The Gold Coast Turf Club will host their annual Pink Ribbon Raceday this Saturday at Aquis Park.
Nine races are scheduled to be run and won with the Pink Ribbon Cup over 1200m for fillies and mares the highlight.
This is the 17th year that this race day has held to raise much needed funds and awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
I’ve donned my finest pink suit and attacked the form with gusto to help you find a winner on the day.
Race 1 - 11:58AM AEST
BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (1800 METRES)
Yet He Moves (7) has loved the move to Chris Waller’s Queensland stable.
The son of Adelaide has won two of his five starts in Brisbane and was unlucky not to win last start over 2040m at Doomben.
He endured a torrid, three-wide run that day before Ryan Maloney elected to drive forward in the back straight to lead and to his credit, he fought bravely only to be run down late by Fleur Du Monde.
He meets that horse 1.5kg better at the weights and is drawn to get a much better run here for Jimmy Orman.
1 Unit – Yet He Moves (7)
Race 2 - 12:33PM AEST
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1700 METRES)
Hyde (1) improved second-up when rising to a mile at Doomben last start.
The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding didn’t do a lot over the unsuitable 1200m first-up but let down nicely second-up to finish just under a length third to Victory Win.
He’ll appreciate the rise to 1800m given it’s a distance he’s undefeated in two starts over.
It’s also a plus that he’s won both his previous starts at the Gold Coast as the track doesn’t suit all horses.
Dan McGillivray’s 3kg claim comes in very handy and he should give his mount an economical run from the inside barrier.
1 Unit – Hyde (1)
Race 3 - 1:08PM AEST
BENCHMARK 75 Handicap (2200 METRES)
I Am The Empire (7) ventures north after finishing in the placings in his past two Sydney races.
The Neasham & Archibald-trained six-year-old looked the winner over this distance at Warwick Farm two starts back but was nailed on the line to finish a head second.
He was a month between runs last start when finishing third by 3.3 lengths over 2000m at Randwick so will strip fitter here.
He’ll appreciate the drop in class and should enjoy the run of the race from barrier 1 for Jag Guthmann-Chester.
1 Unit – I Am The Empire (7)
Race 4 - 1:43PM AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)
The scratching of Perspiration places this race at the mercy of Mishani Lily (1).
The Donna Stanbridge-trained filly was pressured in front when resuming last start over 1110m at Doomben but had too much class for her rivals and pulled away late to win by 1.8 lengths.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and while she is yet to tick the 1200m box, she did finish a close third in the QTIS Jewel race over this course and distance in March.
Emily Lang, who claims an important 3kg, will use the inside barrier to advantage and drive forward and lead.
1 Unit – Mishani Lily (1)
Race 5 - 2:18PM AEST
PINK RIBBON CUP Fillies & Mares BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Powerful Peg (3) resumes here on the back of a nice trial win where she cruised around over 1000m here for an easy 3.8 length win.
The Kris Lees-trained daughter of Rubick races well fresh and got within a head of defeating Contemporary when resuming last preparation at Randwick which is very good form for this.
She gets her preferred dry surface which is a big plus given she doesn’t perform at all on rain-affected going.
Andrew Mallyon will negate the wide gate by driving forward and taking up a prominent position in a race that doesn’t look to have a great deal of on pace horses.
1 Unit – Powerful Peg (3)
Race 6 - 2:53PM AEST
OPEN Handicap (1400 METRES)
Secret Plan (9) cost himself victory with a slow start last time out over 1350m at Doomben but to his credit, he worked home powerfully recording the fastest final 600m of the race to finish 2.1 lengths fifth to Plundering.
Two starts back the Richard Litt-trained gelding looked under pressure early in the straight at Doomben but rallied strongly to pick himself off the canvas to finish a nose second.
Prior to coming to Queensland, he won over this distance at Rosehill.
Bailey Wheeler is back in the saddle and with his claim, Secret Plan will carry just 53kg.
1 Unit – Secret Plan (9)
Race 7 - 3:28PM AEST
Class 3 Plate (1200 METRES)
Midori Beauty (1) made a successful return from Hong Kong last start over 1050m at Doomben.
There was an air or arrogance about the Matt Dunn-trained gelding’s win after he settled a long last before picking them up and spitting them out quickly in the straight to easily win by half a length.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise to 1200m looks ideal given how strong through the line he was last start.
Prior to his Hong Kong career, he had two starts at Gosford over this distance and won them both.
If the speed is on, he’ll be the one steaming home over the top of them.
1 Unit Each Way – Midori Beauty (1)
Race 8 - 4:07PM AEST
Class 6 Handicap (1000 METRES)
Simbu (6) has come back this preparation in fine form with two wins from his three starts.
The opened his campaign with a 1.5 length win at Rockhampton before being caught wide at the Sunshine Coast second-up.
He was particularly impressive last start over 1110m at Doomben where he sat outside the lead before producing plenty in the straight to win by just under a length.
Tony Gollan has this guy looking in incredible shape and he once again maps to enjoy a great run for Angela Jones.
1 Unit – Simbu (6)
Race 9 - 4:47PM AEST
BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Iverson (15) caught the eye when resuming over 1350m at Doomben last start.
The Rob Heathcote-trained son of So You Think typically settled back but rattled home in the quickest final 600m of the race to finish 1.7 lengths fifth to Blakmax who he meets 5kg better at the weights.
He was excellent in his first preparation for Heathcote when last in work and I’m expecting him to strip fitter second-up.
A strong tempo will be to his advantage.
1 Unit – Iverson (15)