Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SMOKE 'N' OAKUM (5) peaks off a string of placings in stronger city and provincial Maidens. He can sit more forward today and the shorter sprint shouldn't bother. MATERIALIST (9) disappointed on debut and was spelled after. She's had three sharp trials and won her latest by a space. The in-form Huxtable rides and that's a decent push for her chances. EL PENSADOR (2) resumes for the new barn and has shown enough to say he's a chance. The recent trial win suggests he's in good order. RED TOFFEE (4) trialled big and didn't miss by far at Gatton on debut. Has the rail and where there's smoke.
RACE 2 - AERIAL ARSENAL (6) improved sharply at Ipswich beaten a nose. That's good form and she will hit this at peak. Just needs a good ride from the awkward barrier. GLISSA (10) just missed in a Doomben trial and didn't have the best of it at Ipswich on debut. Was expected to need it anyway and expect the metro-trained mare to be much sharper back to country grade. FIELD OF MARS (3) is running out of chances but presents fourth up and is going well enough to say he's a chance. In good hands and the 2kg claim is handy. COLTMAN (2) resumed improved with a near miss at Bowen. The 2kg claimer will use the low barrier and fitter he deserves consideration.
RACE 3 - PAUL EDWARD (7) has switched barns and just missed in the Victorian country when last seen 38 days ago. He's trialled at Deagon and his best is good enough. Races forward and the betting will be key. CRYPT DE PIN (5) is third up and should be suited over the longer journey. Finally draws a low gate and should get every chance. BOOM CRUSHER (2) improved again beaten 1L at Lismore. Draws wide but the in-form Huxtable goes aboard. A chance with average luck. JOHN'S ROAD (20) is hard to catch but maps well and is on a quick backup. He went well two back and may be best of the rest.
RACE 4 - JUST CLIFFY (1) missed a whisker twice at Toowoomba on firm surfaces before tacking stronger at Doomben beaten 2.5L on a heavy track. He races at peak fitness and the hot hoop is booked. Much better suited and is the one to beat. HEADLINE LEGEND (3) will be better for the two placed runs on the synthetic. Has the first-time winkers applied and is likely to push forward. Fitter and is likely to lift again racing on the turf. CHAMPAGNE ROUGE (10) placed at Doomben before the spell and will improve off the two runs this preparation at the provincials. Expect her to find more like her best at a price. BATE (2) trialled well and was solid at Doomben on debut. He will be fitter and is a hope.
RACE 5 - RAN NA LADY (5) is fast and seeks the hat-trick off a big win at Toowoomba over this distance. Keeps improving and maps to advantage. They've scratched a fancied stablemate and she can go right on with it. DAWYN'S CHOICE (3) led and won the 60 at Ipswich first-up sharply improved. That stacks up and she has the early speed to clear the awkward barrier. She's been kept on the fresh side and is a winning chance. COINCIDE (1) has switched from a top Sydney yard and resumed at Warwick Farm 51 days ago and didn't appreciate the heavy track. Started $5 and this suits a lot better. Draws inside and he runs along. HUSS ON FIRST (8) raced favourite at Toowoomba first-up and was slow out. The rail is there to use, and she has pieces of form that would give her a chance.
RACE 6 - Plenty od chances. COBURG (9) has been narrowly beaten his last two and led at Gatton last time. he can run along from an insider barrier and will get every chance to go one better. SILVER PEARL (5) is certainly good enough but has been off the scene for 509 days. That makes it an ask, but she's trialled twice and Cartwright sticking aboard is a positive lead. The betting will be key. UNION SPIRIT (3) has been down on his best but comes back in grade with a handy 2kg claim balancing the weight rise. In good hands and no surprise to see him in the finish. POT POT BOOM (13) has been racing well at Gatton and has further upside. Consider.
RACE 7 - TOBA (12) impressed with a second at Gatton and then returned and delivered the 58 racing handier. He ran a short-priced favourite in both and drawn nicely he can go back-to-back. SUPER DUCK (2) won on the same day in stronger class bet into a short quote. Keeps the handy 2kg claim and he will ride the speed from an inside barrier. Go close. MR WANDJI (3) led and won the 62 at Ipswich by 4L finding his best. Has a 2kg claim and is fast enough to clear the tricky barrier. Go well again. ROMAN HEIR (13) is also a last-start winner and he maps well. Stanley stays aboard and that's a positive.
RACE 8 - Tough. NERANO (1) is a former Sydney galloper who will improve over the longer distance. He has a wide gate but he will push forward and Stanley goes aboard replacing the apprentice. Wins at best and gets the nod. GAELIC THUNDER (6) narrowly missed twice including here before jumping slow at Ipswich. Much better suited at this distance and he can make the finish with average luck. SHOTGUN SIXTYFOUR (8) ran along and was only beaten 2L at Toowoomba in stronger over a mile. Has a 2kg claim and will likely use the rails gate. On a 6-day return and gets her chance. BRINGME (3) resumes and kicking off at this trip shouldn't bother. He usually needs one but the grade suits
