By Darryn Nufer (Photo: Matt Harris)
Race 1 – Small field of three-year-olds to kick off proceedings and it’s hard to go past (1) Legal Ties. Finished second (1.75 lengths) behind the talented Gypsy Toff last time and suited here with 57kg. What would Gypsy Toff do to this field? (3) Our Top Shelf was a last start winner here and hasn’t been far away in most of his runs to date. (4) Gohan can improve second-up. (5) Wicked Grimshaw resumes and might need this run (no trials).
SELECTIONS: Legal Ties; Our Top Shelf; Gohan; Wicked Grimshaw.
Race 2 – (6) Rusty Scooter returned to the winner’s stall last start and looks well weighted with 55kg to repeat. (1) Turkey Beach didn’t have much luck trapped wide in a small field first-up. Should get a good run drawn the inside, does have to lump 60kg which is some concern, but is better than most of these. (3) Chief Advocate looks suited with 56kg particularly if Mystic Lad injects some speed into the race. (4) Mystic Lad has been racing well of late.
SELECTIONS: Rusty Scooter; Turkey Beach; Chief Advocate; Mystic Lad.
Race 3 – Liked the way (2) Friendly Dragon was finishing off the Mackay Newmarket after being slowly away and think he may represent the value here. (1) Heartbreak Harry is the class runner of the race and deserves 60kg but tempo is going to be crucial to his chances. (3) Worthy Hero returned to the winner’s stall last week at Mackay and if he gets a soft lead will be hard to run down. (4) Stellar Knight may be the best of the rest.
SELECTIONS: Friendly Dragon; Heartbreak Harry; Worthy Hero; Stellar Knight.
Race 4 – With barrier advantage leaning towards Tom Button's debutant (2) That's Anna who has three 900m trials under her belt. (11) No Finer Jet looked good winning a recent maiden trial over 900m here and this doesn’t look a strong field although the wide barrier from the 1050m start does worry me a little and wouldn't want to be taking short odds. (6) Heeb’s First Angel could be worth a spec at value and is drawn to get a good run. Stablemate (4) Jabrook has a horror gate in 14 to overcome but still has better form than most of these.
SELECTIONS: That's Anna; No Finer Jet; Heeb’s First Angel; Jabrook.
Race 5 – The scratching of topweight French Hussler opens this race up. Don't want to be taking short odds Barbados Storm (up in grade) so maybe the stablemate (2) Green Empire is the improver and the way to go with the inside gate and Justin Stanley on. (6) Barbados Storm has strung two victories together in succession and it’s hard to knock winning form. (4) Mr Boxvale has run top two at last four outings and has great record at the mile. (7) Claim The Throne won the Gladstone Cup last start and could be a blowout down in the weights. Didn’t find a spot for (8) Extra Cover but still wary of him with no weight on his back.
SELECTIONS: Green Empire; Barbados Storm; Mr Boxvale; Claim The Throne.
Race 6 – Roma visitor (3) Set To Conquer looks to have good overall form for a Class 1 at Rocky so prepared to go with him. On her best form (5) Bring Me Luck is capable of turning these over. (2) Marquant could improve back on a turf track. (6) Crafty Aquila has run okay when venturing here previously so in the mix.
SELECTIONS: Set To Conquer; Bring Me Luck; Marquant; Crafty Aquila.
Race 7 – Former NSW galloper (3) Static Lift had the flashing light on when getting home hard at Townsville and should be ready to show up now. (10) Now Ask Me has been going great guns so expect her to be in the firing line again with nothing on her back. Starting to lose patience with (2) Guissola but gun jockey sticks so have to respect that. (4) Swingahinch is always around the mark and drops in grade.
SELECTIONS: Static Lift; Now Ask Me; Guissola; Swingahinch.