Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - YOU KAY SQUEEZE (10) missed a nose at Ipswich and improved again placing second here over this trip. Races forward and rates the one to beat. PAPAL WARS (4) was narrowly beaten here and then pulled up with an issue of the Eagle Farm. Is back after 11 days so all must be in order. Will control the race and is sure to give a sight. ARGERICH (5) settled last off a wide gate and first up impressed at Ipswich beaten just 1.9L. Strips fitter and the step up to the mile is sure to suit. Maps for a soft run today. DISCOVER (1) has had two outings for the new barn and can show more at the mile. Was beaten a nose at this track/trip for Waller earlier in the year.
RACE 2 - TUFF TU MUS (4) made an impression beaten 0.3L at the Sunshine Coast on debut. He followed that with a nose defeat at Eagle Farm racing forward. Draws ideally and the premier hoop (Orman) stays aboard. Fitter and should have them covered. BIG DEMEANOR (1) has been around the mark without winning. He races forward and Maloney stays aboard. In the gun stable and that always demands attention. VICTORY COMMAND (5) has had a 52-day freshen and has been kept up to the mark with a trial placing this track. Is back in grade and trip and would be a player at best. Likely to race well. MORE FOR READY (7) improved again beaten a nose at Eagle Farm surprising the market. That reads well but she will need a touch of luck from the awkward batter. FREE AS THE WIND (6) just missed heavily bet at Ipswich. Loses Orman but maps for a soft run and at a price will get every chance to go one better.
RACE 3 - Tricky. PIERATA'S GEM (14) was within range in an Open 2 here before the spell and resumed at the track beaten 2.5L when expected to need it. She's up against some quick improvers but the form is solid and she'll be fitter. A winning hope with average luck from an awkward barrier. READY LIGHTLY (5) is in a sharp yard and expect him to be much better over the longer sprint. Didn't have the best of it on debut and three winners have come out of that. Callow is aboard today and is building a tidy record with the stable. LADY LAZARUS (10) trialled well and had no luck in the Pierata's Gem race on debut when well supported. The extra meters are ideal but the gate demands a good ride. KETTLEBELL (9) was okay in the same contest and has the first-time blinkers applied. Went close at the Sunshine Coast two-back and maps for the run of the race.
RACE 4 - Competitive. BEAUTANTES (3) spiked his figures winning a CL1 and then tackled a 70 at Eagle Farm beaten less than 2L. Comes back a level and the in-form Callow stays aboard. Maps for a soft run and can bounce back. BOOM SHOT (4) resumes for the premier barn (Gollan) and is up to his if presented forward. Orman's booking suggests he will be and he's won first-up. Maps well and has been trialled. Stablemate PINK THUNDER (11) will be fitter and has pieces of form that stack up. Races forward and gets in light with the 3kg claim. SHE'S A ROGUE (10) peaks and has threatened his last two in good contests. The 2kg claim remains handy but the outside barrier will require a top ride.
RACE 5 - Kendrick-trained OUT OF ACES (1) switched from Neasham's Sydney barn and went close first up before delivering an easy Maiden win at Doomben. Maps for the run of the race and keeps the handy 3kg claim. Fitter and looks capable of taking the next step. Gollan-trained ADDITION (3) just missed here in a CL2 off the comfortable Maiden win. Draws inside and the gun jockey stays aboard. A danger on the bounce. EL PENSADOR (5) switched from a leading Victorian barn and followed a solid first-up effort with a big Maiden win at Dalby heavily bet. He powered home and has plenty up his sleeve. Draws better today and has claims. SANBANO (4) missed a whisker here and then rode the speed again at Eagle Farm beaten 1.5L in stronger. Callow replaces the 3kg apprentice and will push forward. In the mix.
RACE 6 - Waller-trained SHY GUY (12) has been heavily bet his last three and didn't have the best of it here last time when presented on the fresh side. Has an awkward gate but Maloney rides and will give him every chance. Orman gets off the above to stick with stablemate BITOFTHEBLARNEY (8) and he brings strong and improving form over a mile. Peaks and expect him to run it right out. MAJORIAN (1) has switched from Neasham & Archibald's Sydney barn on a 24-day return. Has the rail and on-song will be right in the finish. THE NEPHEW (2) is much better than his form line suggests. Maps well and the former Victorian will have benefited from his two outings for the Kris Lees yard. Keep onside.
RACE 7 - ELLIBABY (6) is a promising mare from the sharp Vandyke stable. Lifted his figures beaten a nose here second-up in stronger grade heavily bet. Fitter again and Maloney stays aboard and will use the inside barrier. The one to beat. Gollan-trained WASTED YOUTH (14) is a leader who will make short work of the awkward barrier. Won a CL1 comfortably at Eagle Farm first-up and is sure to keep improving. She'll carry just 53kgs with Lang's claim. BETTER BE NORDY (1) was plain last time but the form prior was solid. Comes back in grade and gets in well with the 3kg claim. Trifecta claims. SKYWRITER (10) has more to give second up and the gun hoop rides. She should be around the mark.
