Only seven races but plenty of depth with interesting newcomers. The weather has been kind and with the rail out eight metres all horses should get their chance.
Market moves will play their role in the Maidens but other than that I am trusting recent form to hold true.
BEST BET: DRAMMATICA (Race 5 No 12)
NEXT BEST: BRENTWOOD (Race 6 No 4)
VALUE BET: ASHILLA (Race 4 No 7)
Quaddie numbers are:
Race 4: 3,7,9
Race 5: 8,11,12
Race 6: 4,8
Race 7: 1,2.9
54 combinations
Race 1- Two-Year-Old Fillies Maiden Plate 1000m
Godolphin runners are rare at the Sunshine Coast on a Sunday and while ELBA (3) hasn’t had an official trial she has been educated at jumpouts. Her dam was a Group 2 winner and the full-sister won her Maiden three weeks ago. Longer will be better but the big track will suit and with Ryan Maloney from a good gate class will carry her a long way.
FEMME FATALE (5) is bred for speed and the dam won three times for Kelly Schweida during her career. She won a recent trial and with Jim Orman can continue the family tradition of winning at her first start for the trainer.
ENCRYPTED ELEGANCE (4) is another that hasn’t been seen at the trials but is out of a tough mare that won ten races in a long career. She may find these too sharp on debut but the long straight is in her favour.
BOATING (1) ran above expectations on debut and can improve.
Verdict- A market watch on both ELBA (3) and FEMME FATALE (5).
Race 2- Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Maiden Plate 1000m
Another race full of mystery and when in doubt go with Stuart Kendrick on his home track. WHAT A WEEKEND (11) won his only trial and gets blinkers. The gate is a concern but he is bred for speed and Ryan Maloney can take luck out of the equation. The stablemate DEFIANT SPIRIT (5) has had two trials winning the most recent after being gelded. He also has a speed pedigree and will be prominent for Tiff Brooker.
STAR OF ROBIGLEN (6) was green and well beaten on debut at Ipswich but experience counts and winkers will help. Jake Bayliss stays on and can make his presence felt.
VICTORY WIN (10) was never on the track at Ipswich on debut and will appreciate the better gate, He has some speed and can box seat with Jag Guthmann-Chester.
Verdict- A Stuart Kendrick quinella.
Race 3- Maiden Plate 2200m
Chris Waller brings them here to win and OCTAVIO (8) is only having hi third start after battling efforts at Toowoomba and Beaudesert. He gets on a track that suits and from gate one Ryan Maloney will give him every chance to show his prowess as a stayer. The stablemate MR PLUME (7) found some trouble but only battled against better class three-year-olds on the heavy track at Ipswich. This is more suitable and on his effort at Wyong two starts back Jim Orman can get him in the frame.
FLYING PHAROAH (6) has been racing on the poly at the Gold Coast but was runner-up on the turf at Port Macquarie three starts back. He is another young horse on the improve with relatively few convictions and this trip may be what he needs.
THE KHAN (5) has had more than his share of chances but will be near the lead for a long way and keep plugging away.
Verdict- A Chris Waller quinella.
Race 4- Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap 1200m
Experience counts and ASHILLA (7) hasn’t been helped by wide gates at her past two starts but has been hitting the line over 1000m. She hasn’t missed a place in four outings, the extra distance and better gate work in her favour and with 2kg less she will be hard to hold out.
Adam Campton has a high strike rate and PANGAEA (3) has looked useful at his trials. His dam was a smart racemare and the full-brother has won twice in Japan. A tongue-tie goes on and with Jim Orman from a good gate he can make his presence felt.
IN BARCELONA (9) did plenty wrong but finished on terms with ASHILLA (7) last start. Her manners are a concern but she drops 1.5kg and with Ben Thompson replacing Jake Bayliss that may make a difference.
LOVE TONIGHT (10) is poorly drawn but is a likely type bred for speed. She meets a moderate field and could show up fresh for Ryan Maloney
Verdict- ASHILLA (7) is ready to win,
Race 5- Class 3 Handicap 1200m
Tony Gollan has found a suitable race for DRAMMATICA (12) which took a long time to win her Maiden but backed that up quickly before being spelled. A wide gate was no help at Ipswich last start but she is fitter for two outings and knows how to hit the line. Ben Thompson stays on and with a good run off the speed will be hard to hold out.
SACCA (8) had trouble getting clear at Gatton and is much better suited on this track where she has recorded all three of her wins. She drops 1.5kg and will box seat with Luke Tarrant from a good gate.
ALAMIRA (11) had a wide run and wasn’t far away in a stronger Class 3 than this at Ipswich last start, She is poorly drawn again but has won here before and Ryan Maloney knows what to do.
RUINART (13) wasn’t suited by the tight Ipswich track and got too far out of her ground. She won here two starts back and from a good gate Matt Powell an ride positively.
Verdict- DRAMMATICA (12) to break through.
Race 6- Benchmark 65 Handicap 1400m
A chance for BRENTWOOD (4) to make amends after he was ridden back at Gatton but left it too late. He won here at his previous start in a Class 1 over this trip when ridden forward and with Jim Orman back on a repeat is on the cards.
CALCAREOUS (8) has been haunted by bad gates at recent starts but his luck has turned and he often races well here. He drops 2kg and Andrew Mallyon will have him in the firing line throughout.
GENTLE PRINCE (1) doesn’t win out of turn but is always a chance in this class of race and three of his five wins have been here. The 2kg claim for Yvette Lewis helps and ridden off the speed he can hit the line.
AGENT OF MAYHEM (3) has been in great form on the poly and has raced well here previously. Jag Guthmann-Chester stays on and he will be handy in running.
Verdict- Not a race to excite but consistency is with BRENTWOOD (4).
Race 7- Class 1 Handicap 1000m
Stuart Kendrick is always hard to beat on his home track and JUST GOES BETTER (2) has a good first-up record. He is resuming from a bleeding attack but has been readied by jumpouts and hasn’t finished out of the top four in his short career. He has speed and with Damien Thornton will be prominent for a long way.
CATWALK CRIMINAL (9) bolted in at Beaudesert on debut and then placed here before being spelled. He returns on the back of a dominant trial win and Karl Zechner will send him forward to make his own luck.
THE ROCKWELL SCALE (1) has just missed at Murwillumbah and Ipswich at his past two outings. He meets a tougher field here but with Jim Orman from a good gate will be given every chance.
MAROON MAGIC (11) disappointed at Coffs Harbour when resuming but this trip may be more to her liking. She drops 2.5kg and Mark Du Plessis can go forward to make his own luck.
Verdict- JUST GOES BETTER (2) to do just that.