Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - DATINKA (4) resumed with a nice effort at Mackay. Keeps a top hoop and has plenty up the sleeve. Fitter and should run out the longer sprint. PELSAERT (3) was well supported but ran out of puff first-up. The money came again after when he led narrowly beaten. He has more to give and fitter will be hard to beat. WANDERLEI (7) has been racing well without winning. Draws low today and he will be around the mark. DEER HUNTER (1) drops back to a sprint and has been kept on the fresh side. Draws awkwardly but is better than the form line suggests and Wiggins' booking suggests he'll go well. ICE BOUND (11) was only beaten 1L here last time and is in the mix.
RACE 2 - MAGIC INTENT (10) resumes off a promising initial preparation and was heavily bet the latest. She will be naturally improved and will run along from the low barrier. ROTH 'N' BUBBLE (9) also resumes and has shown enough to say she's a decent chance. She also has plenty of scope for improvement. STEP TO SUCCESS (6) debuts and owns a big Rockhampton trial win. Has a top hoop booked and the blinkers on. Should have the early speed to manage the awkward barrier. HEROIC NIC (5) was new but okay here on debut and resumes after 229 days. Has to be kept onside.
RACE 3 - READY TO PARDON (3) has placed a distant second twice in this grade behind Sweet Kisses in his last two and that form is good enough. Maps for a soft run and tumbles in weight. Finds the right race and can get the job done. BEAU RAIN (2) also found Sweet Kisses much too good last time but the form prior reads strongly. Has an awkward gate but rates a live chance. BRINGYATICKET (1) resumed and has won 5/11. He's proven fresh and Butler sticking is a positive. He should be right in the finish. WIN AND TONIC (5) was plain two back but the form each side of that would see him most competitive.
RACE 4 - SUPER TWENTY THREE (4) was spelled off a deserved and heavily bet Maiden win. Resumes today and Wiggins' booking suggests the well-bred gelding is pleasing. Expect a bold run. MISSION HOUSE (2) resumes and finds easier. He will improve over longer but rates well and draws handy. MISS DAURIAN (11) won the Maiden by a space at Bowen and would be a hope holding that form. SWITCH AND SLIDE (7) has been racing well in easier and is in the mix.
RACE 5 - YES DREAM (2) resumes for the new barn and has won 4/6 fresh. Just missed this grade his lone start last preparation and a top hoop stays aboard. CHILLI JAM (6) keeps extending the picket fence, the latest in a 70 again heavily bet. She has been freshened and back to the 1000m will hold no fears. Stays down in the weights and can go on with it. ASPEN LAD (5) didn't miss a beat winning at Home Hill first-up at this level. He will get every chance to build on that. OCEAN EMPEROR (3) was beaten 2L in the same contest and his best is good enough.
RACE 6 - WEMYSS (7) resumes in easier and is proven fresh. Brings strong form and is a decent chance. LUCKY ROLLA (3) was a comfortable Maiden winner here spiking his figures. Has a wide gate but doubt this is much harder and he should go close. WICKLOW LASS (9) has been racing well without winning. She will push forward and can get some of the money. SHEEZ MARVELLOUS (8) made it a double at the non-Tabs and will be fitter. Has an awkward gate but rates in the mix.
RACE 7 - A good contest. DECRYPTING GOLD (3) seeks the hat-trick off a tidy win at 55 level. Keeps improving and with the rails advantage can go on with it. VANCOUVER BAY (2) peaks and has been threatening since the Cairns win. Maps for a soft run and gets another chance with Butler reunited FINSCEAL (1) is better than the three runs this preparation suggest. Wiggins goes on for Butler and tipping he can show more like his best. CHOQUANT (4) made good improvement second-up and can build on that. He should be right in it as well.
RACE 8 - SPEED LEGEND (2) seeks the hat-trick and delivered by 5L at Cairns 12 days ago at this level. Carries just a half kilo more and presenting at peak can go right on with the job. MYSTERY 'N' MAGIC (5) won the Open here and then wasn't beaten far at Cairns as favourite. He's been freshened and can make the finish with average luck from the awkward barrier. INVESTOR (7) was plain last time but the form prior stacks up. Fully fit and sits down in the weights. MISS SEATTLE (6) is also up to this at best and is going well enough to consider.
RACE 9 - Tricky. BEAUTY BOOM (3) was a little plain at Cairns last time but the two runs here prior read well. Comes back in grade and draws for the run of the race. Stanley is a key jockey switch for the 3kg apprentice. HARROW (1) resumes and the former Victorian is certainly good enough if presented on song. Wiggins' booking suggests he's pleasing the yard and he has the skill to manage the awkward barrier. MOKTAFFY (2) resumes and has switched from the Waller barn. He's also raced well in better company and the betting moves will also guide to his readiness. BLOOMIN' READY (12) has switched from a NSW barn on a 30-day return. Won a Goulburn Maiden two back and he deserves consideration at a price.
