The Sunshine Coast will play host to a strong eight race card on Saturday, highlighted by the Listed Queensland Cup (3200m), which has attracted a small field of only nine contestants.
Talented fields have been confirmed for all eight races, however we have analysed every runner in detail to devise our list of 2015 Queensland Cup Day best bets.
Race 3 No. 6 Avalanches
Avalaches has steadily built to the task over three starts this time in, and carries winning form into Saturday’s Troy Trevitt Homes Handicap (1600m) after poking clear to take out the Optus Business Direct Ipswich BM85 (1666m) on June 13th. Transferring to the care of Trevor Bailey after beginning his career under Peter Snowden at Darley, the Street Cry gelding finished outside the first three only three times in ten starts through spring and summer, amongst company very similar to that confirmed for Race 3 on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday. In-form hoop Ryan Wiggins will take the ride on the four-year-old, has will carry on 54kgs.
Race 4 No. 5 Rock Royalty
The Liam Birchley-trained Rock Royalty has returned to racing in typically competitive form this time, has been charged with carrying only 54kgs and carries winning form into the Campaign Group Handicap (1200m) on Saturday. Posting six wins and a further give minors through sixteen career starts, the Elusive City gelding returned this time for second in the Enjoy Heineken Plate (1000m) on March 4th; taking out the Mount Franklin Handicap (1200m) on April 18th and continuing to impress on his way to success in the Ipswich Dash (1100m) last time out on June 13th. Sure to have no issue finding good running position from barrier 6, Rock Royalty has been confirmed to be partnered by Tim Bell.
Race 6 No. 2 Major Major
Major Major is yet to find consistent form this time in, but will appreciate a step back in class and step up in distance in the Queensland Cup from a last-start sixth in the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup (2400m) on the Gold Coast. Fifth placegetter in the 2014 edition of the Queensland Cup, Major Major finished fourth in a Kembla Grange minor over 1600m on April 18th; taking out both the HMAS Sydney BM75 (2400m) and Pro-Ride BM70 (2400m) in his next two starts before a luckless run for seventh in the Listed McKell Cup (2400m) on May 23rd.