Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CAXTON LASS (7) wasn't far off maiden success before a break of five-and-a-half months, finishing the last campaign with a minor placing over 1200m at Doomben. Has been readied for the return with two nice trials and draws the inside stall. Blinkers go on and she could make a winning return. VESPER LYND (11) hasn't been far away of late, finishing less than 2 lengths off the winner in fourth last time out at this track and trip. Contender. ENUFF PILLS (8) ran another good race last start, adding to a string of top-four finishes with a third at this course and distance. Can play a role again. EQUINE ART (9) is lightly-raced with upside so can progress off the resuming second at Gatton.
RACE 2 - ZELGARIA (2) is hard to knock with three wins and a close second from his last four starts. Scored a fast-finishing win last start over 1110m at Doomben, coming from the tail to get up by half a length. Draws lower and could prove hard to hold out. HEARTONI (1) has been close-up in both outings since winning here, last time beaten 2 lengths into fourth over 1000m at Eagle Farm. Owns a strong record here and is right in contention. SECRET REVOLUTION (5) wound up strongly to finish a long neck adrift in second when resuming over 800m at Ipswich. The longer trips suits. ZOUPERB (6) put together a string of wins last time in and usually performs well fresh so respect. Last-start placegetter MR GALAZI (4) draws the inside and must be respected.
RACE 3 - TORO STRIKE (3) has returned in good order having landed his maiden success when resuming over this course and distance last time, scoring by 3.3 lengths. Low draw will assist and he could be ready to work through his grades. TERRITORY ASH (2) knuckled down strongly to get within a nose of the winner in second at this course and distance last start. Draws to enjoy the favours so could go one better. PRO FORMA (6) is having his first run for the Chris & Corey Munce barn and has been gelded since last seen. Resumes after finishing sixth in the Listed Talindert Stakes at Flemington 11 months ago and won his only other run. Has trialled so keep safe. ATTENTIVE (8) showed good improvement for a second-up win at Doomben and could progress further.
RACE 4 - STELLAR LADY (9) made it two from two at this course and distance when scoring two back then performed well again over the same trip last time at Gold Coast, chasing well to go under by a head. In form and can maintain her perfect record here. NEW HAMPSHIRE (6) has been racing well on the poly, coming home strongly to win last time out. Has performed well here before so can bring that form to the turf. KING YOSHI (5) is a handy type who resumes after a break of five months. Fitter for two nice trials and races well at this course and distance. One of the contenders. BANK BOOK (14) has produced two good efforts at this track since a fresh win at Gold Coast. Go well.
RACE 5 - AUTORA (9) won a city maiden over this journey three back and was an eye catcher last start at Ipswich, settling at the tail before running on to miss by a nose. Maloney goes aboard. Big chance to go one better. SCRIBBLE (5) led and fought well to miss by just a head here last start. Draws wider but that last run should have brought him to peak fitness. EIGHT CYLINDERS (2) took a while to win his maiden but achieved it in good style last start, leading throughout to score by 0.8 lengths at this track and trip. Rates as one of the chief contenders. Must respect. Last-start maiden winner MR O'REILLY (8) is lightly raced with upside so could take the next step.
RACE 6 - FAIRWAY CHOICE (2) is a promising type who finished a 0.6L third in a Country Championships qualifier over 1410m at Grafton at her last appearance in February. Unbeaten both when fresh and over this distance and was sharpened for this with a trial win. Can maintain the perfect fresh record. PIVOTAL LAD (3) was beaten 1.7L as favourite last start but has claims off a win at this track and trip two back. INDUBITABLY (11) is hard to knock off back-to-back wins and can measure up again while CATTRALL (13) tackled Listed level when resuming so is much better placed.
RACE 7 - STAR ACT (4) put the writing on the wall when third two runs back at Ipswich then delivered last time out, running on to score by 0.7 lengths as favourite over 1350m at Ipswich. Building a handy record at this distance range so could back that up. CASROCK (6) has been close-up in both runs since a spell, last time clocking in second at Ipswich. Rarely out of the placings at this distance range and has won third-up before so can peak. MERCHANT LADY (9) will be close to peak fitness and is nearing a win after placing at her last two outings in NSW. CREATIVITY MISS (15) has upside so can go on with it.
