Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ELAEA (5) is showing potential and followed up a big trial win here with a nice effort for third fresh up on the turf course a fortnight ago. She will be better for that effort and with 2kgs less to carry this time, she is the one to beat. TE PANI (8) was third in his last couple of starts at Wyong and has since joined the Queensland arm of the Neasham/Archibald stable. A wide draw is no help but she will find this company more suitable and should be hard to beat. MISS LINNY (6) only came to the end of her run when finishing fourth on debut at Dalby nearly 2 weeks ago. With the natural improvement that is expected second up, she can have a say in the outcome of this race. ADORADEC (4) was runner-up in her only public trial and has James Orman in the saddle for her debut which is a strong lead. She has a good draw and is sure to have plenty of admirers.
RACE 2 - LIMERO (1) was gelded over his spell and after winning a trial he resumed on a winning note at Eagle Farm, scoring by nearly a length. He has been placed in 2 subsequent starts, including his last run on the turf here as favourite a fortnight ago. He is suited by the pole position and should be hard to hold out. BEACHSIDE BABE (3) showed her liking for the poly surface when dropping in class and finishing runner-up here a week ago. She is likely to run on the pace and can go one better this time. MARCH AS ONE (2) gave a good kick after setting the pace on the turf here last time out and finished third at long odds. He will be peaking third up and with a superior gate this time, he will be hard to beat.
RACE 3 - ASHFALL (3) dropped down in class and ran his best race this prep when finishing runner-up on the turf here a fortnight ago. The extra 350m will suit him and he will be at his peak fitness fourth up. He has a handy draw and can go one better this time. SAVILEO (2) has found it hard to win another race but is seldom far from the action and was runner-up at Doomben 11 days ago in a tougher field. He has form on the poly surface and has a great chance to break his win drought here. LUTON HOO (4) has plenty of upside and fought on bravely to hold second place at Ipswich last time out. Her breeding says she will relish a middle distance and can get the job done this time. TORQUE LEICA STAR (5) is better than she showed last start and can bounce back.
RACE 4 - EXTREMAARTY (2) found some trouble here on the turf in his penultimate start before dropping in class and scoring at a recent Gladstone picnic meeting. His confidence is high and a handy 3kg claim will help him here. Should be putting his best foot forward. CURRY LEGEND (7) did not feature in his only run on this surface earlier in his career but has won a trial here so he can follow up on his second at Ipswich 16 days ago. The blinkers are back on and he should be in the finish again. I AM VOODOO (1) was far too good here last time out and carried a big weight on that occasion too. Should go close once again.
RACE 5 - WHAT A WEEKEND (3) sat outside the pace on this course last week and proved to be too strong when scoring by a head. He will still be on the up with his fitness and should have no issue this prep with the step up to a mile. He has 3kg less to carry and can make it 2 wins on the bounce. MISS MIRIAM (6) is having her first run on a ploy track after back-to-back second placings, including her last start at Doomben in a stronger field 18 days ago. She let down strongly from well back that day so should have no problems trying a mile for the first time. Hard to beat. GOOD LIEUTENANT (4) fought back strongly after being headed at Ipswich last start when finishing third. He will be peaking at the right time and should cope with the extra 250m fourth up. He is down in weight and another honest effort is expected.
RACE 6 - VETTA VELOCITA (5) is a very handy local gelding who got the decision by a nose on the turf here a fortnight ago. He has winning form on the poly surface and with the advantage of the pole position, there is no reason by he can't win again. WINSTON SMURFHILL (6) is making his poly track debut after finishing runner-up behind the second pick in the same race when resuming from a spell. He steps up to his pet trip and can go one better. MENAZZI (4) posted a good figure on resumption over 1200m on the Turf course here and he's a two-time winner second-up. Can make his presence felt.
RACE 7 - VICTORY COMMAND (5) was on a 3-day back when dropping his rider in a much tougher field at Eagle Farm last time out and had finished runner-up 3 times in a row before that. He is back in his rightful maiden grade and has been back to the trials since his last start. James Orman picks up the ride and he can break through this time. DARK CHILL (2) has been knocking on the door this prep and was beaten by a nose at Dalby last start after finishing third on this track when resuming from a spell before that. The winkers are on for the first time and he will be hard to hold out. ULTIMATE OUTCOME (3) overcame a rocky run and hit the line strongly when seventh fresh-up on the turf course here a fortnight ago. He normally improves with racing and has an extra furlong to travel this time. Watch for him late. Can win. PRIMARY WITNESS (8) was a last start winner at a recent Bundaberg picnic meeting and he can measure up in this as well. Stick with him. Each way value.
