Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Vandyke-trained MISTING (10) has her third start and should relish the step up to the mile. Raced favourite at the Sunshine Coast from a wide gate and finished it off strongly. Stablemate BETTER DRAW (2) was in the market here second-up but was also cruelled by a wide gate. He will also appreciate the step-up in trip and has the first-time blinkers applied. Note: 32% stable-striker Maloney is booked for the first time. BELMONT PARK (1) wasn't beaten far at Ipswich over this distance and Orman legs off the above to ride. Peaks now and also has claims. UNEGA WAHY'A (7) brings strong sprint form and has a handy 2kg claim. The niggles are the outside barrier and the extra metres.
RACE 2 - A good contest. OVERVIEW (7) switched from Waller's Sydney barn on a 20-day return and placed in stronger at Doomben. Mallyon stays aboard and he can engineer a soft run from the inside barrier. She has more to give and is an each-way proposition. THE PLAYER (4) went close first up and again here following. He draws to advantage and fitter again should go close. GOSPEL GIRL (5) resumes for the premier stable and her form is strong. Won easily at Doomben on debut, and raced well after in stronger than this. She's trialled well and the betting will be key. FLYING AURELIUS (2) is promising and will build on the heavily bet Maiden win. He's trialled sharply at Doomben since and Orman's booking is a decent push for his chances. PINKUS (3) was beaten 1L at Doomben first-up and will keep improving. He maps for the run of the race and the 3kg claim brings him into it.
RACE 3 - Key scratchings have reshaped the race. The Gollan barn has four gallopers remaining. ACAPPELLA NOVA (7) may be the best of them. Worked home well at Doomben on debut and will be better for that. Draws okay and Jones replaces the 3kg apprentice. Stablemate STARSONUS (15) had good support at Doomben on debut but settled too far back. He will have taken fitness and learning and Orman stays aboard. Maps to get every chance. SHAQUE D'AMOUR (11) found one better at Ipswich on debut building on a sharp Doomben trial. He raced handy and can do the same here from an inside barrier. Keeps Rodd and is the best chance to repel the Gollan challenge. TURN THE CORNER (3) peaks for Gollan and has the first-time blinkers applied. Finally draws a low barrier and Maloney is reunited. A chance as well.
RACE 4 - Competitive. Gollan-trained LA PETITE MAISON (7) trialled well and was narrowly beaten at Doomben first-up in a 62. He is proven second-up and the gun hoop stays aboard. He has more up his sleeve and has the early speed to manage the awkward barrier. IT'S RAINING AGAIN (3) placed first-up and then came to town delivering a Doomben 62. Fitter again and a 3kg apprentice is reunited and he's won 2/2 on the gelding. Maps well and fitter looks capable of going back-to-back. BEACHSIDE BABE (9) won on the poly before placing on the Sunshine Coast turf in a 68. Collett will use the low draw and she will get every chance to bounce. TIZ ENUF (5) is a former Victorian who has been around the mark at Listed and Group level. She's been freshened and Maloney is a positive jockey booking. Has an awkward gate but has to be kept very safe.
RACE 5 - The Waller barn holds the aces. HATASU (7) resumed winning a Doomben 62 over 1350 and it was an impressive effort after settling last from a wide gate. She's further improved and the step up to the mile is ideal. Maloney goes aboard and a hat-trick beckons. Mallyon is off the above to ride stablemate GLEBE (11) who placed behind the above in the same contest. She tumbles in weight and fitter the mile should hold no fears. OLD SONG (8) is back in grade and distance and has pieces of form that stack up. The in-form Callow is a positive jockey booking and she has claims. SECURITY ADVISOR (3) has been freshened and comes back to the mile. Has a 2kg claim and would be a hope bringing his A-game.
RACE 6 - ZAKIYYA (13) was quickly back to form placing at Doomben and has won 2/4 third-up. Jumps from an inside barrier today and 26% stable-striker Maloney stays aboard. Fitter now and she can go one better. SUNLORD (12) switched from a Sydney stable and resumed for the premier yard with a solid placing at the Gold Coast. He has compelling metro and provincial form and Orman is a key jockey switch replacing the 2kg apprentice. He can threaten with average luck from an outside barrier. LOVEWILLCOMELATER (11) is an improver who raced favourite here last start but was cruelled by a wide barrier. He's likely to settle more forward today and third-up can be in the finish. POSEIDON RULER (7) would be a hope if he found his best. He flies third-up and has a handy 2kg claim in easier.
