Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ZOUGO BOSS (2) has been saved for this and expect him to go well. Resumed at Doomben unfancied but it wasn't a bad effort. He's in the top barn and will keep building. Maloney is aboard today in a positive jockey switch. WHOMSONEVER (13) debuted off a string of strong trials and was defeated 1.4L at Grafton. She will present fitter and will race forward. This is within her scope. ANTILLES (12) resumed in good order beaten 1.6L here over a shorter sprint. She is suited by the step up in distance and finally draws an inside barrier. A senior rider replaces the apprentice. Solid each-way claims. CHAMIERRO (9) raced new at Doomben first-up but is showing enough to say he'll win races. Maps well and will have taken fitness and learning.
RACE 2 - AUTORA (6) peaks off a 1.7L defeat this track/trip starting a short-priced favourite. The top hoop stays with the Waller-trained mare and she's she's still well shy of her peaks. Ready to break through. EFFIE'S JOY (8) spoiled things with a slow start at Doomben. She was well-supported given the 1.8L defeat there prior. Has a 1.5kg claim and can form the quinella. SHARMAN PETE (5) looked good early doors and should be ready to show more off a freshener. BLUEPRINT (1) will be fitter. He has a narrow defeat at the Sunshine Coast over a mile in his back form.
RACE 3 - Competitive. STARZAM (2) switched barns and resumed in a country Open in good shape before being outgraded at Eagle Farm. This is much more to his liking and his figures over a mile are compelling. A stable favourite rides today and he can win with average luck. SMART AS SMART (6) was back to his best belting the 62 graders by 3L this track/trip at short odds. Followed with a plainer effort at the Sunshine Coast over longer. He draws handy and carries 3.5kg less. A bounce isn't out of the question. SIR LAMORAK (1) hasn't won for an age but there was a lot to like about the 1.2L defeat at the Gold Coast in better grade. He'd be a player holding that form and carrying a kilo less with the 3kg claim. SCHOONA THE BETTER (7) has had three starts since a 662-day break and he was beaten just 1L this grade/trip at the Sunshine Coast last time. Maps for a soft run and deserves consideration.
RACE 4 - Another even contest. FAST FUSION (2) has won two of his last three and it was easy in a CL1 win at the Sunshine Coast last time. He's a leader suited back to the short sprint. Jones rides and he can keep the ball rolling. YEMEAN (8) resumes for a metro barn and is proven fresh. She's good enough and the late betting will be key. KISS THE COLOURS (6) comes north bringing good form from Queanbeyan. She will run along and is well-placed at best. The query centres on how well she's travelled and settled in. The market will likely tell the story with this stable. GYPSY TRICKS (3) resumed with a 60 win at Gatton over this distance. He was outgraded at Eagle Farm last time and forget. He's found his Victorian best and can keep improving.
RACE 5 - Even. ISLE ORNSAY (10) placed this track/grade/trip off back-to-back wins. She will carry just 55kg after the claim and get every chance to bounce back. MISS CHENERY (11) resumes for the Waller-barn. She didn't come up in stronger races last campaign. Her Sydney metro form was strong the previous and the early market suggests she's back on track. MILLWARD (3) missed a whisker here first up and is further improved. Maps well and is proven second-up. Deserves plenty of consideration. BRAVELY (1) wasn't beaten far at Doomben and is ready to show more. Has plenty up the sleeve but draws the rail and risks getting strung up.
RACE 6 - QUEST OF QUESTS (1) won here this grade as expected and has more to give. He presents on a 7-day return and Maloney sticking is a decent push for his chance. JEALOUS (6) is a clear danger. She was beaten 1.3L at Eagle Farm first-up in a CL1. She is proven second-up and jumps from an inside barrier. BEEN A SECRET (5) has been knocking on the door since the Maiden win on the poly. Has to find a bit more to be winning but can't be ruled out. CLASSIQUE GAL (10) resumes and is handy at best. Maps well and shouldn't be far way.
RACE 7 - NIPPA'S NIGHTCAP (2) peaks and was only beaten 1.8L at Doomben last time over this distance. He is back in grade and the gun jockey is booked today. He is the toughest to beat. CHAMPAGNES ON ME (9) wasn't far away at Doomben in stronger and went close at the Gold Coast prior in a 60. Maps for the run of the race and is a chance. TWISTED MISTRESS (12) led and turned the form around placing here in a CL3. She gets in well with the 3kg claim and draws handy. May have turned the corner and goes into the mix at a price. NE REASON (3) peaks and would be a chance measured on his Gatton effort two back. Needs a good ride but Stanley sticks and that's a plus.
RACE 8 - Tough and inclined to go wide in the quaddies. SUBAQUA (3) peaks and has been within range at his last two starts. Dropping back to the middle distance shouldn't bother and we know he'll run it right out. Draws wide but will push forward and is a solid each-way hope with average luck. Ditto BACKLIT BEAUTY (7) who comes out of the same race finishing just behind the above. She maps well and can improve into the finish. COME ON EILEEN (11) made good improvement placing at Grafton this trip. Has an awkward gate but will carry a feather with the 3kg claim. She's good enough. DESHORENTE (9) peaks off a lip defeat at Armidale over 1900m. Has a sticky barrier but can't be ruled out.
