Sunshine Coast race-by-race preview and tips for Sunday

The horses for courses principle also applies to trainers and jockeys and that’s the basis for some of my thoughts on Sunday’s meeting at the Sunshine Coast.

Racing action at the Sunshine Coast. Photo: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography.

The horses for courses principle also applies to trainers and jockeys and that’s the basis for some of my thoughts on Sunday’s meeting at the Sunshine Coast.

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BEST BET:

CURRY LEGEND (Race 8 No 8)

NEXT BEST:

GIFTED GAMER (Race 3 No 2)

VALUE BET:

KARAOKE AL (Race 6 No 5)

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Quaddie numbers are:

Race 5 – 2,3,4,5

Race 6 – 1,4,5,7

Race 7 – 1,3,8

Race 8 – 7,8

$96 = 100 per cent of the dividend

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Race 1 – 3YO C&G Maiden Handicap (1200m)

STARWARD (6) has benefited from two outings since resuming placing here last start over this trip. His dam had speed and bred for this journey he gets all the favours with Nikita Beriman.

BILLY BOOM (3) looked sharp at a recent trial. Darryl Hansen knows how to get them ready, a tongue-tie goes on and Justin Stanley will have him near the speed for a long way.

Tony Gollan has taken his time with The Autumn Sun gelding LIVALITTLE (1) but he showed improvement at a recent trial. Out of a tough racemare that won over 1600m he may want longer but on the big track will get his opportunity with Angela Jones.

CLAW MACHINE (4) was unwanted in the market and beaten a long way when resuming. He has speed and with natural improvement, Andrew Mallyon can take advantage of the draw.

Verdict – Watch market but STARWARD (6) gets his chance.

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Race 2 – 3YO F Maiden Handicap (1200m)

FROTHSAY (5) came from a wide gate and was beaten less than a length on debut. Out of a tough racemare which won eight times up to 1650m she is better drawn here and with Michael Rodd will test them late.

Blinkers come off WYNETTE (4) which has had her chances but has placed at five of six starts and wasn’t helped by a wide gate last outing. Cejay Graham stays on and back to her own sex over a suitable trip there will be no excuses.

BARBIELAND (1) is now with Stuart Kendrick after being sold online after not having had a trial but has jumped out. By Extreme Choice out of a Snitzel mare she has a pedigree, blinkers go on and from a good gate Ryan Maloney will give her every opportunity.

LOVE ALPHA (2) hasn’t shown a lot at her trials but is out of a good producer and can hit the line for Tiff Brooker.

Verdict – WYNETTE (4) is overdue but I’m with FROTHSAY (5).

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Race 3 – 3YO & 4YO Benchmark 65 Handicap (1600m)

Now having his third start for Jack Bruce this looks ideal for GIFTED GAMER (2) which just missed to TYPHOON TIP (4) at Warwick and meets her 4kg better with Corey Sutherland’s 3kg claim. The extra distance on a big track suits and he will be hard to beat.

A nose roll goes on EXPRESS PAYMENT (1) which has been racing consistently. Jace McMurray’s 2kg claim helps, he makes his own luck and will be hard to pass.

Enhanced QTIS prizemoney makes this an attractive race for TYPHOON TIP (4) which backs up quickly after a moderate effort at Beaudesert when unwanted in the market. She is poorly weighted against GIFTED GAMER (2) but goes forward and will be prominent for Nikita Beriman.

LIKE SMOKE (5) ran a handy one in Galifanakas close last start at his first attempt over this journey. Michael Rodd gets back on, he drops in Benchmark and a repeat effort has him in the finish.

Verdict – GIFTED GAMER (2) the one.

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Race 4 – Maiden Handicap (1400m)

Blinkers come off DEEP DAWN (9) which has been trying for a while and has placed at three of four outings since a change of stables She steps up in journey but makes her own luck and will get every chance with Cejay Graham.

DESERT LEGEND (10) is yet to place in seven outings but hasn’t been beaten far at his past two starts here. This extra distance suits, winkers come off and Nikita Beriman can round them up.

ZOULAR (4) disappointed at Ipswich but returns to his home track and a repeat of his effort at the Gold Coast two starts back is good enough for this.

TAKIN’HELL (6) is a four-year-old Hellbent entire which hasn’t shown a lot but won a recent trial. The full-brother is a five-time winner which also remained a Maiden until he turned four. All the gear goes on with a lugging bit, winkers and a crossover noseband. This race is weak enough for history to repeat.

Verdict – DEEP DAWN (9) won’t find an easier one.

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Race 5 – Benchmark 65 Handicap (2200m)

UP AND COMER (5) led and was only run down late in similar grade here last start. He drops 1kg and with Jag Guthmann-Chester replacing Kyle Wilson-Taylor will be hard to run down again.

SACRED BULL (3) steps up in trip after finding the talented Divakara too good last start but beat the rest. A 2kg claim for Jace McMurray helps and he won’t be far away in running.

LIKEABEEL (2) mixes his form but saves his best for here. A three-time winner at the trip, back-to-back is a stretch but if he gets the right tempo Robbie Dolan will be rounding them up late.

PLEADEEL (4) is another that doesn’t win out of turn but hit the line strongly at Eagle Farm. Tahlia Fenlon stays on and will be winding her up late.

Verdict – UP AND COMER (5) to control the race.

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Race 6 – Class 2 Handicap (1400m)

KARAOKE AL (5) ran on from well back here when resuming. Both wins have been here, he has won second-up previously, draws to do no work and with a positive ride from Micheal Hellyer can get it done.

ROTHESAY’S LAD (1) shows promise and toughed it out to win when resuming. He is up in class, weight and distance but may have more upside than the rest.

MOONFLEET (7) disappointed last start but showed promise at her first preparation. A good gate helps and she will get a positive ride from Nikita Beriman.

SAVANNAH GANGSTER (4) is another that showed promise at his first preparation. He may want longer but has been readied by jumpouts and Stuart Kendrick is leading trainer here for a reason.

Verdict – KARAOKE AL (5) finds a winnable race.

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Race 7 – F & M Benchmark 58 Handicap 1000m

One with upside is LOKEN (8) which has changed stables after showing promise at her first preparation. Her recent trial was sound, the crossover noseband comes off and from gate one with Corey Sutherland’s 3kg claim will get all the favours.

JENCHICK BOOM (3) had veterinary excuses when resuming at Toowoomba and hasn’t been helped by the barrier gods. She has speed, her form last preparation was better than this grade and Angela Jones can overcome the gate.

MAKE IT SO (1) gives them all weight but was dominant in similar grade at the Gold Coast and has trialled since. She is drawn awkwardly but will be prominent for a long way

BEITSOO (5) has been racing in 800m flutters placing at both outings since resuming. She has a win over 1100m earlier in her career and with Colleen Krahnen’s 3kg can give a sight.

Verdict – LOKEN (8) for me.

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Race 8 – C, G & E Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m)

Darryl Hansen has found the right race for CURRY LEGEND (8) which was run down late here in a Class 3 last start and will find this easier. He doesn’t win out of turn but this is his trip, he gets a 2kg claim for Montana Philpot and from gate two there will be no excuses.

ZUETORO (7) brings Southern form and has had a change of stables. All the gear comes off, both his trials have been sharp and with Jace McMurray’s 2kg claim will be prominent.

MR POLAR (12) has been around for a long time but he knows how to win and with 3kg claimer Brodie Moffat will be up the front for a long way.

GOLD FEVER (4) took a long time to win his Maiden but rarely runs poorly and with Nikita Beriman will be motoring late.

Verdict – CURRY LEGEND (8) is well placed.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast race-by-race preview and tips for Sunday