THE QUADDIE
RACE 5
– 3YO MAIDEN (1400m)
The Chris Waller-trained Gandiva hasn’t been far off the money at her three runs this campaign and gets her chance to break through for her Maiden win today. Gandiva is coming back in distance from a third over 1625m at Toowoomba last week and has shown enough early pace to overcome an awkward barrier. Picton has also drawn out and is also not far away from a win with two seconds at his past two starts at Doomben and the Gold Coast. Central America heads to the Coast for the first time after a fourth at Doomben and Firefox will need plenty of luck from a wide gate.
SELECTIONS:
11 Gandiva, 2 Picton, 9 Central America, 1 Firebox
RACE 6
– BM65 (1400m)
The Kingdom is fitter for one run back from a spell when fourth in a 1200m Gold Coast Class 2, is a winner second-up, is a winner over this track and distance and is one of the top chances in the BenchMark 65 Handicap. The Equalizer has finished just behind the placegetters at his past two starts at Grafton and the Gold Coast and is likely to be thereabouts again. Counter Meal has been racing well at the Gold Coast with two recent placings over the 1400m. Legal Counsel can mix up his form and can do better than his last-start ninth at Doomben.
SELECTIONS:
7 The Kingdom, 6 The Equalizer, 2 Counter Meal, 4 Legal Counsel
RACE 7
– CLASS 2 (1200m)
Makfi Amour is fitter for two runs back from a spell and is ready to find the winner’s stall coming off a third over the same course and distance as today. Mulwala Canal has a win and two placings from only three race starts and was spelled following a second in a 1350m BenchMark 65 at Doomben in June. The gelding has had two barrier trials in preparation for his return and expect a forward showing.
Invincore heads back to the Gold Coast following a win in a Grafton Class 1 and Sidekiss will be having his first run as a three-year-old after winning twice during his two-year-old season.
SELECTIONS:
9 Makfi Amour, 10 Mulwala Canal, 4 Invincore, 11 Sidekiss
RACE 8
– CLASS 1 (1800m)
Top Me Up Again has been consistent with two placings before scoring his Maiden win over 1666m at Ipswich. The five-year-old then finished second as favourite over the Gold Coast 1800m course and gets his chance today. Brando is a good chance coming off a third over 1845m at Eagle Farm on Melbourne Cup day and has drawn well. Finnferno was placed on three occasions, once at Ipswich and twice at the Sunshine Coast, before a short break and will get a cosy run from the inside gate. Heathrow is stepping up in class following her Maiden win at Beaudesert.
SELECTIONS:
1 Top Me Up Again, 3 Brando, 4 Finnerno, 5 Heathrow