Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - HEAD HONCHO (1) looks close to a win following back-to-back seconds at this track, last time beaten half a length over this distance. Draws closer to the fence so should get the favours. Leading contender. VALOROUS PERFORMER (6) delivered as favourite on debut over 1050m at Rockhampton three weeks ago, leading and kicking on well. Promising type who can take the next step. MISHANI ALOHA (3) was a determined winner last time out, leading and fighting well to score by half a length at this track and trip. Is lightly raced and looks to have more to offer. MISHANI EXPRESS (5) looks close to a win following back-to-back placings and the addition of blinkers could lift her.
RACE 2 - FELIX THE SCAT (2) settled back but closed well in the straight and finished one length away last time out over 1600m at Sunshine Coast. The step up in journey should suit and he won the only time he raced here. Ready to deliver third up. SHY GUY (4) landed a maiden win two back then stepped up to this grade and fought well for third over 1600m at Sunshine Coast. Progressing nicely and he is drawn to get the favours. WINSOME STAR (6) is racing well having finished just over a length away last time after kicking off the campaign with a string of placings. Can be in the finish again. MORE TROUBLE (3) has been making steady headway and could go on with the job after delivering by a neck over 1600m at Sunshine Coast last time.
RACE 3 - I AM FEARLESS (14) brings strong form into this contest with four wins and a second from his last five runs. Too strong by 1.3 lengths over 1030m at Chinchilla last start to follow an all-the-way win at Eagle Farm. That looks the right form line in this line-up. GOSSIP TORQUE (13) continues to race well, placing in all three runs since a Richmond win. Went forward last start over 1000m at Clermont and held on well for third, beaten 1.8 lengths. Can give a sight. JACK BE LUCKY (6) and MISS HOFF (11) both step up in class but each comes into this off a hat-trick of victories. Winning form has to be respected.
RACE 4 - DEFIANT SPIRIT (3) stuck on well for a close third when resuming last start over 1000m at Sunshine Coast. He'll be fitter for that and is building an excellent record with two wins and two placings from four starts. Maloney sticks and blinkers go on. Top chance. DEEP RESPECT (4) resumes after a break of 12 weeks having scored two wins and a second in a three-start maiden campaign, all of them here. Likely to have developed further with maturity and has been readied with two trials, winning the latest. ADDRIEL (5) has placed in all three runs since a spell and looks close to striking after missing just a nose at this track and trip last time. SPIRIT OF MAC (8) closed well last start so should enjoy the longer trip.
RACE 5 - FIRE KING (8) is putting together some strong results with a string of wins and placings. Ran on and drew clear to score by 3.5 lengths last time out over 1625m at Toowoomba. Drawn to get a cushy run so has strong claims. STAMPEDE WARRIOR (7) impressed in scoring by 6 lengths over 1640m at Roma last start. That gave him eight of his last 12 and Tyler Leslight who has seven wins when partnering stays on. Can be in the finish. OFFICE JIM (5) booted up from the inside draw to lead last start and went on to score by half a length at Ballina over 1400m. Draws wide but can be competitive with even luck. ART BY CONCORDE (2) is three from three this time in so must be respected.
RACE 6 - ACQUITTED (3) drifted well back first up in NSW but came with a strong finish for a 1.3 length second over 1300m at Newcastle. Two-time second-up winner so will be improved. Suited up in trip and can take closer order from the inside stall. Hard to knock TOJAKI (12) who led throughout to score by a long neck last time out over 1350m at this track, her fourth success from her last five outings. Building a good record here so is a chance again. DUNE FORTY FIVE (1) finished second when resuming two runs back at Eagle Farm then progressed nicely last time out to score by half a length over this trip at Sunshine Coast. Could go in with it. OCEAN TREATY (9) has been close up in both runs since a spell and has won third up before so could peak.
RACE 7 - ABOUNDING (3) carried on her good form in stakes races from last campaign when she scored by 1.6 lengths first up at this track and distance. Freshened since but has been kept up to the mark with a trial. Yet miss a place either here or at the journey. Strong claims. PARTY FOR TWO (2) is racing well. Scored easily fresh at Eagle Farm then was beaten just a nose into second over 1000m at Sunshine Coast at the latest appearance. Has the gate speed to get across from a wide draw. Big chance. TAORMINA (6) showed plenty of promise in her maiden campaign in Sydney, winning her first two starts before tackling a G2. Trialling well so should make an impact. TIGER SHARK (5) closed well when resuming with a close fourth at Sunshine Coast over 1000m. Two from two at the track and the trip and is unbeaten second-up so she has tremendous scope for improvement.
RACE 8 - NETTUNO (7) was too good when resuming from a lengthy spell last start, scoring by 2 lengths over 1000m at Sunshine Coast. Open to plenty of improvement and is drawn to get the favours so looms as the one to beat. ROTHFIRE (1) is back at the races for the first time since September 29 when beaten 3.5L in a G1 at Moonee Valley. Has a strong first-up record with five wins and two placings from nine starts. Readied with a trial win and gets a soft run from this draw. Big chance. ZOUSTYLE (4) will relish getting to a track where he has won six of seven attempts and boasts a 50 percent strike rate at this distance so profiles well.
RACE 9 - KNIGHT'S CHOICE (3) appreciated the drop in grade from the Golden Eagle in Sydney when he closed strongly and finished 0.9 lengths away in fourth last time out over 1600m at Sunshine Coast. Won his only try at this longer trip along with his lone visit to this course so looks well placed. HEAD OF STATE (9) turned in a nice effort at the second run of the campaign when narrowly edging Knight's Choice out for third last start. Races well third up so could get the job done. QUALITY TIME (4) has been close up in all three runs since a spell and steps up to a trip where he strikes at 50 per cent. RED WAVE (11) was just a long neck from the winner in second at Eagle Farm last start and is drawn to get the favours.
RACE 10 - MANHOOD (3) has had two unplaced runs since a break but is building nicely. He'll enjoy returning to a venue where he is yet to miss a place and races well third up so can peak with the aid of a low draw. THE FACE (13) is going great guns with back-to-back wins. Led throughout last start to score a 2.3 length win over 1200m at Sunshine Coast. Should run well again. STARZAM (12) was a beaten favourite last time but has claims off the fresh win two back.
