Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky race to kick off the card with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade HEARTS ARE BETTER (11) went down by a narrow margin in town on debut before being tipped out for time to furnish. Revved up for this with a dominant Doomben trial victory, draws low and gets in well at the weights. Ticks plenty of boxes. MISHANI HITMAN (4) has placed five of nine overall including one over this track and trip. Gets 1.5kg off with the claim and looms as the main danger. HAZ STYLES (1) is at the races for the first time but has shown ability at the trials and any market support from the astute stable must be noted. TARMAC (5) wasn't disgraced when second on debut and will have derived benefit from that race day experience. In the mix. LUCKY MAN (3) strips fitter second-up and may earn some minor money.
RACE 2 - RAN NA LADY (5) resumes today but the form she showed before the spell was good enough to feature in this contest. Gets 2kg off with the claim and can run a race while fresh. LEVAR (3) has been right in the mix in all three outings before the break and is another to get some weight relief. Top-three hope. SUPER ZAMBONI (2) got another win on the board last time out and will have taken some confidence from that victory. Winning hoop Smith sticks and rates a serious contender. FREAKSHAKE (6) goes well for Matheson and draws favourably. Capable of a strong showing.
RACE 3 - CRYPT DE PIN (6) has placed two from two around this circuit and this is not an overly strong affair. Will be rock-hard fit for this and can break finally the maiden status here. OCTABOOM (12) has hit the top-five in all four starts to date and hails from an astute barn. Worth serious consideration. Former NSW galloper DEEP FAITH (7) is having her first run for the new stable and any moves in betting should be respected. DIVAS REIGN (2) next best with the claim from the low draw.
RACE 4 - TIPPED OFF (1) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up in both starts this campaign including one over this track and trip two back. Gets the deadly Gollan/Jones combination and should be right there at the business end. FAST DA (8) has hit the top-four in all four runs since joining the new stable and looks ready to break through. Serious threat. LONJOURNO (4) has been thereabouts in all three runs this campaign and must be respected from the Bruce camp. Top-three conveyance. DOUBLE GLAZED (15) strips fitter second-up from the spell and may earn some minor money. ROTHESAY'S LAD (5) best of the rest while fresh.
RACE 5 - COSMIC BEAUTY (9) hasn't done much wrong hitting the top-four in all five career outings and looks the runner in this field with the most upside. Drawn to get a gun run in transit from gate two and will give this a mighty shake. POWERFUL EAGLE (2) has grown a leg this preparation and has placed around this circuit. Will be at peak fitness for this and looks a genuine top-three contender on recent form. PRIVATE BANKER (1) is one from one over this course and distance and gets 3kg weight relief with the claim. In the mix. MILAGRO (12) saves her best form for this distance range and is one for the exotics players.
RACE 6 - HILL BILLY FLYER (2) has hit the frame at his past four outings and looks to be nearing another victory. Has placed two from two around this circuit and a strong showing would not surprise. DEAR PRUDENCE (8) has strung two wins together on the bounce and it's hard to ignore mares in form. Has to be included from the favourable draw. ARCHER'S GAME (10) resumes here but has a handy fresh record with a win and a second from just three attempts. Sure to be thereabouts. QUEST OF QUESTS (12) was a touch plain last time out but the form prior was full of merit. Worth another chance.
RACE 7 - NEW MAHER (2) is a consistent conveyance who has hit the top-five in six of seven career starts to date including a win around this circuit before the spell. Strips fitter second-up and should be right there when the whips are cracking. MUST BE THE MONEY (14) has won over this course and distance and got a confidence building victory at Toowoomba last time out. Can go back-to-back. THE DEPUTY (1) has two wins and two seconds from eight attempts at the trip and gets some weight relief with the claim. Top-three hope. QUALITY MISS (12) is one from one here at this circuit and cannot be left out of calculations. SHOWDRA (5) rounds out the selections.
