Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - IRRESISTIBLE FORCE (3) peaks off two placed efforts and will find this easier than Rockhampton last time. Peaks and can win for the potent Stanley-Taylor linkage. EARLY FUSION (5) is a former Sydney galloper who will be better for the first-up outing for the new barn. Had good support and would be right in it at best. Wiggins is a key jockey switch from the apprentice. LOVE ON DISPLAY (9) presents third up. Comes back 200m on a 6-day return. Can make the finish with average luck from an awkward gate. SPEC OF SILVER (13) placed here third-up improving. She's speedy but the niggle is the longer sprint.
RACE 2 - PAPASITO (2) is a leader who deserved the easy win at Rockhampton this grade and then was claimed late here stepping up to 1560m heavily bet. He will be sharper back to 1300m and it's hard to go past the Stanley-Taylor linkage. BOLD COMIC (1) won here this grade by a space and followed with a 1.4L defeat at the Sunshine Coast on a heavy track. This is easier and the 4kg claim takes care of the weight rise. He should get every chance. HANGIN' AROUND (3) was plainer last time dropping back to a shorter sprint. He will be much more competitive at 1300m and will push forward. A winning chance at best. CRAICARO (6) tries hard and will be around the mark at a price.
RACE 3 - BOLD HUNTER (2) is a course and distance specialist who missed a whisker at this level before finding the step up to Open grade a bit of a stretch. 2x winning driver Wiggins is reunited and can give him a soft run. BEAUTY BOOM (4) is a leader who won a CL3 comfortably at Townsville before a close-up effort there in a CL6. The in-form Huxtable replaces the 3kg apprentice and he can bounce back in lesser company. SINGLE MEMO (7) deserved the win here this grade and then led again at Townsville beaten 1.6L in a 65. Has weight relief and will push on and ride the speed. She also has claims. DOLLAR DOLLAR (5) resumes and is proven fresh. The inside gate should advantage and 2x winning rider Stanley is reunited. He's good enough and also deserves plenty of consideration.
RACE 4 - Competitive. MAURICE'S MEDAD (8) was narrowly beaten at Ipswich and then switched to the sharp Clinton Taylor barn and was outgraded in the Rockhampton Cup. Stays down in the weights and finally draws a low barrier. He rates well and Stanley sticking aboard is a positive. FIGHTING COMMANDO (1) found one much too good here seeking the hat-trick at this level over 1560m. He's won this track/distance and Wiggins is a key jockey switch replacing the 3kg apprentice. Maps for the run of the race. KICK ON COMMAND (6) is the better supported on the Taylor-trained pair. Was back to his best winning a 65 at Rockhampton. First go over this distance but expect it to suit. Has the outside gate but Collett should give him every chance. MAJOR ARTIE (2) has been struggling to find his best but peaks today and the extra metres will assist. Keep safe.
RACE 5 - GENERAL WOLFFE (5) won the CL1 at Rockhampton and then just missed there and it was a big effort from the 14 gate. He can settle handier today and the extra 200m shouldn't bother. He can bounce back. BRAND NEW (2) improved again when beaten a nose over 2215m in stronger. He placed at this distance prior and is capable of going one better for the sharp Stanley-Taylor linkage. GOLD WITNESS (6) made sharp improvement at Rockhampton and Wiggins is a key jockey switch. Has weight relief and the extra metres will suit. STRUCK TWICE (1) is a former Victorian who has needed the two runs for the new barn. Draws wide but the extra metres will suit. Huxtable is booked replacing Stanley.
RACE 6 - WHITSUNDAY SESSION (10) is another strong winning chance for the high-striking Stanley Taylor linkage. She was spelled following an easy win on debut and trialled well before a narrow defeat first-up (both at Rockhampton). Fitter and suited back in grade. Maps for the run of the race. GOLD ACADEMY (2) peaks off a dominant Maiden win here when racing forward. He will be further improved and can fill out the quinella. SUPER FAST (1) disappointed at Rockhampton last start but missed a whisker there prior when first up and that reads okay. Fitter and looks over the odds. SERAFIMA (9) resumes and has switched from a NSW barn. Showed plenty early doors but the form has tapered off. She would be much too good at best and will find this company more to her liking.
RACE 7 - Clinton Taylor-trained HONKYTONK DIVA (3) has won three of her last four starts, the latest in the Rockhampton Newmarket at this level. She is a course/distance winner and a gun hoop stays aboard. Rates to go back to back. TRACK TALE (13) won here and then delivered in a Rockhampton 70 heavily bet. The figures stack up and she tumbles 10.5kg at this level. Has the early speed to manage the awkward gate and is a chance. TIGER LEGEND (1) missed 1L behind Honkytonk Diva in the Rockhampton Newmarket and it was a mighty effort after settling last from the wide barrier. Draws handy today and winning rider Butler is reunited. A bold effort is anticipated. MONTENEGRO MAN (2) just missed here in Open grade first-up and is proven second-up. He has more to give and maps well. BOLD AND LUCY (12) resumes and is up to this at best. Goes fresh but an outside gate cruels.
RACE 8 - UNDER THE LIMIT (2) brings a heavily-bet win from Townsville in a 60. Will present at peak fitness and has a handy 1.5kg claim. He's likely to settle forward today and can go on with the job for the in-form Button yard. KAHAYLAAN (16) surprised the market when narrowly beaten here in a CL6 over this distance. Maps well and on that effort rates a silid each way chance. SERGEANT HULKA (5) peaks and forgive the latest on a wet track at Ipswich in a 68. Has a handy 4kg claim and he's certainly good enough. Draws wide and that's a niggle. CHICKERARTIE (4) will skip over and ride the speed. The 3kg claim benefits and she will give a sight. BARNEY RABBLE (11) spiked his figures placing at Rockhampton but will need luck skipping over from the outside barrier.
