Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - GLEN MASSEY (2) resumed from a spell last start at long odds over 1300m at Sunshine Coast to finish fifth of 16 after settling well back in the running after jumping from a wide draw (14). He will strip fitter and having the benefit of a good draw should be figuring in the top three. LE GAGNEUR (3) never fired last start in what was his second run back from a spell, finishing sixth over 1170m at Gympie. Stewards did question his jockey who advised that he felt he would be better suited over a longer distance. Corey Sutherland takes over the reins today and with his 3kg claim along with 330m more in distance is well worth an each-way ticket. JUST A HERO (11) finished third over 1650m at Toowoomba last start after overracing in the early stages. She is down 4kg in weight and should find this line-up easier than the field she faced last start. BRIGHT FLAMES (8) resumed last start over 1200m at Kumbia and after settling at the back of the field came home well to finish second. Can place.
RACE 2 - CAPE CRUSADER (6) sat in behind the speed last start over 1650m at Toowoomba and came home well to finish second of seven runners. He has improved in all four starts this prep and from a good draw should gain a well deserved victory. A BIT BAZARRE (1) finished fifth last time out over 1300m at Toowoomba in what was his second run this prep. Blinkers come off for the first time today and having placed when produced third-up previously rates well as a leading chance. SIMPLY ROSE (11) resumed from a spell last start to finish fifth of eight runners when sent out at long odds over 1100m at Beaudesert. Racing a lot fitter today she has place claims. PANDA DRUM (7) was sent at long odds last start when on debut over 1400m at Sunshine Coast and came home well to finish fourth of 11. With racing experience now behind him he should run in the money.
RACE 3 - FLASH ZARIZ (12) raced in behind the speed last start and finished third over 1650m at Beaudesert to continue his good run of form. He won't need to improve much on that last run to take this race out. GRANNY'S REWARD (5) was checked with 1200m to run and then picked herself up well to come home strongly to finish fifth of 11 last time out over 1600m at Sunshine Coast when well supported. With better luck in the running can atone. BELLE'S BOY (4) looks close to a winning run following a last-start second over 1460m when well supported. Include in exotic bets. DAZZLING FLASH (3) scored at Toowoomba over 1300m when well in the market two starts back in a similar race to this. Include.
RACE 4 - BEEN A SECRET (3) fought on well to finish third over 1200m at Ipswich last start in what was just her second start when sent out at short odds. Jumping from a good draw she can atone. LINDA'S MAGIC (9) finished seventh of 11 over 1350m at Ipswich last start in her second start. In a fitter state she can fall into a place at long odds. THE BOI (1) was well supported when on debut last start when finishing a close-up third over 1200m at Murwillumbah. He won't be in maiden grade for long and rates well in this line-up. TEQUILA STEALER (7) solid effort last start, beaten 0.8 lengths into second over 1200m at Dalby. One of the chances.
RACE 5 - STEEL MY THUNDER (8) finished seventh of 11 over 800m at Ipswich last start after making a poor beginning. She is better than that last run would suggest and if she can jump on level terms with her rivals should be returning to form. HOT OR NOT (5) shoots for a hat-trick having won as the favourite over 860m last start at Gatton. From the inside draw rates well as one of the leading chances. DEVIL'S RITE (2) resumes. Has not raced since finishing 2.75 lengths away in second over 800m at this track on February 7. Can run a good race despite the gap between runs. DESTINY'S REPUBLIC (13) also returns and worth noting he filled a minor placing first-up last prep at Mt Gambier over 900m. Likely to run well.
RACE 6 - BEFANA (3) came home well to finish third over 1300m at Toowoomba last start when well supported. Looks well placed in this line-up and can atone. DEELOSH (9) went a bold race to finish third when fresh-up from a spell two starts back at Gatton and followed that up with a convincing win over 1200m when well supported. She has placed third-up previously and won't be far away at the line. GROOVIN' THE MOO (2) handy gelding who is racing well, including a win last start over 1100m at Gatton. In the mix. SUBSTITUTION (1) returned from a spell last start and finished just 0.9 lengths from the winner in third at Toowoomba over 1100m. Solid top-three chance.
RACE 7 - BIE'RES (17) resumes from a spell having finished fifth last start over 1000m at Camperdown when sent out at long odds. She has finished in the money previously when produced fresh-up and should prove one of the hardest runners to beat. THIEF BY NIGHT (6) got too far back in the running last start when finishing fifth over 1100m at Toowoomba. He has drawn out wide but looks well placed in this line-up to return to form. ARCHER'S GAME (8) promising mare who last start finished 4.5 lengths away in third over 1300m at Toowoomba. In the mix. MIDNIGHT BOOM (18) broke a long drought last time when she scored by a head at Gold Coast Poly over 1200m. Likely to be attacking the line strongly.
RACE 8 - TEA LEAVES (1) resumed from a spell to finish fifth two starts back then came out to score a victory over 1675m at Ipswich when sent out at long odds. He has won third-up previously and looks well placed to repeat the dose. BOULT (5) finished seventh over 1650m at Toowoomba last start after leading to the turn. He will race up on the speed and looks well placed in this line-up to figure in the finish. SHEZA SNIPER (4) in her third run back from a spell finished fourth over 1540m. She will strip a lot fitter today and has each-way claims. MT MORT SHARK (9) finally found some form last start when finishing second of seven runners over 2000m at Gatton. With luck in the running can follow-up with another top-three finish.
