Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - STELLER EAGLE (17) returned in good order with a close-up second at Toowoomba and is drawn to get a soft run in transit from gate two. Strips fitter and rates a serious player against this line-up. DAZZLING DIAMOND (11) looked handy placing over this course and distance on debut and will have derived a stack of benefit from that day at the races. In the mix. LIKE SMOKE (19) has hit the top-four at the past four outings and may earn some minor money again. CANTANKEROUS (5) is facing the starter for the first time and any market confidence must be respected.
RACE 2 - Former NSW galloper BETTA BEING SINGLE (8) wasn't disgraced in the $1 million Golden Gift when last in work and has since been given time to furnish. Should find this assignment much easier and can return in winning order for the new stable. STARWARD (6) just missed the placings when facing the starter for the first time and will be better for that hit-out. In the mix. UNCLE IAN (19) next in line with Maloney in the saddle from the favourable draw.
RACE 3 - RUSTIC BOOM (5) didn't measure up in town at the latest effort but will find this task much easier. Strips fitter third-up from the spell and can return to the winners' stall here. PORT ERIN (7) has hit a purple patch of form this preparation stringing two wins together on the bounce and is racing with a lot of confidence. Stick with him. BULSARA (2) has been a model of consistency of late, gets 3kg off and is a winner over this track and trip. Ticks a few boxes. DEFERENTIAL (9) has a solid first-up record and may run a race while fresh.
RACE 4 - REVITUP CHARLIE (10) has been racing in a rich vein of form this campaign hitting the frame in all four outings. Has placed over this track and trip and is drawn to get a cosy run from gate two. Worth serious consideration. VICTORY STATEMENT (15) was too bad to be true when resuming but will strip fitter second-up from the spell. Can improve sharply. GALLERY MASTER (12) has gotten better with each run this time in and is a winner around this circuit. Top-three commodity. LOKEN (7) got the job done at Kilcoy on debut and will have derived a bunch of confidence from that victory. Sure to run well again. FLYING RUPERT (4) is a bit of a hit or miss type but can feature if he brings his best.
RACE 5 - SMOKIN' DE QUO (16) is first-up here but the form she showed when last in work was good enough to play a major role in this. Winning hoop Wheeler sticks in the irons and can return in fine fashion with any luck from the sticky draw. KEEPMEINTHELOPE (17) has only missed the top-four once in six career outings and will strip fitter second-up from the break. Rates a leading contender. BILLIONAIR BABY (1) was a forgive run last time out but the form prior was full of merit. Worth another chance.
RACE 6 - DECEMBER DIAMOND (7) has placed at the past couple and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Looks a serious player. MRS GOSSIP (14) put in an improved effort when having her first run for the new stable and any market confidence must be noted. HAYAKU (1) saves his best form for this distance range and gets 1.5kg off with the claim. In the mix. HELL OF A PRINCE (16) strips fitter second-up from the spell and is next in line with no weight on his back.
RACE 7 - TRAUTMAN (10) is a very honest campaigner who has hit the top-five at his past seven outings. Will appreciate the extra trip here and looks the one they all have to run down. MINGARDOS (16) got the maiden out of the way last time out and will have taken confidence from that victory. Tricky draw to overcome but is right in the mix again. FREEMAN (14) has been thereabouts in tougher company of late and will be rock-hard fit for this. Cannot be discounted. LOYALTY COUNTS (8) is one from one over this track and trip and has to be included. RING BEARER (3) boasts a win over this course and distance and looks one for the exotics players.
