Thornton in the stirrups. Give serious consideration. DEFIANT SPIRIT (2) resumes here but has won over this track and trip and has a handy first-up record with a win and a placing from three attempts. In the mix while fresh. Former NSW galloper EYE PEA OH (12) is having her first run for the new stable but should find this easier than what she faced below the border. Respect any market confidence. HE'S HEAVEN (1) has placed three of his past four and may earn some minor money again.
