WINX GUINEAS G3

RACE 6 - 1600m 3YO

BARBRAY / APUNTAR / MILLIE DE LUNE

The Waller-trained ZOUSTAR gelding BARBRAY only won his maiden in May, but he does look a highly determined 3yo who is well-bred and exudes potential. His dam SEMPRE LIBERA is by the stunning racemare MERLENE (Danehill), who won 5 from 6, including the G1 Sires Produce Stakes and G1 Golden Slipper in 1996. BARBRAY won over the mile at Goulburn, racing right away after settling at the rear. Franked that form at Canterbury Park, chasing hard over the concluding stages to arrive on the line. Dropped back at Randwick before running home well again to finish into 4th. Jumps with them and finds some clear air late then could get up here at a price.

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APUNTAR is a somewhat underrated gelding by THE MISSION who has been consistently strong this prep without winning one. Ridden along when 2nd at Doomben over 1350m and he kept trying his heart out right to the line. Had a good trail last outing in the Gr.3 GUNSYND CLASSIC, but couldn't finish it off over the mile. Nonetheless, record is very good and suitably fit enough to attack the 1600m with three weeks between runs. Trainer Kevin Kemp will bring the gelding north from Toowoomba hoping for a massive effort from his horse and a shot at Group glory.

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Trainer Matthew Smith has bought along his charge MILLIE DE LUNE with a certain amount of care since debuting 12 months ago as a two-year-old. Took a few runs to get going, however, this prep the PUISSANCE DE LUNE filly has matured into a much stronger girl. Scored a big win from last over 1500m on a very Heavy track at Newcastle, then couldn't find a way through at Scone and landed a placing at Canterbury Park. Nice strong effort when winning over 2000m at Randwick in June, before running on strongly, but set an impossible task going back to 1800m there. Looks a big ask, although she does seem to have a big engine under the hood and may threaten with some clear air late.

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CALOUDRA CUP (L)

RACE 8 - 2400m

BEAR ON THE LOOSE / DILLIAN / NIKAU SPUR

The imported gelding BEAR ON THE LOOSE arrived with a bang in Australia when winning at Rosehill just over 12 months ago. The Gai/Bott trained five-year-old then stepped up to middle distance in the spring, but found the Gr.3 Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) a bridge too far. Finished 2nd over the mile at Hawkesbury in April, before fighting on strongly behind GLORY DAZE over 2000m at Randwick in May. Following a strong performance, finishing second to SIR LUCAN in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) last outing, the horse's current conditioning suggests he is well-suited for the extended distance, which the stable anticipates he will excel at. Good test, but getting better each run.

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Willing to allow DILLIAN another chance after sitting three wide in the 3200m Brisbane Cup last start and weakening badly on a very hard, Good 3 surface. The Pete and Will Hubert trained CAMELOT gelding had been going very well, victorious at Doomben, then Eagle Farm over 2400m and looking every part a Melbourne Cup horse. Fully blocked at the 200m in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) and an easy forgive, however it might be preferable for him to follow in behind the leaders, and a Heavy track seems like a more suitable option.

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NIKAU SPUR is definitely the type to cause an upset and the PROISIR gelding is coming back from the challenge of 3200m in the Brisbane Cup last start. Came wide and improved to 5th behind CAMPALDINO over this trip at Eagle Farm and didn't score much luck in the Chairman's Hcp (2000m) at Doomben. Very good form over summer on Good tracks when winning at Newy and Eagle Farm. May be an eight-year old now, however well weighted and just needs a few things to fall his way to get into the scrap late in the race. Can run TOP4 on top of the ground - heavy a concern.

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GLASSHOUSE HANDICAP (L)

RACE 7 - 1400m

WARNIE / FAR TOO EASY / OUGHTON

The Ciaron Maher trained WARNIE appeared a royal chance in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes last start at Ipswich. Unfortunately the HIGHLAND REEL gelding was held up turning for home, then again at the 100m which killed any opportunity to run on. Wide and back in the Gr.2 Moreton Cup (1200m) before running on near the rail the run prior, and the team have him in the best possible condition. He simply requires some room to maneuvre in order to play a more prominent role. May be victorious this time, but it is imperative that WARNIE remain diligent, as the competition is equally formidable.

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Despite FAR TOO EASY halving the margin in the prestigious Gr.1 Stradbroke last outing at Eagle Farm, the ALL TOO HARD gelding was slow out and still last on the turn. Really stood no chance and easy to bypass that effort as a bum run. Much better when going forward in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint when 2nd behind the Strady victor, WAR MACHINE. Continued searching to the line, even though he was no match for the winner. Given the horse's resilience in the face of adversity, and considering David McColm's efforts, it would be wonderful if they could achieve victory in this preparation.

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OUGHTON proved just what champion little sprinter he is when taking out the Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich last start, and he rounded them up impressively to win in style. The gelding was rock solid in his time in Hong Kong before returning to Melissa Kelly's stables on the Gold Coast. The team seem to have created a great environment for him now, and a firm track is probably key for him to perform at his best again. Has the ability to run solid sectionals and could go very close if allowed his own way.

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PROVINCIAL SPRINTERS FINAL

RACE 2 - 1200m BM80

CASPERNOVA / KING YOSHI / ENTERPRISE LUCIA

The Heathcote trained CASPERNOVA is a ripper SPIRIT OF BOOM sprinter who can take care of this lot. The gelding is out of a FLYING SPUR mare in MATINEE and has proved he has speed to burn, winning 4 and runner up 4 times from 10 raceday starts. Won at Ipswich exactly 12 months ago, before 1200m wins at Eagle Farm twice and another at Doomben. Fractious last start and slow away which was costly, however still had the class to run home into 2nd over 1110m at Doomben. Likely to settle down close to the lead from the ace gate and just be too good for them this time.

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KING YOSHI has been flying of late for trainer Bill Healey, as the SUPIDO gelding bolted in at the Sunny over 1110m in May and can knock off some slick early splits. Repeated the dose on his home course a month ago, hitting the lead at the 75m with the result never in doubt. Looks the main threat to the fave, but he will really need to get on with the job and stretch the lead turning for home. Can run it close, however 2nd place looks the best result.

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Stuart Kendrick trains this developing DIVINE PROPHET mare ENTERPRISE LUCIA and we quite fancy her chances despite the wide draw. Solid win here two back over 1200m when hitting the lead at the 240m, drawing clear to win with some style. Couldn't finish it off when resented being trapped in between runners at Ipswich last start and probably would of preferred a softer track. Will need some luck, although she is another from a FLYING SPUR dam who can run much better this time in.

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DR SPILBURY HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1000m 3YO

COSMIC FIRE / GIN A TONIC / ADMITTED

The way in which COSMIC FIRE created his own luck to win the Listed QLD Day Stakes from a wide draw over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start, you'd have to give him a royal chance of repeating here. Dug deep after facing the breeze to win the Sunlight Consolation (1200m) up here in January, and the COSMIC FORCE gelding seems to hold little fear of his contemporaries. 4kg up in weight, but all quality and back in trip, so only needs to find a way through late once again.

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GIN A TONIC has been going great guns for Bevan Laming and wouldn't have to improve much to feature. Did well to win over 1200m at Doomben in May, then ran down the leaders over 1000m here at the Sunny in June to win in fine fashion. Hampered at the 70m at Doomben last start, but just missed and lost it in the enquiry room. Ace gate should aid, so only needs to track in behind the speed before opening up once turning in. Certainly has the ability to be winning this if lines them up effectively.

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The Bill Healey runner ADMITTED is worth keeping an eye on resuming fresh up, and being by the sire BRAZEN BEAU, he might be in with a shot here. The lightly raced three-year-old won on debut at two, then took on some top juveniles in the Darley Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington. Didn't run again until October last year when winning fresh up over 1000m at Kembla Grange with a strong return, then came back in March, running 2nd over 1000m at Warwick Farm. Poor recovery racing there in April, however could be ready to fly fresh up and the odds are enticing.

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KEVLACAT POWER BOATS PLATE

RACE 5 - 1000m

ZOUPERB / ALL THAT PIZZAZZ / HARDWARE LANE

These odds on ZOUPERB just seem ridiculous after the way in which the ZOUSTAR mare won last start over 1110m at Ipswich. Sure, she isn't always flawless, however stuck to her guns when runner up on the Gold Coast before scoring the perfect run and ride to burst through at the 50m at Ipswich. Draw is slightly awkward here, however only up 2kg on that latest effort and the mares record overall is pretty damn impressive. At $17 it would be foolish not to have her in the frame.

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Tony Gollan and SPIRIT OF BOOM geldings go hand in hand up in Queensland, and ALL THAT PIZZAZZ is another fine example of that successful combination. The five-year-old gelding has won 7 from 25, although he hasn't been victorious for a fair while and needs to bring his ‘A’ game to be winning this. Regardless, finished 3rd in the Listed Goldmarket (1110m) on the Goldie in January, then trapped wide when resuming at Doomben. Three months spell before a sound run fresh up in the Listed Lightning Hcp (1000m) a month ago and should be much sharper with work in-between. Drawn well, loves the trip - good bet.

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One at a price is the Smerdon trained HARDWARE LANE, who has always performed well up in QLD and has had two trials to prepare for a return. The SCISSOR KICK gelding has been mildly consistent the last couple of preps without being spectacular. Nevertheless, he has a good record here, having yet to finish out of the top two on the course, and goes very well at the trip and fresh up. If the stable have him forward enough and this track stays within the heavy range, then you would have to include in all multiples at these excellent odds.

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BEST BET: WARNIE

NEXT BEST: CASPERNOVA

BEST VALUE: BARBRAY

WILDCARD: ZOUPERB