Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BACK ON DE QUO (2) fitter after two runs back and finds a very weak maiden to get off the mark. Battled away late when sixth over 1100m at Murwillumbah on June 23. Kept fresh and no excuses from the good draw. HIGH CLASS ROLLER (3) first starter by Spirit Of Boom out of Star Resort from the Matt Dunn yard. Fitted with two trials and expected to play a leading role from the inside draw with the blinkers on. RODEO DEALER (1) has a fitness edge over most of these and will find this easier after tiring late when fifth over 1175m at Grafton on July 18. Genuine top-four contender. BONZAMOOVER (5) at her top for this and improvement expected after finishing sixth over 1410m at Grafton on July 14. Well drawn and gets the lugging-bit and winkers added.
RACE 2 - PUSH TURBO (5) showed some improvement when running on late to secure fourth over 1900m at Kilcoy on June 21. Kept fresh and has a sound record over this distance range. Claim helps and has solid prospects. GOLD PRINCE (3) hard fit for this and indicated a win was close after powering late from well back when a narrow fourth over 1500m at Warwick on July 1. Will appreciate the 4kg claim again and should be thereabouts. VIKING BLOOD (7) jumped in trip from the wide gate when a disappointing ninth over 2040m at Doomben on June 26. Back sharply in grade and trip and has each-way claims. TOSEN DREAMER (13) sixteen start maiden due for a change of luck. Loomed up strongly from the wide gate when a narrow second over 1410m at Grafton on July 14. Extra trip suits and sure to be surging late from the sticky gate.
RACE 3 - RAINBOW LASS (12) started big odds when making his debut with an encouraging fifth over 1006m at Grafton on July 14. Further improved now and looks the main danger with the 2kg claim from the inside gate. ROCK COMPOSER (4) fourth-up today and indicated a win was imminent when a tenacious third over 1200m at Murwillumbah on June 23. Gets map favours again with the blinkers added. Go close. MARGOT'S BULLSEYE (9) five weeks between runs when sticking on well to finish fourth over 1100m at Murwillumbah on June 23. Can take a hand in the finish. AMNESIA (5) Kermadec filly who returns from a three-and-a-half-month break. Showed improvement at each run last time in and since fitted with a recent 1000m trial win at the Gold Coast on July 16. Looks set for a strong prep.
RACE 4 - HARDLEY GREY (11) consistent gelding due for a change of luck. Backs up quickly after running on late from the wide gate when second over 1400m at Grafton on July 17. Well placed in this easier contest and look for him powering late. SPILLIFY (3) smart on her day and a month between runs second-up when a poor 12th over this trip at Grafton on July 14. This is much easier and expected to bounce back with the 4kg claim. Go close. MANIC LIGHT (10) drifted back from the inside gate and warmed up late with an eye-catching fifth over 1200m at the Gold Coast Poly two weeks ago. Looking for this trip now and stays in the mix. MALLEE BOY EXPRESS (12) placed this track and will find this easier with the claim after disappointing when 13th over 1400m at Grafton on July 17. Can run into the minor money.
RACE 5 - MOUNT DOVE (7) returns from a let-up in easier company. Made up ground late in the heavy (10) conditions when fifth at Beaudesert over 1100m on June 1. Since fitted with a recent 1000m trial at the Gold Coast. Can turn things around here. HERMANITA (5) consistent filly fifth-up for this today. Stalked the good speed from the low gate and strong through the line when third over 1200m at Ipswich on July 11. A repeat of the latest will see her hard to hold out with the blinkers added. ALPINE LADY (1) racing in career best form this time in prior to stretching out in trip when a tiring seventh over 1500m at Kilcoy on July 9. Back to her right distance range and maps to get the right run. CHOCKABLOCK (4) got off the mark in good style two back at Warwick before heading to town with a plugging eighth over 1200m at Doomben on July 17. Will relish the 3kg claim and not without place prospects.
RACE 6 - GREY EFFECTS (5) holding his form well in his first prep after shedding his maiden status at his third start. Strong through the line late when a narrow third over 1100m at Beaudesert on July 6. Drawn to stalk the good tempo and expected to go close again. WRITTEN FAME (1) Matt Dunn trained gelding who returns from a layoff of six-and-a-half months. Has the tidy record of two wins from seven starts and looks primed for this with two sharp trials under his belt. Winning rider stays aboard and looks the main danger. SHINSHINTO (6) is improving with racing after stuck on well to finish third in a small field over 1200m at Kilcoy on July 9. Back in grade and brings the right numbers to take a hand in the finish. STRAYA PRIDE (4) returns from a 38-day let-up and fitter after two runs back. Tried hard with the 60kg when second here over 1310m on June 18. No excuses from the low draw.
RACE 7 - MAJESTIC TEAKO (8) turned his form around when taken to the front from the wide gate when leading throughout for a tenacious victory over 1350m at Ipswich on July 5. Can win again in this fairly weak C1 from the good draw. EXPLICABLE (4) sent north to the Marcus Wilson yard when registering his first win over 1350m at Ipswich on June 11. Confidence is high now and looks well placed again. DAZZLING ROBERT (9) racing in career-best form after scoring his first win two starts back. Strong through the line late from well back when third over 1400m at Grafton on July 18. Will need luck from the draw but not to be underestimated. EMBOLDEN (6) returned from a lengthy break with a disappointing eighth over 1600m at Ballina on June 30. Since fitted with a recent 1050m trial and worth noting his lone win came second-up. Value runner.
RACE 8 - SUPIDOMAN (5) looks to have come back much stronger this time in and near his top now third-up. Sat off the good tempo and just failed to pick them up late when second over 1006m at Grafton on July 14. This looks easier and can return to winning form today. IMMORTALITY (1) having his first start for the Stephen Lee yard when resuming with a battling fourth over 1195m in the heavy (8) conditions at Grafton on July 7. Will appreciate the claim and firmer track from the low draw. No surprise to see him take this out. BRAVE INSTINCTION (10) thereabouts in similar company and desperate for a firmer track. Held on well when third over 1310m at Ballina on June 30. Gets the blinkers added today and will need a good ride from the sticky draw. MOUNT DOVE (18) came up from Victoria when having his first start for the Peter Quinlan stable when a disappointing fifth over 1100m at Beaudesert on June 1. Fitted with a recent 1000m trial and improvement is anticipated.
