Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Looks a wide open affair to kick us off. The well-related BOOM SHOT (7) (full to Listed winner and G3 placed Champagne Boom) has been right there in all four runs this preparation and will be cherry-ripe now fifth-up from the spell. Has placed three from three around this circuit and doesn't know how to put in a poor one. Has the talent to find the winners' list. TORABELLA (5) also hails from a good family (half to 5xG1 winner Shoot Out) and saves her best form for this distance range. Top-three credentials. SUPERHERO (15) placed around this circuit at the latest effort and must be respected from the Neasham/Archibald camp. In the mix. SUNLORD (11) has claims off the last-start win.
RACE 2 - Tricky race to line up with a couple of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade BLITZBURG (1) looked handy winning at Newcastle on debut before not being disgraced in Listed company last time out. Should find this assignment much easier and rates the one they all have to run down. The well-related FORMULA ROSSA (5) (half to Listed winner and G1 placed Hypothetical) broke the maiden status at the latest outing and Jones sticks in the stirrups. Top-three aspirations. LOCKYER (4) also hails from a handy family (full to G2 winner Strasbourg) and has been thereabouts in both starts to date. In the mix for the multiples. GRAFTERBURNERS (2) shed the maiden tag last start and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Keep safe.
RACE 3 - BEAU DAZZLER (1) returned to form last time out with a dominant win at Group 3 level and should find this task a touch easier. Winning hoop Guthmann-Chester sticks in the saddle and is drawn to get a soft run in transit from the inside marble. Goes on top. SUN WORSHIPPER (5) finished second behind Beau Dazzler in that Group 3 contest and will be rock-hard fit for this. Looms as the main danger. MADAME LEXIS (2) has hit the frame at her past four outings and it's hard to knock fillies in form. Certainly one to consider. MAZIS (8) is still a maiden but looks ready for the step-up in trip and may earn some minor money. METCALFE (7) gets Melbourne Cup winning jockey Dolan on board and we know he's a good rider of stayers. Worth including in the multiples.
RACE 4 - IVERSON (10) boasts a handy record around this circuit with a win and two placings from five starts and looks ready for the extra furlong now. Duric stays on top and must be respected from the Heathcote stable. Likely improver with strong winning prospects. INDY ROSE WARRIOR (12) returned to the winners' stall over this track and trip last time out and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Gets Rodd back on board to navigate from the sticky draw and can play a role with any luck in running. KRONENBOURG (1) gets some weight relief with the 2kg claim and is usually thereabouts. Top-three candidate. CLYDE (6) has placed two from four over this course and distance and will be rock-hard fit for this. In the mix on best form.
RACE 5 - METALART (4) grows a leg for hoop Rodd who has four wins and a placing from just five steers and appears to be building up to another victory. Drawn to get a perfect run from gate three and looks the one they all have to run down. BOHEMIAN LAD (19) returned in good order with a close-up second here and the extra furlong should suit. Strips fitter second-up and can play a major role in the finish. BLUE SPINEL (10) gets the deadly Gollan/Jones combination and can improve enough to trouble the judge. The well-related TYPHOON TAAVI (6) (half to G1 winner and stallion The Mission) rounds out the selections.
RACE 6 - The $200,000 Listed Nudgee Stakes. CIGAR FLICK (9) has been right there in all three runs this preparation and is one from one over this course and distance. Drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and should be right there at the business end. KIN (5) got the job done at Listed level last time out before being given a bit of a freshen up. Tuned up for this with a recent trial and can feature if she gets across from the wide alley. BUBBA'S BAY (3) saves her best form for this track and trip with four wins and a placing from just five attempts. Cannot be underestimated. COUNTYOURBLESSINGS (12) strung three wins together on the bounce when last in work and can continue the picket fence here. REVOLUTIONARY MISS (1) will find this easier than what she faced last time out and a return to form would not surprise.
RACE 7 - The $300,000 Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate for three-year-olds. CATOGGIO (3) is a consistent conveyance who is yet to miss the top-five in eight career outings to date including winning at Listed level and placing at Group 3 level last time out. Drawn to get across easily from gate two and should give backers a sight. RAIKKONEN (5) has put back-to-back wins together and is racing with a lot of confidence. The stable is absolutely flying at present and another victory would not surprise. The well-related BOSUSTOW (1) (half to G1 winner Amelia's Jewel) doesn't win out of turn but has been right there in recent efforts and rates a genuine top-three contender if he brings his A-game. ZOUBABY (12) got the job done against the older horses in a Midway last start and looks to have plenty of ability. In the mix. GIVE ME SPACE (7) also hails from a handy family (half to G3 winner Extra Time) and only needs some luck from the wide draw to be troubling the judge.
RACE 8 - The $300,000 Buffering. CIFRADO (2) returned to winning form with a dominant victory here last time out and winning rider Thornton stay in the irons. Drawn perfectly in gate two and looks ready to peak now fourth-up from the break. Should prove very hard to hold out. TRANSATLANTIC (12) has won two of his past three including over this track and trip last start. Gets Maloney on top now and rates one of the leading contenders. MILLANE (8) saves his best form for this track with three wins and five placings from just ten outings. Top-three aspirations. TAMERLANE (3) strips fitter third-up and draws the inside marble for Collett. Cannot be underestimated. ROBUSTO (1) was a surprise winner of the Ingham at the latest effort but will have taken some confidence from that victory. Stable is flying and shouldn't be left out of calculations.
RACE 9 - The $125,000 Shoot Out. BELVEDERE BOYS (9) hails from a handy family (half to G2 winner and G1 placed Frolic) and got the job done in the Country Classic at Rosehill last time out. Will be high on confidence following that strong victory and draws low in gate four. Finds a suitable race and can go back-to-back. QUEEN AIR (12) has looked good in both runs since joining the new stable including a win here at the latest effort. Winning rider Jones stays on top and can go very close again. KERCHAK (4) grows a leg for Collis who has three wins from just four rides. Top-three candidate. RED TOP (7) is usually thereabouts and draws the inside marble. In the mix for some minor money. RED WAVE (3) best of the rest with Maloney on board.
RACE 10 - Plenty of chances in the Get Out Stakes. STEADY READY (2) loves this track and trip with two wins and a second from four attempts, strips fitter second-up from the spell and gets 2kg off with the claim. Ticks a few boxes in this contest. TIGER SHARK (3) has won over this track and trip and is another to get some weight relief. Can feature with any luck in running from the wide alley. SALTAIRE (8) has been thereabouts in all three runs since joining the new stable and will be ready to peak now fourth-up. Top-three hope. BATTLEFIELD (7) grows a leg for Melbourne Cup winning hoop Dolan who has three wins and a placing from just five steers. Has to be included. RICHON (4) has an impeccable first-up record and can run a big race while fresh.
