Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ZINOTAR (6) has been knocking on the door of a maiden victory with three consecutive placings this time in work and strikes a very winnable contest here. Has placed two from two around this circuit and will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the spell. Rates the testing material. BIT OF GRUNT (1) put in a career-best performance last time out and gets some weight relief with claim. Looms as the main danger. KHANT QUIT (4) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up at his past couple of outings and draws the inside marble. Top-three conveyance. ABOVEFORTY (7) wasn't too far off them at the latest effort and must be respected from the Waller camp. In the mix for some minor money. DEJA ZOU (3) next best in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 2 - Tricky race to assess with a couple of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade ZOUCHASE (11) was well in the betting in town on debut but didn't measure up before being tipped out. Has since returned just missing the placings here and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Should prove tough to hold out. BEE TWO (2) has placed at his past couple and will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the break. Respect from the Vandyke barn. PUFF 'N' HARRY (7) wasn't too far off them here on debut and will have derived a stack of benefit from that day at the races. Top-three candidate. ROCKY REWARD (8) rounds out the selections.
RACE 3 - BRUTAL SUE (3) was heavily supported at the Gold Coast when facing the starter for the first time and wasn't disgraced finishing fifth. Where there's smoke there's fire and any further market support must be respected. The well-bred PUJITA (9) (out of G2 winner Villa Verde) is on debut but has shown ability at the trials and a watch on betting is also advised. QUERIDA (10) has hit the top-five in all four starts to date and will strip fitter second-up from the spell. A must for the multiples. DIVINE SOURCE (6) wasn't too far off them here when at the races for the first time and will have derived some benefit from that race day experience. In the mix with natural improvement. RED FEATHER BOA (11) just ran into one better in town and last time out and should find this assignment easier. Rates among the leading hopes.
RACE 4 - INVER PARK (1) has been plying his trade in much harder contests in town and should appreciate the drop back in grade here. Winning hoop Mallyon reunites and he should be right there when the whips are cracking. OVIDIUS (2) has a handy record around this circuit with two wins and three placings from ten starts and gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim. Can play a major role in the outcome. WAPITI (3) is a two-time winner here at this track and will find this easier than what he has been facing of late. In the mix if he brings his A-game. REJOICED (5) best of the rest from the favourable draw.
RACE 5 - NORTH OF ELI (10) is first-up here but the form he showed before the spell was good enough to go close in a race that has been knocked about by scratchings. Put together a string of top-three finishes before the break including a last-start win at Grafton. Looks well placed to make a winning return. INVINOVICH (8) hasn't won for a year but hasn't been beaten by big margins of late and did make ground from the tail last time. Can make an impact. MR ENCORE (12) has been close up in two outings since a fresh win and draws well. KAT CHINNA (3) best of the rest with the 2kg claim.
RACE 6 - ABOUT TO EXPLODE (2) gets the deadly Gollan/Maloney combination and should be hitting peak fitness third-up. Showed good improvement ands put the writing on the wall when closing nicely for a last-start second at Doomben. Can progress off that and go one better. PROVANCE (11) has hit the top-five in five of his six starts and is one from one over this course and distance. Rates a serious danger. AGED CARE (18) has been right there in all four NSW efforts and must be respected from the Lees stable. Can be in the finish. GALACTIC LEGEND (8) best of the rest while fresh.
RACE 7 - Open race to close out the card. BANANA SLIDE (8) is back from a lengthy spell but has shown plenty of ability in previous preparations and revved up for this with a recent Sunny Coast trial. Boasts a win around this circuit and trust that Vandyke has her forward enough to make her presence felt. BLACK OPIUM (13) has placed over this course and distance and gets Rodd on board. In the mix on best form. STARLIGHT NATION (1) will be ready to peak fourth-up and gets the services of Maloney in the stirrups. Right in this. ABLE SEAMAN (6) is also in the mix.
