Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The best chances all step up from sprints. The top barn holds the key. MOET AT MIDNIGHT (2) brings a comfortable win and a near miss both at this level. Stanley stays aboard and he is sure to take beating. Stablemate WELL HELD (1) seeks the hat-trick and beat the above by a whisker last time. He will use the rail and get every chance. SOGOYA (3) has been knocking on the door and has a handy 2kg claim today. He can't be ruled out. UNDER THE SHADOW (4) finds stronger but is going well and she rounds out the chances.
RACE 2 - The Clinton Taylor barn is striking at a whopping 38% and holds the key to this contest. TRAVELLING SWEET (6) resumes and has the best figures. Brings a solid trial and Stanley sticks aboard from that. Maps for the run of the race and a bold effort is likely. Stablemate WOODSTOCK ROCK (2) brings two heavily bet placings and will present at peak fitness. He will ride the speed from the inside barrier and Wiggins is reunited replacing Stanley. The danger. BADLIFEDECISION (10) didn't get into it at Rockhampton but was beaten narrowly here prior. That effort would have her in the finish. CARE TAKER (4) resumes and may be best of the rest.
RACE 3 - Tough. THE GENERAL TALKS (2) resumed improved placing at Townsville. Has the rail and he gets in well with the 3kg claim. He can keep improving and this isn't hard. THREDBO (12) was plain last time but she'd been improving prior and Stanley is a key jockey switch. Has an awkward gate but she's a hope. ENUFF STOP IT (8) peaks and has pieces of form that would see her in the finish. Maps for the run of the race and will give a sight. Competitive. LOVES AFFECTION (4) missed by a nose at Townsville three back but has disappointed since. Has some gear additions and can go better.
RACE 4 - STAR GAMBLE (6) has switched from a Brisbane yard and rates well clear of these. The speed-bred gelding has won twice fresh and tumbles in weight. Maps well and will take a stack of beating if presented ready. SUNNYCOAST (4) resumes and is proven fresh. Owns a big Rockhampton trial win and can position forward. Keep very safe. RIGEL STAR (3) was plain at Innisfail but his form prior reads well. He races forward and can make the finish. LEADERSHIP SPILL (1) peaks and has been racing in Open grade. He's going well enough and benefits from a handy 3kg claim.
RACE 5 - Tough. DUBIOUS AUTHORITY (13) peaks and she found more like her best last time in stronger than this. Sits down in the weights and has been kept on the fresh side. Gets the nod at a decent price. BOOMING FAST (3) uses the rail and wasn't beaten by far at Home Hill off the Townsville Maiden win. Peaks now and has a handy 1.5kg claim. He will give a sight. TERMINUS (8) was only beaten 2L here 9 days ago and drops back a couple of levels. Should have the gate speed to position forward and Stanley is a key jockey switch. A chance with average luck in the run. HARVESTA (1) draws awkwardly but went close at Home Hill and that effort would have him around the mark.
RACE 6 - POET'S DAY (5) led and won a 55 easily here over this distance and he was beaten a whisker at Yeppoon following in Open grade. He sits down in the weights and Stanley is reunited. He will lead or trail from an inside gate and should have them covered. DOLLAR DOLLAR (4) was well beaten at Rockhampton last time but just missed there this grade prior. He also presents at peak fitness and the extra metres will suit. BONDURANT (2) improved in the Poet's Day race at Yeppoon and is a candidate to lead. He will be around the mark. BERING SEA (1) may be the best of the rest.
RACE 7 - BO BO BEWARE (2) proved difficult to ride out at Rockhampton but he had threatened there three back and at this track/trip following. Has the visors for the winkers today and Bayliss goes aboard replacing Stanley. Draws awkwardly but this suits. RELEASE LE MISSILE (4) found more like his best southern form placing at Home Hill. Comes back in distance but he may have turned the corner and is a chance. GENERAL HIPPO (3) brings a big Maiden win from Yeppoon. Has a handy 3kg claim and maps for the run of the race. He can't be ruled out. MADNUS LEE (10) returned home and delivered a Maiden win by 4L. Maps well and Stanley is a key jockey switch replacing the apprentice. He draws to advantage and looks capable of taking the next step.
RACE 8 - TRICKETEER (1) is in the top barn and the longer sprint will suit. Maps to advantage and gets in well with the 3kg claim. Tough to beat. FERGHANA (6) is a former Sydney galloper who brings two easy wins from the bush for the new barn. He was beaten 2.2L at Nowra prior and that stacks right up for this. Maps well and can't be taken lightly on the quick backup. HOLY CROWN (9) has been plainer at her last two but his form prior stacks right up. Like her better at this distance and she should be around the mark. SPIRITED SMILE (4) switched from a Victorian stable and delivered a Maiden win first-up. He has the rail and Wiggins sticking aboard is a decent push for his chances. He's been freshened and can't be ruled out.
RACE 9 - THE PUNISHER (1) has switched stables and was last seen 25 days ago winning a CL3 comfortably at the Sunshine Coast. Deserved that and he's well-placed in this contest. Maps to advantage and can go on with the job. BUSH DIAMOND (3) placed in a bit stronger at Rockhampton off a comfortable all-the-way win at Emerald. It's hard to risk the potent Stanley-Taylor linkage and he's feared. SENNAPROST (4) was plain last time (vet cleared) but his form here the two prior is good. Wiggins is a key jockey switch replacing the 3kg apprentice and he can't be ruled out. BRASCO (2) is a former Waller-trained galloper proven second-up. May need one more but he maps well and would win at best.
