WINX GUINEAS G3

RACE 6 - 1600m

PLATINUM PANTHEON / WITHIN THE LAW / HILLIER

Last chance saloon for the Latta-trained PLATINUM PANTHEON continuing his Australian tour heading north to the Sunny Coast and the chestnut gelding really and truly deserves this win to wrap it up. Definitely more picturesque than Awapuni, starting off at the Gold Coast before a stunning late effort for 2nd from barrier (17) in the QLD Day Stakes and just missing in the Cooney at Ipswich two weeks ago. Landed a crap visitors draw once again so it doesn't get any easier, but with luck, maybe this time.

☆☆☆☆

Upon reviewing the replay of the Tatts Tiara during the week, the performance of WITHIN THE LAW was exceptional in defeat. Given the challenging track conditions, where coming wide from the rear to secure a victory was nearly impossible, her ability to close the gap on SPLASH BACK was remarkable. Should she be positioned favourably by Gibbons out of the gates with some cover, she is anticipated to perform exceptionally well. Good horse, quality trainer - goes close.

☆☆☆

HILLIER went wide and strided out and did well to win fresh up over 1200m at Gosford before racing too keenly in the Fred Best and burnt himself out going far too hard early. Trapped three wide in the Cooney from an awkward gate and came very wide for 5th over the 1350m, doing reasonable work in the end, with the step up in trip potentially a good move for the ZOUSTAR gelding. Plenty of issues, but has serious ability and drawn for a sweet trip if Dolan can settle ahead of time.

☆☆

CALOUNDRA CUP (L)

RACE 7 - 2400m

THEBUDGIESMUGLA / POUNDING / SPEYCASTER

Rising staying talent THEBUDGIESMUGLA bypassed the Brizzy Cup in preference for a Listed QEII Cup at Rosehill, maintaining his perfect 2400-metre record in the process. Baker felt it would provide a better progression towards the Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast. Last year’s Caloundra feature was won by HALF YOURS before he went on to Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup success in the spring, and the stable feel Thebudgiesmugla is showing enough promise to entertain similarly lofty goals next season. In top shape and will prove hard to contain once again as the best on the day at the weights.

☆☆☆☆☆

We have supported POUNDING early in during the preparation phase, and he appears highly motivated to secure a victory for the Moody/Coleman stable. His performance in The Q22 demonstrated considerable effort; however, the race dynamics ultimately favoured the front-runner and eventual victor, ROYAL SUPREMACY. Hit the front and run down late by ASTERIX in the Tatts Cup (2400m) last start, so given his current form, the gelding presents a formidable challenge to his competitors.

☆☆☆

A few may well have been scared off by BUDGIE rocking up here, but we did tip out the roughie SPEYCASTER at massive odds in the Ipswich Cup and gelding did exceptionally well to finish into 4th place. Best bet would be on a Heavy track with some sound fitness now behind him and being by HIGHLAND REEL will probably stay longer than the mother-in-law. Odds are still crazy wild, so a huge risk but maybe TOP4 again.

☆☆

GLASSHOUSE HANDICAP (L)

RACE 8 - 1400m

CIFRADO / KING ZEPHYR / JOHN RAMBO

CIFRADO just can't score a trick, drawing wide in this and getting the door slammed in his face in the the Eye Liner at Ipswich going for a slim gap - and he was on. The Rex Lip trained ENCRYPTION five-year-old demonstrated a performance level that would have been competitive in the Stradbroke, a race he narrowly missed qualifying for due to a close second-place finish behind ABOUNDING in the BRC Sprint. His current form is exceptional, and we anticipate a powerful late surge, provided there isn't a significant track bias favouring inside runners.

☆☆☆☆

KING ZEPHYR really has to show up today and prove his class as he hits a critical juncture to assess his true capabilities and arguably should have secured victories in two of hid three most recent outings, which would have positioned him nicely for the Stradbroke. However, his performance has been significantly hampered by a poor racing strategy. At Sandown he found himself distanced from the lead, yet demonstrated a commendable closing effort. Should he be positioned within striking distance, we anticipate his final surge will prove decisive

☆☆☆

The money came late for JOHN RAMBO in the Eye Liner and the Gollan gelding did well to finish into 5th in rough and tumble contest that was awkward for many as he was never truly in the clear. Finished 2nd twice over 1400m at Eagle Farm earlier in the year before hooking out four wide to barrel home and win the Gold Jewel at the Gold Coast in March. Appears a big task again from the wide gate, but if they are finishing on frim the back them all three can feature.

☆☆

OPEN PLATE HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1000m

WANDA ROX / EPIC PROPORTIONS / KITTY FLASH

WANDA ROX presents as a compelling contender, demonstrating exceptional performance in this particular race. Previously under the tutelage of Lindsay Hatch, she has since transitioned to Tony Gollan's stable. As a specialist over 1000m, this distance appears highly suitable, and her recent trial performances leading up to this return have been notably sharp, generating considerable anticipation for her upcoming run.

☆☆☆☆

We definitely like EPIC PROPORTIONS as a tough type who can manage big weights, although forget the last run in December as he was slow to recover after suffering the thumps. That was the first run back since winning at Doomben in November following a victory there over 1200m and the Maher-trained gelding loves coming up here to Queensland. Fresh up the go for sure.

☆☆☆

The slick little Kiwi KITTY FLASH had drawn a shocker here but is an interesting runner who now finds herself with team Munce after performing well under Andrew Forsman. Fine efforts as a 3yo with multiple Group placings, with the last four runs in New Zealand all highly credible. Firmer the better would suit and she is a quick horse who can get into the finish with a clever ride.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1400m

SILVER WEDDING / OUROBOROS / NORTH POLE

SILVER WEDDING presents a favourable opportunity to conclude the meeting. Her prior performance as a dynamic first-place finisher, particularly after transitioning to Gai Waterhouse's training, demonstrated her ability to maintain pace and pursue effectively. Given her current fitness level and the increased distance to 1400m, we anticipate a strong showing.

☆☆☆☆

OUROBOROS has a tricky gate to overcome here but the HARRY ANGEL gelding from the Hoysted yard is a genuine type who was only ran down in the final stages at Ipswich at the latest. Hit the front and fought hard on the turn when only run down late in the final stages at Doomben. Won well at Eagle Farm over 1200m twice last spring so well capable of featuring.

☆☆☆

NORTH POLE from the Kelly Schweida stable has returned well by all accounts and the 3yo FARNAN gelding took over at the 250m to win well resuming over the 1200m at the Gold Coast. Won twice narrowly at Eagle Farm at the start of the year so has progressed nicely without too much pressure. Not the kindest barrier draw just as the other two but we are hopeful he can getting rolling along without burning up juice.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 1200m

ARABIAN ROSE / SHOT OF WHISKEY / BALANCE THE BOOKS

Should she not qualify for the Glasshouse, we anticipate ARABIAN ROSE will be a formidable contender in this race. She secured a significant victory in her initial outing before competing in the Hinkler three weeks prior. While she found herself somewhat out of position, her strong finish in defeat was commendable. We expect her to be at peak fitness, making her one of the most challenging competitors to overcome.

☆☆☆☆

SHOT OF WHISKEY performed quite admirably last start, demonstrating good speed and resilience after covering this distance at Ipswich. He positioned himself near the front and exerted significant effort, ultimately finishing fourth to Balance The Books. His racing style is commendable, and he appears to be in good form.

☆☆☆

Tony Gollan has big wraps on BALANCE THE BOOKS and his faith was rewarded with the CAPITALIST mare chiming in at the 100m at Ipswich proving just too good up on the pace. The prior three runs close up were very good and she will likely only go forward from the awkward draw and try to control all the terms. The money is on so hard to deny her potential.

☆☆