Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - EXPLOSIVE DRAGON (2) is unlucky to still be a maiden hitting the top-four at his past four outings and strikes a very winnable contest here. Tarrant sticks following that last-start runner-up finish and will be at his peak for this. Respect from the Gollan camp. MATERIALIST (8) returned in fine fashion with a handy second over this track and trip and will have come on with that run under the belt. Looms as the main danger. THE BIGBANG THEORY (5) has placed second-up before and put in a career-best performance when resuming. Top-three candidate. PROISETTE (11) never looked likely fresh when always well back. Four weeks between runs, watching for sharp improvement.
RACE 2 - LAVONI (7) resumes here but the form she showed when last in work was more than good enough to be competitive in a race like this. Revved up for this with a recent Doomben trial and hails from an astute stable. Looks very hard to toss. TSUKINO (11) has been thereabouts at the past couple of outings and gets in well at the weights with the claim. This offers a great chance of breaking through. CONTRICK (6) is another first-up but showed glimpses of ability when last in work and may run a race while fresh. SERAPUS (4) has been in the betting in all three starts to date and where there's smoke there's fire. Keep safe. DOWNEY (1) best of the rest.
RACE 3 - MISHANI HITMAN (1) resumes here but was knocking on the door of a maiden victory when last in work. Has placed over this sprint trip and gets plenty of weight off with the 3kg claim from the low draw. Can return a winner. Stablemate MISHANI DEVINE (9) has hit the top-four in all four outings to date and has placed three from three over this distance range. Should be right there at the business end. AIN'T TELLIN (6) looked good running second on debut before a slightly disappointing effort at Ipswich. Has since been given time to furnish and is capable of a top-three finish. TOP ROOSTER (5) improved with each run in his first preparation and looks a genuine hope while fresh. DREAMDROP (16) best of the rest.
RACE 4 - HOKUSAI (5) resumes here but has won first-up before over this sprint trip. Expected to take a sit up on speed and should give backers a sight. VOULAIT (1) is a two-time winner around this circuit and will find this easier than his last-start effort in town. Sure to be rock-hard fit for this and can make his presence felt. BEAU'S GIRL (4) gets 3kg off from the low draw and may run a race while fresh. AMPHAWA (2) loves this journey with two wins and two seconds from six attempts. In the mix on best form. BEITSOO (8) has placed over this track and trip and looks one for the exotics players.
RACE 5 - AERIAL ARSENAL (5) is another to break the maiden status at the latest effort over this track and trip. Looks to have plenty of upside and rates a genuine top-three candidate on that form. ROCK DIAMOND (3) is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and may earn some minor money. MOUNT DOVE (9) rounds out the selections. DEAR PRUDENCE (7) is peaking now and gets the blinkers on first time. Will appreciate this easier assignment. HI JULES (6) comes through the same last start race and is another that should be kept onside.
RACE 6 - DECRYPT (1) got the job done at Toowoomba two back before a midfield finish there last time out. Will be at his peak now fourth-up from the break and should be right there when the judge calls a halt. MADAME PEARL'S (10) returned a winner at the Gold Coast and is sure to take some confidence from that victory. Drawn to get a cosy run in transit from gate two and looks a serious danger. LITTLE SHOW (6) saluted over this trip at the latest outing and gets 2kg off with the claim. Top-three commodity. HAIRY BEAN (16) is another last-start winner and Lowe stays on board. Shapes as a leading contender. BOOM BOOM BELLA (13) next in line from the Sears barn.
RACE 7 - GRANNY'S REWARD (12) returned to the winner's stall at Gatton last time out when well in the market. Loves this journey with two wins and a placing from just four starts and winning hoop Collett stays in the saddle. Looks the one to beat. I PROMISE YOU (9) is one from one over this course and distance and gets 2kg off with the claim. Hard to ignore. INDY ROSE WARRIOR (13) is a two-time winner over this journey and has placed three from six when fresh. Can run a race first-up. MISTA OMEGA (7) next in line in a race with plenty of chances.
RACE 8 - MISHANI PERSUASION (16) goes well for Metcalfe who has a win and a second from just three steers and again gets the benefit of his 3kg claim. Only needs some luck from the sticky draw to be playing a prominent role in the outcome. FLASH ZARIZ (4) is a consistent conveyance who has hit the top-five in eight of his past nine starts. Strips fitter second-up and must be included in calculations. CONNEWARRE (3) will be at peak fitness for this and gets 2kg weight relief. In the mix on best form. UNION SPIRIT (2) next best.
RACE 9 - SMOKIN MATCH (11) broke through for a well-deserved victory at Toowoomba at the latest effort and will be high on confidence following that win. Drops slightly back in trip and should be hitting the line with gusto. EL ASTEROID (4) is having his first run for the new stable but has placed two from four over this trip and any market support must be noted. HOTFOOT PERFORMER (6) was a strong winner two-back before not being too far off them last time out. Rates among the main hopes. DASH DASH DASH (3) has won around this circuit and strips fitter second-up from the break. Top-three contender. NOT A GURU (14) is a last-start winner who cannot be discounted.
RACE 10 - Looks a wide-open contest to close out the card. PHEEBLE'S SPIRIT (9) got the maiden victory ticked at the last start and will have come on with that win in the locker. Has placed two from two around this circuit and again gets 2kg off with Wheeler's claim. Rates a serious contender. DAWN PARTY (6) took a while to break the maiden but got the job done at the Gold Coast last time out. Expected to go right on with the job now. GOOGAZ (2) was too bad to be true last start but the form prior was full of merit. Worth another chance. CHASING JACKLEY (1) has placed two from three here and is usually in the mix. Can fill the frame with any luck from the wide gate. BUMP'N'RUN (10) draws the inside marble and gets in well at the weights with the claim. May earn a cheque.
