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 |
BALANCE THE BOOKS (6) was excellent last start at Ipswich when winning against the pattern of the day.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare didn’t have the easiest run in transit, racing wide and back, but let down powerfully from well back to easily salute by 1.64 lengths.
She had been a touch unlucky in her two previous races when placing.
Once again she has a tricky barrier, but Ben Thompson is in the irons and can expertly pilot us through any difficulty.
| 6. Balance The Books (11) J: Ben Thompson 57.5kg x4231T: Tony Gollan |
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 (5) J: Ben Thompson 57kg 6×1T: Tony Gollan |
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 |
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 (4) J: Emily Lang 54kg 1513xT: Tony Gollan |
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 (10) J: Dylan Gibbons 55kg 5×327T: Bjorn Baker |
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 (13) J: Dylan Gibbons 54kg 05161T: Bjorn Baker |
GERRINGONG (8) looks ready to peak on the quick back-up after a cracking third in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara, where she had excuses.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare began well but ended up shuffled back to midfield, then ran into traffic in the straight before charging home late to finish 2.21 lengths behind Splash Back.
That run backed up her excellent return in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes, where she was beaten a head first-up.
She should take further improvement into this, and her third-up profile reads well given she finished second to Manaal by less than a length in the Group 2 Golden Pendant the last time she reached that stage of a preparation.
From barrier 2, Dylan Gibbons should be able to give her the right run and every chance to cash in.
| 8. Gerringong (2) J: Dylan Gibbons 56.5kg 75×23T: Chris & Corey Munce |
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 |