Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WELL HELD (1) has returned in good order with a close-up second at Mackay before getting the job done at Bowen last time out. Racing with a lot of confidence this campaign and rates the testing material against this lot. MOET AT MIDNIGHT (2) has grown a leg in two runs since joining the new stable including getting the maiden out of the way at the latest effort. Can go right on with it now. MISHANI DESTINY (3) loves this distance range with a win and a second from three attempts and gets the services of Day in the irons. Top-three conveyance. UNDER THE SHADOW (5) has won around this circuit and looks one for the multiples. CARACRISTI (6) strips fitter third-up from the break and may earn some minor money.
RACE 2 - VALENKI (5) had been racing very consistently before getting the chocolates here last time out. Gets Stanley on from the favourable draw and should be going very close again. BOLD FEELING (3) got a well-deserved Cairns victory at the latest effort and will have come on now with that win under the belt. Looms as the main danger. CITY PLAYBOY (1) is one from one over this track and trip and cannot be ignored from the inside alley. OUR TURN NOW (7) has just run into one better at the past couple and gets a jockey upgrade with Wiggins in the saddle. Can trouble the judge. ANDALUS (2) best of the rest in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 3 - KEEP ON RUNNING (3) has been knocking on the door of a maiden victory with three consecutive placings and strikes a very winnable contest here. Drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and looks the one they all have to run down. LOOMING ONE (5) has hit the top-four in all three outings this preparation when well in the betting on all three occasions. Where there's smoke there's fire and rates a serious contender. BRAMBLE (9) returned from a long spell with a placing at Bowen and will have derived a stack of benefit from that hit-out. Shapes as a leading hope. TYMON (7) has placed around this circuit and may earn some minor money. SHIHO (11) rounds out the selections.
RACE 4 - YOUR TOO GOOD (4) has been plying her trade in harder races at the Sunny Coast and should find this assignment much more to her liking. First run for the new stable and any market confidence should be noted. VIBURNUM (7) was a touch disappointing last time out but go on the strong Cairns victory two back. Nicely placed to bounce back. LAST DITCH EFFORT (5) has gone back-to-back since changing barns and winning hoop Wiggins sticks. Top-three candidate. GOSSIP TORQUE (2) got a confidence building win by over five lengths at the latest effort and cannot be discounted. TALONS (8) next best while fresh.
RACE 5 - DEER HUNTER (4) resumes here but the form he showed prior to the spell was good enough to feature in a race like this. Has placed three from three around this circuit and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. CANDLELIT (1) doesn't win out of turn but is usually thereabouts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Only needs luck from the sticky draw to be playing a major role in the outcome. SWITCH AND SLIDE (8) has hit the top-five in 12 of 13 career starts and doesn't know how to put in a bad one. Has to be included. JAWGO (5) next best from the inside marble.
RACE 6 - MOKTAFFY (5) has hit a purple patch of form this campaign with two wins and three placings from just five outings and winning rider Huxtable sticks. Is one from one over this course and distance and should be right there when the judge calls a halt. The well-related GULF OF LION (1) (half to G2 winner and G1 placed Beauty Legacy) goes well for Day who has two wins from three steers and is a three-time winner around this circuit. Rates a genuine contende on best formr. CALL ME MO (4) is a last-start winner, draws favourably and gets 3kg weight relief with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. FRESH PRINCE (7) has a win and two placings from four attempts over this track and trip and shapes as a key runner. TURBEAU (3) next in line with Wiggins in the stirrups.
RACE 7 - MEMPHIS SHADOW (6) has gotten better with each run this campaign culminating in a two length victory at Bowen last time out. Winning rider Wiggins stays on board and should be at peak fitness now fourth-up from the spell. Will be there at the business end. Former Victorian JOHN JOSEPH (5) wasn't too far off them at his first local outing and will have come on with that run now in the locker. Should be hitting the line with gusto. SPIRIT MEISTER (2) has been in the mix at the past few efforts and is sure to get a gun run in transit from gate two. Include in calculations. SUPER FAST (9) is a two-time winner around this circuit and looks one for the exotics players. KING RUPERT (10) best of the rest.
RACE 8 - READY TO PARDON (2) goes well for Wiggins who has a win and two placings from just four steers and will be high on confidence following the dominant last-start victory at Bowen. Has placed one from one around this circuit and should be right there when the whips are cracking. SPECIALTIE (8) has placed five from seven around this circuit and is drawn to get a cosy run from the inside marble. Has to be considered. COSTNER (5) just ran into one better at the latest effort and gets Huxtable on board to navigate from the wide draw. Top-three candidate. CINQUE TERRE (10) next in line.
