Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky race to assess with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade ALL TOO LATE (8) just missed the placings on debut when well in the market and where there's smoke there's fire. Will be better for that race day experience and can improve enough to take this out. BRAZEN SAILOR (2) looked good saluting on the Gold Coast when at the races for the first time and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Top-three candidate. SHEMAKESMENERVOUS (6) has been thereabouts in all three outings to date and is one for the multiples. The well-related ROYAL CHIC (11) (half to G1 winner Royal Merchant) has shown ability at the trials and any market support must be noted.
RACE 2 - SECRET REVOLUTION (1) is first-up here but the form he showed when last in work was more than good enough to play a role in this contest. First run for the new stable and any market confidence must be respected. SUPER ZAMBONI (5) is a consistent conveyance who has been right there in all three runs this preparation. Ready to peak fourth-up from the spell and looms as the main danger. RAN NA LADY (4) goes well for Tilley who has two wins and a placing from just three rides. Rates among the leading hopes. HOKUSAI (6) is a last-start winner worth including while BECAUSE THE NIGHT (2) strips fitter second-up and may earn some minor money.
RACE 3 - PUNJABI LANDING (2) strips fitter second-up from the break and gets Rodd on board from the favourable draw. Best form puts him right in this. CLASSIQUE GAL (7) got a well-deserved victory over this course and distance at the latest effort and will have taken a bunch of confidence from that win. Top-three aspirations. ICHIBAN (1) gets the deadly Waller/Maloney combination and shouldn't be underestimated. VENTUROUS (3) rounds out the selections in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 4 - AUTUMNGIRL (10) just ran into one better at Doomben on debut before being tipped out for time to furnish. Looks to have plenty of ability and can return in winning order. IHAVESEENTHELIGHT (3) just missed the placings over this course and distance when facing the starter for the first time and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Top-three candidate. The well-related SOME STYLE (12) (half to G1 winner Peeping) wasn't disgraced here on debut and can feature in the finish with natural improvement. PLATINUM GIFT (6) finished runner-up over this track and trip on debut and can right on with the job now. SUGAR ISLAND (17) best of the rest from the inside marble.
RACE 5 - USE YOUR ILLUSION (6) was a touch disappointing last time out but go on the close-up second at Doomben two back. Gets the deadly Gollan/Jones combination and should be right there when the whips are cracking. POSTMAN'S GAP (5) has placed at his last three efforts with two of them coming around this circuit. Draws low and gets 2kg weight relief with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. VANGUARD LEGEND (7) has placed first-up before and is next in line while fresh.
RACE 6 - MILTON ROAD (7) has put back-to-back wins together over this course and distance and is racing with a lot of confidence now. Winning hoop Mallyon sticks in the irons and should be going very close again. HE'S HEAVEN (4) wasn't too far off them in town at the latest effort and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside marble. Will find this assignment much easier and can get the job done. UPSTART LEGEND (11) strips fitter third-up from the spell and is one from one over this track and trip. Cannot be discounted. CENTRE BOUNCE (6) rounds out the selections.
RACE 7 - SIAN STAR (4) loves this track and trip with two wins and four placings from just seven attempts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Gets 2kg weight relief with the claim and should be right there at the business end. POSEIDON RULER (7) is a consistent campaigner who is usually thereabouts. Top-three credentials on best form. CASROCK (9) strips fitter second-up from the spell and may earn some minor money. EXECUTIVE STRESS (2) next in line while fresh.
RACE 8 - Looks like an open affair to close out the card. PROVANCE (6) shed the maiden tag in impressive fashion last time out and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Winning hoop Stewart sticks in the stirrups and should be there when the judge calls a halt. STAR ACT (12) is a consistent conveyance who doesn't know how to put in a poor one. Has to be included in calculations. PEACEFUL PRINCE (5) was a touch flat at the latest effort but the form prior was full of merit. Can bounce right back to the frame here. BETATHANEVA (8) next in line from the favourable draw.
