OPEN HANDICAP
RACE 7 - 1400m

SLIPPIN' JIMMY / BULLION BOY / QUEEN AIR

David Vandyke has executed a fine job with the PARIAH gelding SLIPPIN JIMMY, evenly spacing his races to find a successful formula. The four-year-old won two in May 2024 at Kilcoy and and the Sunny, then repeated with dual victories at Grafton and Coffs. Returned in January to win the MM Country Cup over 1200m at the Goldie and spelled until June. Had a good trail but couldn't quicken when 4th resuming at Ipswich, before a much better effort when 2nd at McKay over 1300m, before powering up to win brilliantly over 1350m at Doomben. Seems to be a fair bit of potential there and sitting down on 50.5kg we're willing to say he can take it out again.

BULLION BOY has the the ability to win this for Lyndsay Gough with Georgie Cartwright aboard on only 52kg. 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. 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. Has trialled up once and even though short of her best, a big run late wouldn't surprise with a sweet trip.

BENCHMARK 90 HANDICAP
RACE 2 - 2200m

THE RIGHT WAY / BARAZIN / TAPILDOODLEDOO

The South Island sire GHIBELLINES produces fine stayers, and THE RIGHT WAY is another nice example. This will be the geldings 31st run in a pretty fine QLD career where the Greg Wright stable have worked hard to place the horse in the most suitable races. An ultra consistent type, THE RIGHT WAY won at the Sunny over 2200m, then again over 2500m in BM78 at Ipswich. Weakened away in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) but much better when 3rd coming back to 1815m at Eagle Farm. Dominant winning over 2000m at Doomben last time out and good enough to repeat. Poor track record though worth considering.

BARAZIN has been running well the last couple for Kris Lee and the stable look to have the SIYOUNI gelding in particularly good shape. Won here over 1800m here at Eagle Farm in February, then 5th down in Sydney when running on before a rest. Slow away at Ipswich and Doomben, then came back from a freshen up to get up late on the line with a nice Mallyon ride to win the the Ken Howard Cup (2000m) at Coffs Harbour. Came back here with a sound effort for 4th over 1835m, but this trip may suit better as he likes to burn into a race gradually with a sustained run.

The Ben Thompson trained TAPILDOODLEDOO doesn't often win out of form, but we love to throw PROISIR gelding into the mix as a strong type who can feature with the right run. Last won at the Sunshine Coast 12 months ago over 2200m and did nothing until a 3rd here at Doomben in February after scoring the box seat. Couldn't quite finish it off in the next two before a fine 2nd over 2212m at Doomben after being locked away on the fence. Few runs back from a break and fitness wise should be nearing something more positive. Tricky gate but can settle into stride well and could be the one to surprise with some give in the track. Good for 3rd last start.


BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP
RACE 6 - 1200m

GIVE GIGGLES / EMPEROR / TOWN CRIER

The Gollan-trained GIVE GIGGLES is in tremendous form and can go on with it here. The WAR DECREE mare has been dominant on this course, winning fresh over 1200m in early July, then faced the breeze and gave all when 3rd to BULLION BOY and CASPERNOVA. Bounced back to prove victorious in the F&M 1200m event, getting to the leader at the 200m and keeping on to the line. Drawn to put in another fine sprint run and sure to be right there on the as the post draws closer. Not here for shits and giggles that's for sure.

A son of I AM INVINCIBLE, the fine sprinter, EMPEROR indicates a strong aptitude for the 1200m trip, with a number of winning endeavours. Ok when 4th resuming at Ipswich, then ridden quiet before launching wide to win over 1110m at Doomben. Loomed up four wide before joining in at the 200m and gaining the bob right on the line at Grafton over 1175m. Has looked incredibly talented at times, as his dam JOLIE BAY (Fastnet Rock) is also the mother of the exceptional Sydney G1 sprinter, JOLIESTAR (Zoustar). With the tempo to suit he may well require another soft steer bug could be the one running home hard again. These odds seem a little mad.

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.

CLASS 6 HANDICAP
RACE 5 - 1600m

CUMMUNALLA FELLA / FREE CARRY / LAST CHANCE SALOON

Robert Heathcote trains this nice 4yo CUNNAMULLA FELLA who goes particularly well at Doomben despite an average first up record. Nice fresh up run when running second last start. 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. Third in a jumpout at Doomben, then went on to win over the mile here with a sound performance. Potentially ready to carry on with it and this distance may suit if able to score some cover and come on hard with one last crack at them.

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.

LAST CHANCE SALOON is shooting for three-in-a-row and if he can draw those guns in the straight then another top run is possible. Really fired up once changing from David Vandyke to the Corey Grean stable at Toowoomba, finishing 3rd there over 1200m before sweeping around them five wide to take out a BM70 1300m event. Came three wide in the next on the course and shot clear at the 200m, however comes to town looking for a metro win and it won't be as simple.


CLASS 4 HANDICAP
RACE 9 - 1200m

OUROBOROS / CASPERNOVA / RUNWITHTHETIDE

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.

CASPERNOVA is talented type who just can't seem to knock one off but has been running very well. The Heathcote trained SPIRIT OF BOOM gelding finished 2nd at Doomben, the Sunny and Eagle Farm before the weights worked against him returning there. Checked when avoiding heels up to 1400m last start and not going quick enough to threaten FREE CARRY or SULTRY SIREN down the straight. Deserves a turn of luck and with a positive ride we could see a much stronger performance. Can make it a close-run thing from this gate.

Average draw, however, RUNWITHTHETIDE is a good sprinter on his day and just the type to cause an upset if he can overcome this wide gate. The five-year-old HEADWATER gelding won well at Doomben over 1200m in July despite the jockey dropping the whip, then held together but couldn't finish it off when 4th after going forward early in the next. No go last time with 60kg and will probably need to press forward coming back in trip. Rough chance but has some ability when he puts his mind to it. Not completely out of it and could run TOP4.