Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - LITTLE PINKER (10) has been runner-up in 3 of her 4 career starts and fought on well enough at Rockhampton 12 days ago when finishing 3 lengths adrift of the winner on a heavy track. The key here is the drop down to 1000m and she is ready to break through. DISCO ANNIE (2) is resuming from a spell and will be a lot stronger in this campaign. This field is not strong and she has each-way claims if the early markets are correct. VIGANOTTO (7) is having her second start for a new trainer after making the move North at the start of the month. The blinkers are back on and an improved effort is expected. Watch closely. HIGHWAY TO HELL (1) is an ex-Victorian who showed plenty of natural speed on debut before waking out of it. He has a good draw and is well worth each-way consideration, especially if the money comes for him.

RACE 2 - FORGETABOUTIT (8) showed potential as a juvenile earlier in the year and probably lacked some strength when being beaten as a favourite during that prep. He looked sharp when finishing third in a recent trial and has the blinkers off for his return. Hard to beat from a good draw. OUT OF SIGHT (6) led up and was run down in his last 3 starts last prep and would have matured further since then. She has form on the course which is an advantage and can make a winning start to this campaign. KUROMI SAMA (4) failed to fire at Gladstone when resenting the kickback off the track that day. Her form prior was improving and she has the ability to claim a top 3 spot in this race. ENUFF STOP IT (3) has speed but has been unable to sustain it. She resumes from a spell that would have done her the world of good and can't be ruled out of winning this fresh-up.

RACE 3 - VADAMOS QUEEN (7) changed stables before her last run and found the opposition more to her liking and scored as expected at Cairns 10 days ago. She will relish the step up in distance and revels in wet ground. With conditions to suit, she can win again. BLUE SWIMMER (4) has been holding his form nicely for his new trainer and finished runner-up as favourite at Mackay 5 days ago. He is in a good space and can go one better this time. MISSION HOUSE (2) worked hard off a wide draw at Townsville last time out but still managed to hold onto third spot. He has a far better draw this time and has already won twice on this track in the past. Stick with him. MELANIN (9) has been racing well on the picnic circuit and was a game runner-up at Innisfail last start. He returns to a middle distance and has each-way claims again.

RACE 4 - ISSHEGREY (9) was a beaten favourite at a recent Longreach picnic meeting but was not far off the winner that day. She has had a gear change since then and also carries 3kg less this time. A win would be no surprise. Follow your money. LEGAL CHALLENGE (1) has changed stables since his last start at Canberra on the Acton track and should find things easier around this area. He resumes from a spell and the markets will be an important guide. TAHKIAN BUBBLES (4) was unlucky in her penultimate start at Rockhampton before not doing much there last time out on a track wetter than she preferred. She is looking for a firmer surface and can turn her last run right around in this. Stick with her. BLOOMIN' RIPPER (8) did not fire at all last time out at Cairns and may have needed it after being a late scratching a few days earlier. She is worth another chance at odds. VALENTINO MISS (12) will be peaking third up and will appreciate the step up in distance. She has top 3 claims again.

RACE 5 - IRRESISTIBLE FORCE (1) finally broke through for a long overdue maiden win when capping off 3 successive second-place finishes with a win at Cairns 10 days ago. He was tried in front that day and ran his rivals into the ground which could have been the key to his success. He has the right draw to find the front again early on and now that the penny has dropped, he should go right on with the job. RUGGED ROY (10) has won on this track in the past and was fourth at Bowen 10 days ago at a picnic meeting. He wants a good track and is not out of this. Each-way. PARA PARK CHANCE (3) finished second in the same race as the third pick 10 days ago and did win his only start on this track. He has a good draw and should be right in the finish again. VEE EIGHT POWER (6) has some top 3 claims after a last start fourth at Townsville 24 days ago.

RACE 6 - THE REAL THING (3) has changed stables since finishing third at Pakenham over a mile on the poly track there just over 7 weeks ago. 1 of his 2 career wins has come over 1000m and even from a wide gate, he bears close watching. He can win and a close eye should be kept on any positive market movements. HARTSHORN (5) won 2 on the bounce to open this prep and has not been too far away in his next couple of starts. He eases slightly in class for this and will appreciate a return to 1000m. Stick with him on an each-way basis. HE'S ALL POWER (6) had been run down in his first 2 starts of this campaign before seeing it all the way through to the end at Cairns 10 days ago over 950m. This is not much harder and he can repeat the dose. HAND GRENADE (10) has been a late scratching since his last start second placing in a 4-horse field nearly 4 weeks ago at Cairns. She will make full use of the pole position and should be thereabouts again. Include in all combinations.

RACE 7 - KIHI (9) won fresh up before not having much luck at Townsville last time out after making a slow start. She has trialled to the satisfaction of stewards since that run and is nicely placed in this field with 5.5kg less to carry. She can bounce straight back into the winners' circle here. MISHANI MYSTIQUE (8) was a big winner by 6 lengths at a recent Gladstone picnic meeting and was runner-up at Yeppoon before that. Her form will hold up here and even from a wide gate, she is an each-way threat again. LILY ALLEZ (1) blew the start at Longreach 2 starts back but then made amends with a solid Dingo win by a neck 3 days ago. Stick with her. GREENHEART (6) has been racing consistently in similar fields to this and drops 7kg in weight from his last run at Richmond. Another honest effort is on the cards.

RACE 8 - UNDER THE LIMIT (9) did not fire under a big weight and from a wide gate at Bowen 10 days ago. He has 8.5kg less to carry this time and also has Adrian Layt back in the saddle. His form prior to his last start was rock-solid and he can bounce straight back into the money here. GULF OF LION (5) ran on too late from back in the field with a big weight at Cairns last time out and finished fifth. He likes some cut in the ground and will appreciate having 8kg less to carry this time. Hard to beat with the advantage of the pole position. ECHO POINT (2) is building his fitness and was a solid enough third at a recent Bowen picnic meeting. He has won 10 of his 34 starts and 2 of them have come third-up. Watch closely. Can win. VENTURA OCEAN (10) was only beaten by a half-a-length at Bowen 10 days ago and would prefer a firmer surface here. He is good enough on his day to be winning this and having Justin P Stanley in the saddle is also a bonus. Go again.

RACE 9 - DEEL WITH ME (2) came home with a rush when finishing runner-up by a head at Bowen 10 days ago and he normally holds his form. He has a good draw here and with a 3kg claim, he can have a say in the outcome of this race as well. HEARSAY (9) had no luck at all late in the run home at Cairns last time out and is sliding down in class here. She cops a wide gate but a win would be no surprise. BABY GUINNESS (4) is unbeaten in 3 starts on this track and was a fast finishing fourth at Townsville a month ago. Hard to beat again. OLD SCHOOL (11) did not fire in a tougher field at Cairns last time out and her third at Townsville before that is the better guide to use. She is worth another chance. Include in all multiples.