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Nine metropolitan races will be run and won at our final meeting of the 2023/24 season this Wednesday.
The rail returns to the true position and with perfect winter weather forecast, we will be racing on a good surface.
We’ve run the rule over every runner and provided our top selections in each race.
Race 1 - 12:00PM PRECINCT URBAN PLANNING QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
8 Mister Bianco
Mister Bianco will benefit from his excellent debut performance at Doomben over 1200m.
The Paul Shailer-trained son of Zousain settled back from an outside barrier before finding the line powerfully to finish a head second.
He clocked the quickest final 200m of the race which suggests the rise to 1350m here second-up will suit.
Ryan Maloney is a key booking for the gelding that will wear the famous Winx colours.
Selections: 8-5-6-1
Race 2 - 12:33PM THE LAWN SHED QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
14 Winning Edition
Winning Edition returned in good order over 1000m at Eagle Farm last start.
The Rob Heathcote-trained filly was held up but let down strongly late to finish 1.1 lengths third.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and given she registered the fastest final 600m of the race, the rise to 1200m will suit.
Cejay Graham should be able to settle in a prominent position with the lack of speed in the race.
Selections: 14-7-12-1
Race 3 - 1:08PM ROSE JENSEN KENT LAWYERS BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1666 METRES)
6 Condrieu
Condrieu didn’t have the best of luck when having her first start for Tony Gollan.
The daughter of Sebring was caught wide for the entirety of the 1600m Eagle Farm contest, but still found the line well to finish 1.5 lengths fourth.
The former John O’Shea mare brought solid New South Wales form to Queensland and was seven weeks between runs, so she’ll strip fitter here.
She’ll appreciate the slight drop in class and the decent tempo will aid her cause.
Selections: 6-1-4-5
Race 4 - 1:43PM BANK OF QUEENSLAND WINSTON GLADES BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1100 METRES)
2 Master Showman
Master Showman resumes here and is also having his first start for Stu Kendrick after previously racing in Sydney.
The Snitzel gelding is yet to win first-up, but he has competed in significantly stronger metropolitan Sydney races well so that form should hold up here.
He caught the eye in a recent 800m Sunshine Coast trial where he was over five lengths last (hard to get correct distance as he wasn’t in shot!) but rocketed home under his own steam to finish a nose second.
Cody Collis, who claims 3kg, has been riding well and can settle in a handy position behind what looks a solid speed.
Selections: 2-1-8-4
Race 5 - 2:18PM RDO EQUIPMENT BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1350 METRES)
4 Denied
Denied is on the quick back-up after finishing a close third over 1350m at Doomben last Wednesday.
The Jack Bruce-trained mare uncharacteristically didn’t lead and was inconvenienced in the straight but picked up strongly late.
Prior to that, she finished 1.5 lengths second at Doomben after winning three races in a row.
Regular rider Emily Lang, who claims 3kg, will go forward and give them something to catch.
Selections: 4-3-6-9
Race 6 - 2:53PM AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY TRADE COLLEGE QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (800 METRES)
3 Find Your Own
Find Your Own has been freshened after winning over this course and distance six weeks ago.
The Scott Morrisey-trained son of Headwater began well and found the fence to lead before dashing clear to easily win by 5.3 lengths.
Since then, he has had two trials at the Gold Coast where he has shown good speed to lead all the way and win both.
Michael Cahill has built a good association with the horse and should give him a nice run on speed.
Selections: 3-9-2-5
Race 7 - 3:28PM GRASON PARK Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)
5 Reggae Fire
Reggae Fire is having his first start in Queensland after previously racing in New South Wales and we know that this is a proven winning formula for Chris Waller.
The I Am Invincible gelding finished second at Newcastle first-up before having genuine excuses in his subsequent two races.
He should be close to peak fitness now and gets the services of top jockey Ryan Maloney.
If he gets a touch of luck from the potentially tricky gate, he should prove hard to hold out.
Selections: 5-3-12-10
Race 8 - 4:03PM IPSWICH PARTY HIRE QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1350 METRES)
13 Caspernova
Caspernova broke through in impressive fashion over 1200m here last start.
The Rob Heathcote-trained son of Spirit Of Boom raced wide before putting his rivals to the sword in the straight to win by 2.5 lengths and looked to have a lot more to give.
The form around him prior to that win was very good with a runner-up finish to Navyonthehighway as well as a second at Doomben which saw multiple subsequent winners come out of the race.
He’s at peak fitness now and draws to get a beautiful run for Cejay Graham.
Selections: 13-1-5-9
Race 9 - 4:38PM TAB BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1666 METRES)
5 Sunset Soiree
Sunset Soiree will appreciate the drop in distance and class after failing to run out the 2143m in the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown last start.
While she weakened late, the Caloundra Cup winner Miracle Of Love was less than two lengths in front of her, so the race produced solid form.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare was a winner over a mile at Eagle Farm three starts back when fighting strongly to win in a Benchmark 85 Handicap.
She’s not the greatest of beginners so the wide gate isn’t that much of a setback given she will be in the second half of the field anyway.
1 Unit – Sunset Soiree (5)
Selections: 5-9-10-15
Best Bets
Race 4 - Master Showman (2)
Race 5 – Denied (4)
Race 8 – Caspernova (13)
By Craig Sheppard
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