Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - DAYU (5) is improving with racing and was third in a stronger field at Doomben just over a fortnight ago. He was placed here before that and should get the job done this time. MUMMIFICATION (1) is a stablemate of the top pick who has had a decent spell since not doing much on debut last April. He showed promise at a trial before that and a close market watch is advised. CRYPTO KING (4) has shown a bit of improvement at his last couple of starts and has the advantage of the pole position here. He is ready to put his best hoof forward in this. MISS MOOV (7) has improved in each of her last 3 trials and is trained on the course so she will have had plenty of poly track experience. She is in good hands and will have plenty of admirers.
RACE 2 - MOSZUR (1) continued her improvement this campaign with an effortless win second up at Ipswich nearly 6 weeks ago and has been kept ticking over with a trial since then. She is perfectly placed after a 2-kilo claim and can take the next step immediately. ELLE MAGIC (5) broke her maiden status on the Gold Coast poly track in style 2 starts back before being beaten by a wide gate in tougher company at Eagle Farm 8 days ago. She is very fit and can bounce back into the money here. KASEAR (7) needs to improve and should now be hitting her full fitness after 4 runs back from a spell. She is on a 7-day back up which could be what she needs and she is worth one more chance in a field that lacks depth. LYNCHED (8) followed up a close second placing at Goondiwindi with an even closer placing at Warwick nearly 3 weeks ago. He is knocking on the door and is set to break his win drought at short notice.
RACE 3 - IOANE (3) has been sent North to join the local Stuart Kendrick stable after failing as a prohibitive favourite at Newcastle just over 4 weeks ago. He has shown ability at the trials and meets a very average field here. He benefits from a 2-kilo claim and any positive market support should be closely followed. SUITE SECRET (12) ran on strongly when resuming in a stronger field at Doomben more than 3 weeks ago and the extra furlong here is ideal. She has 2.5 kilos less to carry and everything points to a big run. Can win. CHIEF BY (1) led for a long way at Dalby fresh up before being swamped late and finishing third. He has been given time to get over that run and those front-running tactics would make him hard to peg back on this circuit. HIGH CURRENCY (7) made a good Queensland debut here when finishing second fresh up. She led that day and has the same inside gate to make that possible again should her connections choose to employ those same tactics. Stick with her. Each way.
RACE 4 - MISHANI EXPRESS (11) might look like he is well out of form but her last 3 starts have all been in hot fields on the Gold Coast turf course. She will find this much easier and is ready to make a winning poly track debut. On top. VICTORY STATEMENT (14) picked up a lot of late ground when finishing runner-up on her debut here 3 weeks ago. The natural improvement that is expected for this assignment should make her hard to beat again, especially with the aid of the pole position. AIKAU (1) was a touch flat when finishing fifth at Doomben last start but he did have to work hard in the run so he can be forgiven for that effort. He has the blinkers on for the first time which will help him focus early on and an improved effort is on the cards. Don't drop him yet. PUMICESTONE ROAD (5) ran a big race on debut but found that his next run 10 days later came too soon for him. His recent freshen-up would have done him no harm and from a handy gate with the blinkers off he can improve quickly.
RACE 5 - TAVISTORM (1) won on a heavy turf track here 2 starts back before a poor effort in town at Eagle Farm last time out. He is at his right level here and an extra furlong will be no problem fourth up from a spell. He is the one to beat with the benefit of a 2-kilo claim to further aid his cause. KOOLATAH (3) improved quickly at Ballina to score easily by 2 lengths over a mile there just over 3 weeks ago. He won't find this too much harder and will relish the step up to a middle distance third up. He has 4.5 kilos less to carry this time and can make it 2 wins on the bounce. MAN OF HEART (6) won fresh up last November and looked to be near that form again last time out when finishing on strongly for second here last time out. That was his first run on a poly track and he can figure in the finish again. Watch for him late. HEREDITARY (5) seems to prefer a poly track and was a solid third here just over 2 weeks ago. Another honest effort can be expected.
RACE 6 - HOOKS (1) has been battling for some time but did run a good race on a heavy track here in February. He slides down further in class and is worth one more chance in only his second start on a poly track surface. STEP ON FIRE (3) has raced his way into some decent form recently and meets what can only be described as an average line-up here. He has a good draw and is capable of figuring in the top 3 placings here. NIGHTSTICK (2) ran the race of an improver against a similar field here 7 days ago when finishing second by a length and will be peaking third up. Michael Rodd sticks with him and so do we. JOVIAL KID (6) beat a poor lot on debut at Kempsey but did it easily for those who sent him out as favourite that day. He has more upside than most and is in the right race to win again.
RACE 7 - MINKS STAR (1) was too strong here fresh up in a 4-horse field before just battling in a stronger field at Doomben last start. She is at her best on the poly tracks and is unbeaten in 2 starts here. She is nicely placed to take this out. SERIGALA (2) is another mare with a terrific record on a poly track. She is having her first run on this particular poly track and normally needs a run or 2 before hitting her straps. Any market support should be followed in. Hard to beat. GALAXY GENERAL (3) saves his best for a poly track with all of his 3 career wins coming on such a surface. He finished third here just over 2 weeks ago and should now be at his peak fitness. Stick with him. Can win. TOW THE LINE (9) built strongly to a deserved win here a week ago and carries 3 kilos less this time. She is still on the up and another win immediately is not beyond her.
RACE 8 - SPIRIT OF BRODIE (2) improved quickly from a fair run fresh up to finish runner-up at Ipswich just over 3 weeks ago. He will be peaking his fitness now and even from a wide gate, he is worth including in all combinations. JUNGLE FEVER (1) drops right back in distance after finishing sixth over 1500 metres at Warwick nearly 3 weeks ago. She also slides down in class so can be expected to improve on that last start effort. He has first-four claims in this even line-up. BETTER LAD (3) returns and is a fresh winner. Goes well over this journey and is drawn favourably. Solid each way contender. CAPITAL MEG (12) next best.
