Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - COURTESY BUS (3) led and missed a nose this grade at Rockhampton and then met trouble early at Mackay and forgiving. He's been freshened and will run along from an inside gate. He's sure to give a sight. CHICKERARTIE (4) led and placed this grade at Bowen and then missed a whisker there starting even money. Has weight relief and will get every chance to go one better. LEADERSHIP SPILL (1) has been struggling to find his best. Peaks today and tipping he will show more. FLYING SHAMUS (5) tries hard and goes into the trifectas.
RACE 2 - HUMOUR ME (6) made it 2/3 this preparation winning easily here heavily bet over 1100m. The speedy mare will use an inside gate and the longer sprint should hold no fears. She will carry just 53kg and is sure to give a sight. BENCOOLEN (3) was outgraded at Eagle Farm but was quickly back on track at Rockhampton beaten 1.6L. Wiggins stays aboard and he can fight out the finish. BRAVE AGENDA (7) is ex-Gollan and will show more second-up for the new barn. She's good enough but trust is required. SENNAPROST (4) was quickly back on track placing here last time and has a 2kg claim today. In the mix.
RACE 3 - WOODSTOCK ROCK (1) missed a whisker at Yeppoon on debut and will have taken fitness and learning from that. Wiggins stays aboard and the Taylor barn has been on fire. He draws to advantage and can go one better. Stablemate GEE UP (2) led and just missed here on debut and then lacked a finishing dash at Yeppoon against the above. He started shorter in the market and prepared to forgive. Stanley stays aboard but an outside gate needs managing today. The John Manzelmann yard accepted six horses and ITHINKBETTA (6) is the best of them. She led and wasn't too far away at Yeppoon and then stuck on better when beaten 1.5L at Townsville. IMPERIAL BLOSSOM (3) debuts and may be the best of the rest.
RACE 4 - BIGCAT (1) switched from a Victorian barn and was beaten a nose here over this distance. He had been away 61 days and is sure to have taken benefit. Has a handy 2kg claim today and should be winning with average luck skipping across from the awkward gate. OBLIGATED (4) is a leader who will show more second up. He was good here on debut and would be a hope if he recaptured that form. SPITZBERG (5) resumed improved beaten 2.4L at Rockhampton in an Open 3. The inside gate promises a soft run and fitter he can fight out the finish. COPPABELLA ROAD (2) resumes and has switched from a NSW stable. Maps well and has the first-time blinkers and tongue tie applied. Worth a look at a price.
RACE 5 - LAMENTUM (6) has won two of his last three and led and belted a CL1 field by 5.2L at Rockhampton last time. He will speed across and with Wiggins sticking aboard he can go on with it. TRICKETEER (2) resumes for the hot Taylor yard and had his first start for the stable before the spell. His provincial form reads well and he trialled at Rockhampton with race rider Stanley aboard. He has the blinkers on again and has won fresh. Capable of using the inside gate and a bold effort is likely. ANSWERING (3) has switched yards and resumes owning a 4L Yeppoon trial win. He's raced well in stronger and the betting will be key. TERMINUS (5) mixes the form but showed more like his best here last time when he led. Huxtable stays aboard and he may get closer in this line-up.
RACE 6 - DEVIL DEVIL (4) is another strong winning chance for the potent Stanley-Taylor linkage. He came off a 339-day break winning a Maiden at Emerald heavily bet. Jumped from a wide gate but draws inside today. He will have taken fitness and learning and can go on with the job. GREYLIST (9) won a Maiden here on debut and then raced in an Open 3 at Rockhampton and led them up before being overrun late. Fitter again and won't have to improve much to feature. ANDIRON (11) won a Maiden here first-up and is much improved. She races forward and fitter will get every chance to repeat the dose. MIL CIENTO (2) lost the rider at Rockhampton last time. Has the ability but the wide barrier is a niggle.
RACE 7 - Clinton Taylor-trained MIGHTY JUDD (4) settled further back than anticipated winning this grade/trip at Rockhampton when heavily-bet Carries more weight today and draws awkwardly. Tough to beat regardless with Stanley staying aboard. HOLY CROWN (13) comes out of the same contest beaten 2.5L. Has a weight swing on the above + a 3kg claimer booked and maps for the run of the race. Should pose a threat. BO BO BEWARE (8) placed over 1200m on the same day finding his best NSW form. Deserves another chance over a mile but will require a Huxtable special from the outside barrier. POET'S DAY (2) is proven third-up and has more to give. Drops plenty in grade with a handy 3kg claim. Maps to advantage and likes the mile.
RACE 8 - Competitive. EL OF A SENORITA (10) is another decent winning hope for the invariably in-form Clinton Taylor barn. Rates well off the 1.5L defeat at Rockhampton over a mile and gets 2kg weight relief. Wiggins replaces the 3kg apprentice adding to the confidence. STREET GLORY (12) led and was beaten a whisker in the same contest. Maps well and has placed 2/2 this course/distance. Sits low in the handicap and should go close. TAVISTEEL (2) has been racing over middle distances in stronger. Won her only start over 1800m and Huxtable's booking interests.
