An interesting midweek card with late season two and three-year-olds looking to get a score on the board.
With the rail out nine metres it will pay to be in the front half of the field and speedsters with a good gate will have an advantage.
BEST BET: KNIGHT’S CHOICE (Race 6 No 2)
NEXT BEST: SAVILEO (Race 5 No 1)
VALUE BET: NISHIKORI (Race 7 No 6)
Quaddie numbers are:
Race 6: 2,5
Race 7: 1,2,6
Race 8: 3,10,12,14
Race 9: 1,6,10,13
96 combinations
Race 1 – Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate 1350m
There wasn’t a lot wrong with TRANSATLANTIC (5)’s debut which came from a wide gate and gave them a big start before running on to place behind Right To Party. Gate one helps and with a positive ride from Jim Orman he is the one to beat.
EXPOSITION (3) got back in running but made ground when resuming here behind the promising Miracle Of Love. His earlier runs were in black-type races and Chris Waller brings them North for a purpose. Ryan Maloney replaces Jim Orman and will give him every chance.
WHAT A WEEKEND (6) blew in the market and did plenty wrong when unplaced in the same race as TRANSATLANTIC (5) last start but a stronger rider in Andrew Mallyon can make a difference.
BLACK MINTO (7) has had her chances but will find this easier than Listed company. There is not much speed in this and Martin Harley could put the handlebars down and give them something to chase.
Verdict- TRANSATLANTIC (5) for me.
Race 2 – Maiden Plate 1050m
Gates important here and SIMBU (7) showed speed but dropped out on debut. He subsequently paid the price having been gelded and recent trials indicate good ability. Tony Gollan has put Jim Orman on and he will take some running down.
JACKSON ON TIME (2) has had more than his share of chances but if he is in the mood could beat these easily. A strong rider in Martin Harley may help to convince him.
BETTER OFF SINGLE (10) had support and ran on to beat all but the stablemate on the Gold Coast poly when resuming. That was an improvement on previous efforts and she could go on with it.
The other Gollan runner JOHN RAMBO (5) is bred for much longer but looks a likely type at trials. Ryan Maloney gets on and this is not a strong Maiden. Watch for support.
Verdict- Not a race to excite but on SIMBU (7).
Race 3 – Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate 1050m
Only one of these has run recently and most are on debut, watch the market. BEAUTANTES (1) is out of the outstanding producer Funtantes and showed he has the family ability winning a recent trial. All dressed up with blinkers and a tongue-tie a good gate helps and Mark Du Plessis will have him well placed throughout.
THE PUNISHER (6) started favourite but was well beaten on debut at Toowoomba. Experience counts, he gets blinkers, a tongue-tie and has fitness on his side.
JACK’S BOOM (7) did nothing at debut but has won both her recent trials with Michael Cahill. She is out of a tough racemare and may be an improver.
MALARINA (8) has had several trials the most recent being her best. Now with Annabel Neasham she gets blinkers and will be ready to fire fresh.
Verdict- In the absence of anything else BEAUTANTES (1) is bred to win.
Race 4 – Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate 1110m
Another tough one with most having had their chances none more so than NEOCLASSICISM (5) which resumes with a good trial win under his belt. He has speed and with Ben Thompson can control the race.
HELLO IN THERE (11) is on debut and might want longer but did enough at her most recent trial to be competitive in this field.
FIERY RING (2) disappointed here last start but Jaden Lloyd gets back on and while he has found it hard to break through seven placings in 11 starts stacks up well here.
IN BARCELONA (12) led and knocked up at the Sunshine Coast last start. Gate one helps and with winkers off she has the speed to worry these.
Verdict- NEOCLASSICISM (5) won’t get a better chance.
Race 5 – Class 1 Handicap 1650m
Jack Bruce has had his frustrations with SAVILEO (1) but he is fitter for two outings, trialled solidly recently and will appreciate this trip. With Damien Thornton from a good gate he gets the gun run and can put a score on the board.
CAIRDEAS (5) took a long time to get her Maiden win but showed she is back in good order when coming from a long way back to run Brentwood to less than length when resuming at the Sunshine Coast. She would prefer a bigger track but this trip suits and a positive ride by Jaden Lloyd can make a difference.
KRONENBOURG (2) is another frustrating one giving them far too much start. Jim Orman stays on and with a more positive ride can be in the finish.
ENUNCIATION (3) is working his way into form and will appreciate the rise in distance. Ben Thompson replaces the apprentice Cejay Graham and can help overcome the wide gate.
Verdict- SAVILEO (1) is due.
Race 6 – Three-Year-Old Benchmark 65 Handicap 1650m
Some useful ones here and none more promising than KNIGHT’S CHOICE (2) which rounded them up from well back to bolt in a similar race at the Sunshine Coast last start. This tighter track is against him but Jaden Lloyd’s 1.5kg claim helps and he can go on his merry way.
HELL HATH NO FURY (5) is yet to be tried at this trip but brings Sydney Saturday form and was narrowly beaten in Listed company over 1400m when with Danny O’Brien. Now with Annabel Neasham she gets blinkers and with Ryan Maloney only needs to run the trip to be in the finish.
VON BEE (8) is a promising type and was way too good in Maiden company last start. With Tegan Harrison he will go forward and if allowed to roll along at his leisure will be hard to run down.
RED TOP (1) got too far back when resuming at the Sunshine Coast but will appreciate this extra distance and has won here previously. He has plenty of weight but won in Saturday grade last preparation and will be running on for Andrew Mallyon.
Verdict- KNIGHT’S CHOICE (2) the one with upside.
Race 7 – Class 6 Handicap 1650m
He is deep in his preparation but NISHIKORI (6) is holding his form well and fought on behind Ravaged Award and Indian Dreamer in a Class 6 Plate here last start. He dops 3kg under Handicap conditions and with Andrew Mallyon will be hard to hold out.
Rob Heathcote has brought DRIVE A DEEL (1) back to midweek grade after she found Listed Grade beyond her last start. She beat a Saturday field in this class two starts back and while up 5kg can give a sight again.
SUR LA MER (2) is fitter for two outings and wasn’t far away in a Group 3 when resuming. She is another with plenty of weight but class and Jim Orman will carry her a long way.
OUR REBEL (7) is fitter for two outings and wasn’t far away in a strong Benchmark 70 here last start. He drops 5kg and Kyle Wilson-Taylor will have him running on.
Verdict- Some value with NISHIKORI (6).
Race 8 – Benchmark 68 Handicap 1200m
Hard to go past a filly in form and ALAMIRA (12) was dominant at the Sunshine Coast last start. This is harder but she drops 1.5kg, Ryan Maloney stays on and has more upside than the rest.
SUPER GORGEOUS (10) disappointed last preparation but has a good first-up record and Brian Smith knows how to get them ready. With Larry Cassidy he can make his presence felt.
POCKET FULL (14) needs scratchings to get a run but is well-placed from the inside gate and with blinkers back on will give them something to catch.
HOKAHEY (3) is another that needs help with scratchings to improve her gate but did a good job at her first Queensland stint last preparation winning twice from four outings. Her recent trial showed she is back in good order and with Melea Castle’s 3kg claim will hit the line.
Verdict- Recent form is with ALAMIRA (12).
Race 9 – Class 3 Plate 1350m
Rob Heathcote has brought a strong team to this meeting and while most of O’MISS BEHAVING (10)’s form is on bigger tracks she has trialled well here in the past. Mares in form always deserve serious consideration and she was too good in a Class 2 last start at the Sunshine Coast. From a good gate with Ben Thompson she gets the gun run and will be hard to hold out again.
BILLY’S BRO (1) got the job done when long odds-on favourite in a Class 2 at Ipswich last start. This is harder but winning form is good form and Michael Cahill stays on.
TERANGA (13) disappointed last preparation after showing promise placing at Listed level and winning a Saturday three-year-old. Her recent trial was sound and is well-treated with only 54kg in this class.
STICK TO YOUR GUNS (6) found a strong Benchmark 75 last start and disappointed but is now fitter for three outings. His NSW form is up to this and Ryan Maloney can overcome the wide gate.
Verdict- Staying with O’MISS BEHAVING (10).