Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Spirit of Boom filly BARBIE'S SISTER (6) steps out for leading trainer Tony Gollan having made a big impression with an easy trial win at Deagon. She is a full sister to multiple stakes winner Outback Barbie and looks to have plenty of talent so can kick off with a win. CUTTING EDGE (1) ran well on debut, finding the line nicely for third over this trip at Eagle Farm. Promising type with improvement to come so a big run is anticipated. MISHANI EXPRESS (5) improved plenty when runner up at her second outing, beating Cutting Edge home and finishing 1.4 lengths from the winner. Can run well again. PIERATA'S GEM (9) debuts off a trial win and is aided by the inside draw so keep her safe.
RACE 2 - RISING PACIFIC (5) is really delivering now having landed a hat trick by scoring last time over this trip at Doomben. Thornton sticks having yet to taste defeat on his back. Can do it again. POETIC DRAMA (15) wasn't disgraced at Eagle Farm last time when chasing for fifth and had clocked in second two back at Doomben. Draws well so can make an impact. ALWAYS ON SHOW (10) kicked off the campaign with back-to-back placings and wasn't too far off them in the city last start. Race fit now and in the mix. Looking for a better showing from LORD MARKEL (3).
RACE 3 - FELIX THE SCAT (2) will strip fitter and should enjoy the rise in trip after resuming with a fourth last time out over 1400m at Eagle Farm. Gets Maloney aboard and hasn't missed a place when second up. Well placed so expecting a strong showing. WINSOME STAR (6) hasn't missed a place this time, most recently finishing third over 1400m at Eagle Farm. Suited returning to the track that produced his lone win. First time at the journey but it looks the right option. ENCODER (1) is delivering now with back-to-back wins, running on to score by 0.8 lengths over this trip at Eagle Farm last time out. Big chance to land the hat trick. RED DEFCON (7) is racing well with placings in all three starts since a fresh win at this track. Contender.
RACE 4 - HELLUVA BARTY (4) impressed in running on to score by 1.8 lengths when resuming over 1110m last start at Doomben. Fitter and his form over this longer journey is strong, boasting two wins from four attempts. Leading contender. STANDING ORDER (2) has been racing well over this distance at Eagle Farm, scoring fresh two back before a second, beaten 0.9 lengths at the latest appearance. Has the pace to find a prominent position from the wide draw. Big chance. DEER TRAIL (7) hasn't raced since finishing 3.2 lengths away at Listed level in April. Fitter for a recent trial and has won when fresh in the past so is among the chances. Hard to knock the consistency of DEVASTATING (3) this time in and he deserves a place in the first four.
RACE 5 - COLLEAGUES (8) is ticking over well having finished close to the placegetters in both starts at Eagle Farm since a spell. He has recorded a win and placing in two attempts at this course and distance and will be ready to show his best third up. KAPAKIRI (12) is another who enjoyed the switch from NSW last start, breaking his maiden over this trip in the city. He may be ready to go on with the job. Last-start placegetter OUTBURST (2) will be reaching his peak now and races well at the course and the distance. HALLSIDE MARTINI (16) is racing well and capable of featuring.
RACE 6 - FREEDOM RALLY (12) is a progressive gelding with a good strike rate. He worked through his grades in good style last time in, winning his first three starts of the campaign at Eagle Farm. Readied with a trial and could be bound for better things. COUNT DA BEANS (14) hasn't raced since July when he scored in open 3YO company at Doomben. Has trialled and usually races well fresh so can make an impact. THE FACE (16) led throughout over this distance at Doomben last time. Proven third up so could go on with it. ARENTEE (1) ended last campaign as a winner and has scored when fresh twice before so keep safe.
RACE 7 - NATIONAL CHOICE (3) is nearing a win having closed well for a resuming fourth before stepping up to 1350m and missing by just a nose last start at Doomben. Won his only attempt here and is drawn to get the favours. Can peak third up and win. LOST IN TRANSIT (5) is ultra-consistent and extended a string of wins and placings when beaten less than a length into third at Eagle Farm last time. First try at this distance but has won three of five attempts here. Big chance. BITCOIN BABY (10) found winning form last start and will be cherry-ripe fourth up so could go on with it. SHA OF GOMER (13) is another last-start winner with claims along with OUR MAGNUS (11) who has the hoof on the till.
RACE 8 - KNIGHT'S CHOICE (4) will relish the return to Queensland having campaigned in Sydney over the carnival, last appearing in the Golden Eagle when beaten 4.5L. Will relish the class drop and has excellent strike rates here and at the distance. Drawn to get the favours and looks nicely placed. DUNE FORTY FIVE (3) was an eye-catcher first up, closing strongly for second over 1400m at Eagle Farm. Fitter and should enjoy the step up to the mile. OCEAN TREATY (11) was beaten less than length when resuming at Eagle Farm and has won four of seven second-up attempts so improvement is likely. Danger. MISSISSIPPI PRINCE (5) wasn't too far away in Sydney last start after a strong showing for a resuming second at Eagle Farm. Has a win and a placing in two third-up attempts so can peak.
RACE 9 - ZOUSTYLE (6) has taken on good company in two Melbourne runs since a spell, last time beaten 4.5L in the G1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. He will relish the class drop and is two from two here. PRINCE OF BOOM (1) resumes having ended his winter carnival campaign with back-to-back stakes wins at Eagle Farm. He is unbeaten at 1000m and is three from five when fresh so will be hard to hold out off a trial win. SHOOTING FOR GOLD (2) was an eye-catcher first up when he settled last but powered home to be beaten a neck at this course and distance. Strikes at 50 percent when second up so is a player. DEEPOUR (8) is another that is yet to be beaten at this track and hasn't missed a place when fresh. Keep safe off a trial win.
RACE 10 - PARTY FOR TWO (1) was a class above when resuming after five months, leading and kicking away to salute by close to 5L at Eagle Farm. That was her third success from five attempts at 1000m. Draws out and goes up in the weights but is good enough to overcome those factors. DEFIANT SPIRIT (5) showed good promise at the maiden campaign, recording two wins and a close second from three starts. Both victories came at this course and distance and he should have developed further with maturity. OUTWEIGHED (10) has led and kept going to win both of her starts at this track and trip. Faces a tougher challenge but is yet to put a foot wrong. TIGER SHARK (6) went to the paddock off back-to-back Doomben wins and must be respected returning off a trial win.
