It’s a strong Sunday meeting at the Sunshine Coast but I am sticking with the local trainers. No rain is forecast but the track is likely to be soft. With the rail out five metres, all will get their chance.
BEST BET
NEXT BEST
VALUE BET
QUADDIE
Race 5: 7,8,10
Race 6: 5,7,15
Race 7: 1,9
Race 8: 3,7,9
54 combinations
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No stars here and looking for those with least convictions. Blinkers replace visors on MIDORI MOVER (15) which wasn’t beaten far in a better Maiden than this when resuming at Ipswich. The extra distance suits and from a good gate he won’t be far away in running,
THE MANAGER (11) improved at Warwick and will appreciate this bigger track. With Michael Cahill he will be well-placed throughout and get his chance.
SHADED (10) debuted on the poly and despite a wide run was only beaten a neck. He is poorly drawn again but has speed and if he transfers the form to the grass will be in the finish.
IL TORO D’ORO (3) has shown some promise and resumes from a let-up. He has had issues and been a Maiden for a long time but fully fit can test these.
Verdict: MIDORI MOVER (15) has the most upside.
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Race 2: Class 3 Handicap 1000m
Going with STAR GAMBLE (1) which wasn’t beaten far in a strong Class 3 at Ipswich when resuming. This trip is short of his optimum but he won his only start here and with Jim Orman can round them up late.
AIRSTRIKE (7) just missed in a Benchmark 65 here last start. She doesn’t win out of turn but has a fitness edge on most of these and will get a good run with Madeleine Wishart.
GOBLIN’ DE QUO (4) was never on the track when resuming at Ipswich. This trip suits and she has the speed to overcome the gate.
MISS COOTA (3) looked like a star early in her career but flopped last preparation and didn’t give a lot when resuming but was up against some very sharp ones including Metalart. With a run under her belt this will show where she is at.
Verdict: STAR GAMBLE (1) is the best horse.
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Plenty of speed here and time for ACTION KING (7) to deliver. He promised plenty at his first preparation and wasn’t disgraced when run down in a strong Benchmark 65 when resuming. This trip suits and with Jim Orman there will be no excuses.
One win in 23 starts says it all about SOOBLOND (13) but she rarely runs poorly and won a recent trial over this trip. A good gate helps and with Nikita Beriman will be prominent for a long way.
LUVARCHIE (4) showed promise at his first preparation winning and not missing the top four in six outings. With two trials under his belt he will be ready to go and has the speed to overcome the draw.
FLEUR DE VIE (11) is bred for longer but her best efforts come over the shorter trips and she was only run down late in this class here over 1200m last start. This journey is right up her alley and Jake Bayliss will send her forward from the wide gate.
Verdict: ACTION KING (7) to get it done.
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Race 4: Two-Year-Old Handicap 1000m
There was a lot to like about FITZPATRICK (1)‘s dominant win here on the poly four weeks ago. If he translates that to turf with Craig Williams steering he will be too good again.
The old firm of David Vandyke and Ryan Maloney combine on Chrysaor’s brother REMLAP KAVA (8). He might like longer but has had three trials and now a gelding will get every chance from gate three.
TIGER TIE (2) went hard up front when resuming in a Group 2 and got the stitch. He will strip fitter here and has the speed to bother these.
JULIETA (5) led throughout to beat subsequent winner Miss Trustful on the Gold Coast poly. Out of a useful racemare and producer she can go on with it.
Verdict: I am with FITZPATRICK (1).
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Race 5: Class 3 Handicap 1600m
This bigger track will suit PASSIONATE REBEL (7) which is proven at the journey but just needs enough time to round them up. He is awkwardly drawn but can make his own luck and well-rated by Andrew Mallyon will run the trip better than any.
Only one win but 15 placings in 20 starts says it all about LOOSE UNIT (8) and he lived up to his record being picked off late over this trip last start. Nikita Beriman replaces the apprentice Cody Collis and she may find the key.
A CERTAIN MAYBE (10) wasn’t beaten far at Ipswich last start and won her Maiden here over this trip. She takes on stronger company but drops 2.5kg and won’t be far away In running.
VICTORY WIN (5) was slowly away and never on the track when resuming. He was a regular in Saturday grade last preparation and whilst yet to win beyond 1000m has a pedigree that suggests this is his trip. With Ryan Maloney we will find out.
Verdict: PASSIONATE REBEL (7) has been crying out for a big track.
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Race 6: Benchmark 65 Handicap 1200m
Natalie McCall’s horses go best here and LIBERTY STEPS (7) is having his first outing on home ground since joining the stable. He has been racing consistently in Saturday grade and was never on the track last start at Ipswich. Ryan Maloney replaces Damien Thornton and won’t make any mistakes.
CRAZY BRAVE (5) is resuming, has a good first up record and has won here previously. With Jim Orman he will get every chance.
READY TO BOOM (15) was ridden back and disappointed here last start. Ron Stewart replaces the apprentice Emily Lang and from gate one a more positive ride is expected.
THUNDER MANIA (12) went a long time between drinks but won at Warwick two starts back and followed up with a good effort at Kilcoy. Getting back on home turf suits and Vlad Duric will have him handy throughout,
Verdict: LIBERTY STEPS (7) gets his chance.
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Race 7: Class 1 Handicap 1400m
Class is with ACID WASH (1) is fitter for two outings and brings strong Victorian form. He had trouble getting clear at Doomben last start but on this bigger track with Craig Williams will be rounding them up late.
MALARINA (9) had support when resuming and ran on from well back to be narrowly beaten. She will strip fitter and Jag Guthmann-Chester can make amends
RICH AGAIN (7) won his maiden here last preparation and was held up last start but finished on MALARINA (9)’s heels. He drops 1.5kg, has been primed by two outings and will hit the line for Kyle Wilson-Taylor.
ASHFALL (3) has had a change of stables and been gelded. A well-bred type, his NSW form is good enough for this and his only win was at this trip.
Verdict: ACID WASH (1) better than these.
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Race 8: Provincial Stayers Heat Benchmark 75 Handicap 2200m
Some handy ones here looking to qualify for the final. ALMAIRAC (7) is a promising one that couldn’t quite get the job done on the tight track at Ipswich. This will be much more his thing and over a longer trip he will be hard to beat
Blinkers go back on DISPUTED RIVER (3) which was never in it when first-up from a freshen-up at Doomben. His previous form in Saturday grade was strong, he makes his own luck and this trip is right up his alley
ENTERPRISE LASSIE (9) rarely runs poorly and loves this track. From gate one Robbie Dolan can set the tempo and be hard to pass.
ALA MOANA (14) is a promising filly bringing Victorian form. She bolted in over this trip last start at Bendigo and with only 54kg will be in the box seat throughout.
Verdict: ALMAIRAC (7) to frank his potential.