Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Vandyke-trained WOWZINO (4) resumes again and his form makes good reading. Missed narrowly in an Open 2 at Eagle Farm on debut and then impressed first up in an Open 2 at the Sunshine Coast. Brings a solid trial and 31% stable striker Maloney is engaged. He will take plenty of beating. KETTLEBELL (8) spiked her figures missing a nose this track/trip. Maps for the run of the race and won't have to improve much to threaten. LADY NIKSTER (9) has been switched north by the Waller stable on a 35-day return. The well-bred filly needed the outing at Warwick Farm first-up but showed enough to warrant consideration in this company. Vandyke's PHILIA (10) was a big trial winner before the 1.5L defeat at the Gold Coast on debut. She strips fitter and is sure to keep improving. Keep very safe.
RACE 2 - Waller-trained FREE AS THE WIND (1) peaks off a solid placing here. That followed a near miss at Ipswich when heavily bet. She looks primed and Maloney is engaged, replacing Mallyon. The latter trialled stablemate ATTENTIVE (7) at Beaudesert 8 days ago and stays aboard. The filly ran a strong relative figure at Doomben on debut and will be naturally improved. May need one but she's hard to risk. Wary of Vandyke-trained PRIVATE EQUITY (4) who has no luck on the Gold Coast poly when heavily supported. Has a key jockey switch to 31% stable-striker Callow and sharp improvement is anticipated. FRENCH RIVIERA (2) resumes and owns a trial win. She was well supported at Eagle Farm on debut and the early betting suggests she will run well. GREY IMPACT (3) resumes and went well here at her only fresh outing. She's trialled and is in the mix.
RACE 3 - The better chances all resume. FLYWHEEL (2) ran a nice race at Stakes level two starts back. Callow is reunited from that and the gelding owns an Eagle Farm trial win. The inside barrier is a slight niggle but he looks ready to deliver on his potential. TASORAAY (11) resumes and has been switched north by the Kris Lees barn. He was beaten 1L at Newcastle on debut over 900m on a heavy track. Has trialled well x2 and Mallyon's engagement suggests he's ready to go. Will be naturally improved and maps for a soft run. PHAROAH'S PROPHECY (4) won two trials and was only beaten 2L here on debut. He's been off the scene for 238 days but won a recent trial and has a soft gate. Keep very safe. PIMPERNEL (5) debuts for the premier stable and has been well-trialled. Went close in his latest and Maloney's booking suggests he's going okay.
RACE 4 - LUTON HOO (2) seeks the hat-trick off an easy win at Ipswich over this distance. She's had a tick-over trial since and draws for a soft on-pace run. In a sharp in-form stable and the 3kg claim brings her right into it. MISS CHENERY (10) will improve off the two-placed runs at Ipswich. She was heavily bet stepping up to this distance last time and should get every chance to go one better. WHO ORDERED DAFISH (6) did a good job placing here first-up and then looked a run short over 1500m at Eagle Farm. Has figures that would see him very competitive and Callow is a key jockey engagement replacing the 3kg apprentice. SECOND SUN (8) will be fitter and maps well. He has more to offer.
RACE 5 - A good contest. KIRRAGIRL (10) has switched from Waller's Sydney barn on a 25-day return. Things didn't work out for her at Newcastle last time but her improving effort at Hawkesbury reads well. Mallyon rides and can use the inside gate to her advantage. She sits down in the weights and is suited at best. Each way. MISS BAYLES (3) made it 3 wins from 4 starts this preparation winning a 65 here from the speed. She has a handy 2kg claim today and will get every chance to go back-to-back. SALT LAKE BETTY (5) was well supported but plain here last time (vet cleared). The nose defeat at this track/trip prior more than stacks up. Races forward and gets another chance. SULTRY SIREN (9) is speed-bred and has her third outing since the switch from a top Victorian stable. She's poised to deliver her best but the 1.5kg claimer has to manage the outside barrier.
RACE 6 - JOHN RAMBO (3) peaks back in grade and is ready to deliver his best for the premier stable. Has a robust fourth-up record and maps for a soft run. The 3kg claim brings him right into it. Stablemate BOOM SHOT (6) brought promising form to resumption and was nudged out here in this grade. He'd been off the scene 257 days and will be much better for the outing. He draws awkwardly, but Maloney is a positive jockey engagement. HE'S HEAVEN (2) hasn't featured at his last two starts but his form prior would see him very competitive. Comes back in grade today and maps for the run of the race. Keep onside at double-figure odds. I AM A MARVEL (10) missed a nose here behind Miss Bayles spiking his figures. A chance holding that form. Spoils things with slow starts.
RACE 7 - TUFF TU MUS (2) is a promising galloper from the sharp Vandyke stable. Ran along and blitzed a Maiden field here by 2.8L last time and is sure to build on that. Maloney replaces Orman and he's capable of taking the next step. ARAMINTA (9) just missed at the Sunshine Coast and then delivered a CL1 win here riding the speed. Peaks and won't have to improve much to threaten. SKYWRITER (5) presents third-up for the Waller yard on a 7-day return. She has won 2/3 at this course/distance and she can feature in the finish with average luck. MASTER GEE (3) surprised the market when beaten 1L at Eagle Farm at this level. Has a small claim today and the inside barrier is there to use. A chance if he holds the form.
