OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1630m

CUMMUNALLA FELLA / BULLION BOY / QUEEN AIR

Robert Heathcote trains this nice 4yo CUNNAMULLA FELLA who goes particularly well at Doomben despite an average run at Eagle Farm last time. Won here over 1350m in June 2024, then over 1600m in July before 2nd place under a big weight, then another rock solid victory over the mile at the Sunny Coast. Went ok in his early 2025 campaign, although got too far back at times which cost him any chance of winning. Potentially ready to fire again and this distance may suit if able to score some cover and come on with one last crack at them.

☆☆☆☆

BULLION BOY has the the ability to win this for Lyndsay Gough with Georgie Cartwright aboard. The eight-year-old DREAM AHEAD gelding ducked and weaved, then took over in the shadows to win fresh up over 1200m at Eagle Farm, before sprinting home well against the bias to get very close to AMUR stepping up to 1400m on the same course. Returns here and profiles very well at the weights, distance and conditions after winning well last start. Drawn to give this a red hot go, but a pretty even field overall.

☆☆☆

The TORONADO mare QUEEN AIR has been going great guns since switching to the Tony Gollan barn over twelve months ago, running third on debut for the stable at Doomben, then winning with a really strong effort to the line over the mile at Eagle Farm. Restrained well back returning there over 2100m, but got going nicely with a clear run home to finish into 2nd. Resumed a month later in January to win the Gold Coast Mayor's Vase over 2050m, pulling away with a super keen staying run. Fair effort fresh up over 1400m at the Farm, however this trip will suit better 2nd-up.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1100m

PARTY FOR TWO / HURTS SO GOOD / NETTUNO

Tony Gollan took over the training of PARTY FOR TWO from Matt Hoysted in March and the SIDESTEP mare could return to her best within this resourceful stable. She was an excellent filly at two and three-years of age before finishing just in behind the leaders in Stakes grade on numerous occasions. Gave it plenty when 2nd to RECOMMENDATION in the Gr.3 Monash (1100m) at Caulfield before facing the breeze and giving all for 3rd in the Tatt's Classic (1200m) at Doomben. Won over 1000m at Eagle Farm at the latest and can go on with it.

☆☆☆☆

HURTS SO GOOD is a highly talented SO YOU THINK gelding who has won 7 from 18 and is set to resume. Nailed it twice at Eagle Farm over 1000m in April and has enjoyed an extended break while the tracks were wet. Appears to go much better on that Brisbane course over Doomben, but he is a good first up horse for Tony Gollan and has won here and finished 2nd in only three starts. Looks likely to settle handy from this gate and aim to press on hard from the turn. Top jockey on board, fair weight and cannot be overlooked based on his raw sprinting ability.

☆☆☆

NETTUNO was found wanting late at the Gold Coast after a three week let-up, and the I AM INVINCIBLE gelding may well have needed the hit out. An in and out type for Tony Gollan, the sprinter last won over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast a year ago, then was sound from last for 3rd in the Gr.3 The Heath 1100 at Caulfield. All but lost the rider returning to Eagle Farm in December, then four wide there with little to no chance. Held up in the MM sprint at the Goldie and hampered by a tardy start at Eagle Farm in April. Fell in over the line to win last start, so reached peak form.

☆☆

CLASS 6 PLATE

RACE 5 - 1200m

TOWN CRIER / OUROBOROS / SHALAILED

Second up the Matt Hoysted trained TOWN CRIER could be very hard to hold out, as his record here over the trip is sound. The SPIRIT OF BOOM gelding won at Doomben in February, then again at the Gold Coast over 1200m. Couldn't quicken resuming at Doomben in April but still managed a decent 3rd after changing ground at the 300m to secure clear room. Four wide when back in July and solid for 4th, but sure to strip much fitter here. The trainer has allowed for time between runs, but Jake Bayliss will need to get on with it to be a serious threat.

☆☆☆

The HARRY ANGEL gelding OUROBOROS was a consistent performer for the Price/Kent Jnr when starting out with the stable in Melbourne before transferring to Matt Hoysted in Brisbane. Won on debut for the new barn at Eagle Farm in March. Slipped away and was simply too good for them before winning there again over 1200m, only to be disqualified when Promazine Sulfoxide was detected in a post-race urine sample taken from the horse. The trainer was fined $4000, but his charge had since come out and won a 1050m jumpout at Deagon. Should be ready to go and good last start when 2nd at Doomben over 1200m.

☆☆☆☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1630m

FREE CARRY / OCEAN ZAR / DEEP FOCUS

FREE CARRY will jump a very short favourite here after a super tough victory over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start. Laid out a bit but took over with such confidence that a repeat effort is on thr cards. The Gollan-trained BON HOFFA gelding is out of a STREET CRY mare and really runs like he's bred to be a resilient sort. Won at Doomben and Ipswich in early 2025, then placed here over the mile in April. Two 1000m jump outs suggested the horse was up and working well, so expect the same effort with Emily Lang in the saddle.

☆☆☆☆

Some time for this ZOUSTAR mare OCEAN ZAR who has been improving in all three runs this prep. The Matt Hoysted trained mare hasn't won since April 2024 at Eagle Farm, but she hasn't been far off them in all runs this year. Outgunned for 2nd at Doomben in January, then resumed with a 4th at Eagle Farm and 5th at Doomben. Sound effort for 3rd over 1350m when inconvenienced at the 150m last start and should arrive in top shape. Good draw, well weighted and some give in the track ideal. Don't discount at this price.

☆☆☆

DEEP FOCUS is one run back from a break and the DEEP FIELD gelding has looked pretty good so far. Kicked off with a win at the Goldie on debut, then ran two second placings at Eagle Farm. Resumed with additional placings, with a tidy 2nd over 2000m at Doomben. Ran on evenly for 6th in the Gr 1 QLD Derby (2400m) in early June before a spell. Outpaced when slow away resuming over 1400m, but should go much better 2nd-up stepping up over the mile. May need more racing for Paul Shailer, although Michael Rodd is a fine senior hoop and in this.

☆☆

BEST BET: OUROBOROS

NEXT BEST: FREE CARRY

BEST VALUE: QUEEN AIR

WILDCARD: OCEAN ZAR