Sunshine Coast Cup Day takes centre stage this Saturday and shapes as an ideal way to kick off the long weekend.
One of Queensland’s standout provincial meetings, the card is headlined by the feature Cup and backed up by a strong supporting program featuring a mix of reliable performers and progressive types on the way up.
The rail is in the true position and with a few showers forecast, the track is likely to play in the Soft range.
With conditions set and the form holding together well, it looks a meeting worth getting involved in.
STAR OF JAMAICA (1) was popular on debut over this trip at Eagle Farm following an encouraging trial win, but plenty went wrong.
The Chris and Corey Munce-trained colt missed the start badly before over-racing to sit outside the leader, which told late when he was run down to finish second, beaten just over two lengths.
He’s been given time to freshen up and returned with a tidy trial win leading into this.
From a good draw, Ryan Maloney should be able to have him much better positioned.
Selections: 1-5-3-6
| 1. Star Of Jamaica (3) J: Ryan Maloney 59kg 2T: Chris & Corey Munce |
ENTERPRISE PRIVATE (4) is flying and chasing a hat-trick of wins.
The Kris Lees-trained gelding caused an upset two runs back when storming home at Murwillumbah, then backed it up last start with a strong win over this trip at Doomben, letting down well to score by just over a length.
He’s fully fit, proven at the track and distance, and his only previous run here resulted in a dominant win by more than four lengths.
The 4kg rise is a consideration, but he still profiles well and maps to get a soft run.
Selections: 4-3-1-2
| 4. Enterprise Private (3) J: Daniel Moor 57kg 12911T: Kris Lees |
DIAMOND EPIC (5) found the line well last start at Eagle Farm but the 59.5kg pulled her down late and she finished 1.14 lengths fifth.
She capitalised on some excellent form around Esjay when breaking through for a strong win two starts ago.
The Renita Beaton-trained mare stormed home despite an unclear path to win over this course and distance by 1.81 lengths.
Given weight was a problem last start, Beaton has astutely booked 3kg claimer Jai Williams.
Selections: 5-9-4-11
| 5. Diamond Epic (2) J: Jai Williams 59.5kg 23215T: Renita Beaton |
SIRKEL (13) kicked off this preparation on a winning note over this distance at Doomben.
Jack Bruce then tried the So You Think mare over 1350m at Doomben and twice over 1400m here where she ran well to place on two occasions.
A drop back to this distance last start saw her return to the winner’s stall at Eagle Farm where she displayed a nice turn of foot to salute narrowly.
She strikes a similar race and will be aided by a decent speed.
Selections: 13-2-8-15
| 13. Sirkel (6) J: Robbie Dolan 58kg 14231T: Jack Bruce |
QUOTHQUAN (6) resumed in a stronger race over 1400m at Eagle Farm and hit the line well.
The John Dann-trained gelding settled back before finishing off solidly into fourth, beaten just over two lengths.
He’ll be better for the run and the rise to a mile looks ideal given he won second-up last preparation.
While this is his first run at the Sunshine Coast, the spacious circuit should suit his racing pattern.
Selections: 6-3-9-7
| 6. Quothquan (5) J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 57.5kg 341×4T: John Dann |
CARBONARA (5) has been in excellent form this preparation and is chasing three straight wins.
After stringing together a series of seconds, the Rob Heathcote-trained filly broke through at Ipswich with a dominant maiden win before heading to Eagle Farm and leading throughout to score again.
Vlad Duric retains the ride and from the inside draw, she should be able to take full advantage.
Selections: 5-10-7-9
| 5. Carbonara (1) J: Vlad Duric 56.5kg 22211T: Robert Heathcote |
ARABIAN ROSE (14) loves racing at her home track as clearly demonstrated by her record of four wins from five starts.
The James Healey-trained mare enters this race on the back of a slick win over 1200m here where she put them away easily for a 2.13 length victory.
She’ll strip fitter and won third-up last preparation by just over three lengths when taking on this course and distance for her one and only time.
Daniel Moor should be able to find a two or three-wide running line and get to the crown of the track.
Selections: 14-12-4-7
| 14. Arabian Rose (11) J: Daniel Moor 55kg 13×91T: James Healy |
ANEMACORE (6) went down narrowly last start but lost no admirers.
Settling well back from a wide draw in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes, the Shaun Dwyer-trained gelding charged home to finish third, beaten a length by Rockribbed, who he meets 4kg better here in the Sunshine Coast Cup field.
Prior to that, he recorded consecutive wins at Doomben and Eagle Farm.
He’s unbeaten at the Sunshine Coast, finishing in the quinella at all four runs here.
Selections: 6-1-11-14
| 6. Anemacore (3) J: Michael Rodd 54kg 2×113T: Shaun Dwyer |
HELL (4) delivered his best run last start since joining the Tony Gollan yard.
He mustered quickly to take up the lead at Eagle Farm and had plenty in reserve to score by over a length.
Things didn’t fall his way earlier in the prep when he couldn’t cross easily, but that looks less of an issue here.
With Jai Williams claiming 3kg, he should be able to roll forward and prove hard to run down.
Selections: 4-14-9-16
| 4. Hell (10) J: Jai Williams 59kg 0x271T: Tony Gollan |
YOYO YEEZY (14) had no luck on debut, suffering from the thumps and poor recovery, but has gone on with it in impressive fashion since.
The Matt Hoysted-trained gelding has won three straight, including back-to-back victories over this course and distance.
He showed toughness last start after missing the kick slightly and sitting outside the leader before kicking again.
If he jumps cleanly and finds the front, he’ll be difficult to catch.
Selections: 14-3-7-8
| 14. Yoyo Yeezy (6) J: Damien Thornton 56.5kg 51×11T: Matthew Hoysted |