Caloundra Cup Day at the Sunshine Coast brings the Queensland Racing Carnival to a close on Saturday, and punters have a strong nine-race card to sink their teeth into.
The Group 3 Winx Guineas, the Listed Caloundra Cup, and the Listed Glasshouse Handicap headline the meeting, making this one last serious winter carnival betting puzzle before the focus moves elsewhere. Track conditions will be front and centre, with the surface currently rated a Heavy 8, although fine weather in the lead-up should give it every chance to improve before race day. Late showers are still possible on Saturday, so keeping an eye on track updates will be vital.
With the rail in the true position, every runner should get its chance if the track plays fairly. That said, the first few races may tell us plenty. If the inside starts to chop out, jockeys could look to edge wider and find the crown of the track, so race pattern and lane assessment will be crucial as the day develops. It is a fitting carnival finale, with staying depth, sprinting quality, and testing conditions all combining for a competitive Sunshine Coast program.
I’m siding with TORNADO EXPRESS (16), who should be ready to peak now after spending over a year in the paddock.
The Brent Gray-trained mare took a clear step forward last start over this distance at Doomben, producing the quickest final 600m of the race when finishing 1.92 lengths third.
Her only previous fourth-up run resulted in a 4.44 length win at Tamworth, which is a handy little pointer here.
From the low draw, Sean Cormack should be able to press forward and put her into a prominent spot.
| 16. Tornado Express (2) J: Sean Cormack 57kg 5×683T: Brent Gray | |||
| At the latest run 3rd of 7 at Doomben Bm70 on June 17 over 1200m, slow going 2 len behind Nepravda carrying 57kg at $11. Before that 8th of 10 at Doomben Bm65 on June 3 over 1110m, 4 len behind Excenia carrying 57.5kg at $18. Has ability and is among the leading hopes. | |||
ARABIAN ROSE (5) can bounce back after failing to handle the heavy track in the Listed Hinkler Handicap last start, where she finished 2.28 lengths seventh.
The James Healy-trained mare was much better the run before, resuming over 1200m at Doomben with a fast-finishing 1.61 length victory.
Back to her home track is a big tick, given she has won three from four starts over this course and distance.
There should be enough pressure on up front for Michael Rodd to settle off them and let her rip in the straight.
| 5. Arabian Rose (8) J: Michael Rodd 58kg 34×17T: James Healy | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up won by 1.5 len at Doomben Cl6 May 23 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Now Is The Hour carrying 52kg at $9. Second-up 7th of 11 at Eagle Farm in the LR Hinkler on June 13 over 1200m, on a wet track; 2.25 len behind Midnight In Tokyo carrying 53kg at $9.50. Profiles nicely. Willing to forgive the last run – can atone in this company. | |||
TENGUN TOMMY (4) made an immediate impression for Tony Gollan when resuming over 1110m at Doomben with a strong win.
The son of Flying Artie drew wide and was forced to work, but he still dug in strongly to score by a half-length, putting 3.68 lengths back to third.
That form has already stacked up, with Cool Gent finishing fourth in that race before subsequently storming home to win the Listed Oxlade Stakes.
He should improve second-up and looks capable of stalking what shapes as a fierce speed.
| 4. Tengun Tommy (7) J: Ben Thompson 57kg 6×1T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Third race start. First start got back early 6th of 11 at Gold Coast Mm Debut 2yo SW on January 17 over 1000m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Toorak Jewel with 57kg at $11. Went for a break before returning raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.6 len at Doomben 2yo Hcp June 3 over 1110m defeating Invincible Chase carrying 57.5kg at $2.70. Back in great shape and is likely to feature. | |||
HAND IN HAND (8) is the interesting runner, arriving as a French import having her first start for Tony Gollan.
The chestnut filly has not raced since November, when she bolted in to win her maiden at start number three by five lengths at Le Croise-Laroche.
She has been given two trials ahead of this first-up assignment and has shown good early speed before finishing close thirds in both.
From barrier 2, Daniel Moor gets his chance to drive forward and park her in a prominent position.
| 8. Hand In Hand (2) J: Daniel Moor 54kg 2x21xT: Tony Gollan | |||
| Resuming after a break of eight months. Finished off last campaign to post a big 5 len win. Le Croisé-Laroche 2yo Mdn Wfa November 3 over 1100m on heavy track defeating Luke The Nuke carrying 55kg at $2. Previously first up; second of 8 at Dax 2yo Cond Wfa October 5 over 1200m, soft track; 1.0 len behind Tinmander with 55kg. Impossible to line up but she is stakes placed so must be respected. | |||
WANDA ROX (14) resumes with a terrific first-up profile and will be out to protect a record of five wins from six fresh runs.
Now with Tony Gollan, the six-year-old mare has had two trials to tune up for this, and her first piece of work resulted in a win.
The front concussion plates come off for the first time, and she is very well treated under the set weight conditions with just 54kg.
Emily Lang has a good draw to work with and should be able to find the crown before unleashing late.
| 14. Wanda Rox (5) J: Emily Lang 54kg 1513xT: Tony Gollan | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four months. Finished off last preparation third of 9 at Gold Coast Hcp March 14 over 1000m, soft track; 1.3 len behind Scampi carrying 58.5kg at $7.50. When resuming last campaign ninth of 12 at Eagle Farm in the LR Bribie December 13 over 1000m, soft track; 2.5 len behind The Black Cloud carrying 56.5kg at $9.50. Gun fresh performer with five wins from six – seriosu threat. | |||
WRITTEN IN LAW (10) is on the quick back-up after making late ground to finish 3.26 lengths seventh in the Tatt’s Tiara.
The Bjorn Baker-trained filly looks well suited under the set weight conditions and reaches this assignment at peak fitness fourth-up.
The mile has not brought a win from four attempts, but she has been runner-up in three of those runs, including the Group 1 Flight Stakes and the Group 1 Champagne Stakes, where she missed by just a nose.
She has not won since the 2025 Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes, but this looks a suitable opportunity for her to finally break through.
| 10. Within The Law (11) J: Dylan Gibbons 55kg 5×327T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Last start 7th of 17 at Eagle Farm in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara on June 27 over 1400m, slow going 3.5 len behind Splash Back carrying 55.5kg at $8. Before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 13 at Eagle Farm in the G3 Gunsynd on June 13 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 3.5 len behind Skyhook with 55kg at $2.45. Beginning to test the patience but her best is definitely good enough. | |||
THEBUDGIESMUGLA (5) heads north in excellent order, having won two of his past three races.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding had plenty in hand last start when taking out the Listed Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Rosehill.
That result kept his 2400m record perfect, with four wins from as many starts over this distance.
The outside barrier makes things a little awkward, but Dylan Gibbons has plenty of time to slide across and find a handy position.
| 5. Thebudgiesmugla (15) J: Dylan Gibbons 54kg 05161T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| At the latest run favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.8 len at Rosehill LR Winter Cup June 13 over 2400m on a soft track defeating Black Run carrying 53kg at $2. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 18 at Rosehill in the LR Mayors Cup on May 30 over 2000m, on heavy track; 3.5 len behind Portland carrying 54kg at $9. Emerging stayer beautifully placed to build on his record. | |||
MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE (3) has been low flying this preparation with three wins from four starts.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding impressed last start when letting down powerfully to win the Listed Civic Stakes by 1.66 lengths.
This is his second visit to Queensland after dominating on speed three starts ago at Eagle Farm for a 2.11 length victory.
He’s undefeated in three starts over this distance and while he’s drawn a touch sticky, Dylan Gibbons can counter that by driving forward early.
| 3. Midnight Dynamite (13) J: Dylan Gibbons 57.5kg x1121T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Dual acceptor. Recent form sound. Most recently favourite; won by 1.75 len at Randwick LR Civic Stakes June 20 over 1400m in soft going defeating Whinchat carrying 54kg at $2.60. The start before that crossed from a wide gate to settle just off the pace but gave ground when 2nd of 14 at Randwick Bm94 on June 6 over 1300m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Cool Jakey carrying 59kg at $3.20. Rates highly. Progressive four-year-old who only needs to hold that Sydney form to be a huge presence. | |||
BENGAL DIAMOND (2) should relish the class drop after finishing 3.74 lengths behind Surfin’ Bird in the Magic Millions National Classic.
The Adam Campton-trained mare showed her toughness two starts ago when winning over this distance at Eagle Farm in the same class race as this.
There is also a neat fifth-up angle, as she won at the same stage of her last preparation over 1400m at Eagle Farm, where she defeated Silver Wedding by 1.06 lengths.
With winkers going on for the first time, Ben Thompson should be able to use the low draw to land in a prominent position.
| 2. Bengal Diamond (2) J: Ben Thompson 60kg x2310T: Adam Campton | |||
| Dual acceptor. Last start 10th of 15 at Eagle Farm Nat Clas Fm-Wfa on June 6 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Surfin’ Bird with 57kg at $13. The race before that won by a neck at Eagle Farm Bm85 May 30 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Sunset Dreaming with 57.5kg at $7. Capable of bouncing straight back to form. | |||
