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We return to the Sunshine Coast for another midweek meeting this Wednesday. Eight races are scheduled to be run and won on a likely Good track with the rail out 5m the entire course. We’ve run the rule over each race and provided our top selections below.
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Race 1 - 12:33PM: Maiden Handicap (1000 METRES)
Lantau Island (2) gave a good account of himself when debuting over this course and distance with a head third.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding led comfortably but switched off in the straight before coming again once headed by the eventual winner Integrity Lane.
The addition of blinkers for the first time will help with keeping his mind on the job.
Jimmy Orman will go forward and with improved fitness could take some catching.
1 Unit – Lantau Island (2)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 1
Race 2 - 1:08PM: Maiden Plate (1600 METRES)
Free As The Wind (11) returned in good order over 1350m at Doomben last start.
The Chris Waller-trained mare worked to the line nicely to finish 2.1 lengths fourth suggesting that the rise to 1600m here will suit.
She'll strip fitter second-up and went across the line with Betathaneva who has since run well for second but draws poorly here.
She maps to get a nice run for Michael Rodd.
1 Unit – Free As The Wind (11)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 2
Race 3 - 1:43PM: Class 1 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Notacluehoworwho (2) found 1800m a stretch beyond him and will appreciate dropping back to the mile.
The Jack Duncan-trained grey gelding went within a whisker of winning his first two races this preparation before giving a good account of himself two starts back in a Saturday Class 3 Plate over 1615m when finishing 3.9 lengths fifth.
All four races this preparation have been in significantly stronger class races, so he looks incredibly well placed back in a Class 1 Handicap.
Nikita Beriman can settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Notacluehoworwho (2)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 3
Race 4 - 2:18PM: BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (2200 METRES)
Spray Gun (1) worked home strongly to finish 1.8 lengths third to the flying Zaphod over 1800m here last start.
The Mark Currie-trained gelding won three in a row before that, so he's racing in extremely good form.
He takes on this distance for the first time but given he was strong through the line over 1800m and is sired by Melbourne Cup winner Lucas Cranach, he should handle it well.
The use of Cody Collis' 3kg claim is astute and the gun apprentice should go forward in a race with limited speed.
2 Units – Spray Gun (1)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 4
Race 5 - 2:53PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Climactic (2) was a well-supported favourite when resuming in a Saturday Open 3YO Handicap at Doomben.
The Matt Dunn-trained son of Yes Yes Yes enjoyed a nice run but got a touch lost early in the straight, but to his credit he picked up strongly late to finish 2.5 lengths third to Moulin Miss.
That was just his second start after finishing fourth in the Inglis Golden Gift on debut so he has plenty of upside.
He'll appreciate the rise in distance and the drop back to a maiden.
2 Units – Climactic (2)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 5
Race 6 - 3:28PM: Class 3 Plate (1200 METRES)
This is a quality Class 3 Plate for a midweek meeting with numerous winning chances and it will pay to follow some of these horses going forward.
I'm going with the Matt Dunn-trained Tribeca Star (6) who resumes here on the back of two very nice trials.
The son of Star Turn raced in outstanding form last preparation with wins in the Grafton Country Championships qualifier and a Highway Handicap as well as placings in stronger races than this.
He gets in well under the set weight conditions of the race and should enjoy a nice run for Jimmy Orman.
1 Unit – Tribeca Star (6)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 6
Race 7 - 4:03PM: Fillies & Mares BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Allow Me (4) has been racing in great form this preparation.
The Taylah Mackinnon-trained mare opened her campaign with a win here over 1000m before competing well in Saturday Open 3YO races.
She turned in an impressive performance last start when storming home from the back over 1300m here to finish a half-length second in a Saturday 0MW.
The rise in distance suits and Bailey Wheeler's 1.5kg claim helps.
1 Unit – Allow Me (4)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 7
Race 8 - 4:38PM: Colts, Geldings & Entires BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Turbulent (10) can be forgiven for his last start seventh over 1200m at this track after racing wide throughout.
The Sam Strazzieri-trained gelding was excellent first-up when after being help up, he savaged the line to win by a neck.
He showed good ability in New South Wales so I'm expecting him to bounce back here third-up with increased fitness.
There looks to be good speed in the race which will help him get to the line strongly.
1 Unit Each Way – Turbulent (10)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 8
