Sunshine Coast Cup Day headlines the action this Saturday and provides the perfect way to launch the long weekend.
One of Queensland’s premier provincial meetings, the program is built around the feature Sunshine Coast Cup and supported by a strong mix of competitive races featuring proven performers and emerging talent.
The rail is in the true position, and the track should be rated in the Soft range given there’s a few showers forecast.
With the stage set and the form stacking up well, it’s time to get involved and see if we can start the Australia Day long weekend on a high!
STAR OF JAMAICA (1) was well supported on debut over 1000m at Eagle Farm after a nice trial win but not much went right.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained colt blew the start badly and then charged early to sit outside the lead, but that only left him suspect late and he was run down to finish 2.05 lengths second.
He’s been freshened and arrives here on the back of a pleasing trial win.
From the good gate, Ryan Maloney should give him every chance.
Selections: 1-5-3-6
| 1. Star Of Jamaica (3) 59kg2 |
ENTERPRISE PRIVATE (4) is racing in super form and is looking for his third win in a row.
The Kris Lees-trained gelding impressed two starts ago at big odds when charging home at Murwillumbah to win comfortably before defeating a similar field to this last start over 2200m at Doomben where he let down powerfully to salute by 1.1 lengths.
He’s rock hard fit and won his only previous race over this course and distance which was a dominant 4.58 length victory five starts ago.
While he rises 4kg, he still looks well placed and should enjoy an economic run.
Selections: 4-3-1-2
| 4. Enterprise Private (3) 57kg12911 |
DIAMOND EPIC (5) found the line well last start at Eagle Farm but the 59.5kg pulled her down late and she finished 1.14 lengths fifth.
She capitalised on some excellent form around Esjay when breaking through for a strong win two starts ago.
The Renita Beaton-trained mare stormed home despite an unclear path to win over this course and distance by 1.81 lengths.
Given weight was a problem last start, Beaton has astutely booked 3kg claimer Jai Williams.
Selections: 5-9-4-11
| 5. Diamond Epic (2) 59.5kg23215 |
SIRKEL (13) kicked off this preparation on a winning note over this distance at Doomben.
Jack Bruce then tried the So You Think mare over 1350m at Doomben and twice over 1400m here where she ran well to place on two occasions.
A drop back to this distance last start saw her return to the winner’s stall at Eagle Farm where she displayed a nice turn of foot to salute narrowly.
She strikes a similar race and will be aided by a decent speed.
Selections: 13-2-8-15
| 13. Sirkel (6) 58kg14231 |
QUOTHQUAN (6) returned in good order last start in a stronger race over 1400m at Eagle Farm and looks set for another good preparation.
The John Dann-trained gelding settled back before working strongly to the line to finish 2.11 lengths fourth.
The rise to a mile suits with increased fitness and he won second-up last preparation.
This is his first start at the Sunshine Coast, but the bigger track will suit his get back and run on style.
Selections: 6-3-9-7
| 6. Quothquan (5) 57.5kg341×4 |
CARBONARA (5) has been low flying this preparation and is searching for her third win in a row.
The Rob Heathcote-trained filly broke a run of three consecutive runner-up finishes two starts ago with an impressive maiden win at Ipswich where she bolted in by nearly five lengths.
She went to town last start and proved too strong over 1200m at Eagle Farm, leading all the way for a head victory.
Vlad Duric piloted for both wins and will give her every chance from the inside barrier.
Selections: 5-10-2-9
| 5. Carbonara (1) 56.5kg22211 |
ARABIAN ROSE (14) loves racing at her home track as clearly demonstrated by her record of four wins from five starts.
The James Healey-trained mare enters this race on the back of a slick win over 1200m here where she put them away easily for a 2.13 length victory.
She’ll strip fitter and won third-up last preparation by just over three lengths when taking on this course and distance for her one and only time.
Daniel Moor should be able to find a two or three-wide running line and get to the crown of the track.
Selections: 14-12-4-7
| 14. Arabian Rose (11) 55kg13×91 |
ANEMACORE (6) tasted defeat for the first time this preparation last start, but it was still a terrific effort.
The Shaun Dwyer-trained gelding settled a long way back in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes from the wide barrier before rocketing home to finish a length third to Rockribbed who he meets 4kg better at the weights.
Prior to that, he won back-to-back races at Doomben and Eagle Farm.
He won’t mind racing at the Sunshine Coast given he has never been out of the quinella on his home track in four starts.
Selections: 6-1-11-14
| 6. Anemacore (3) 54kg2×113 |
HELL (4) produced his best run since joining the Tony Gollan stable last start over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
The Hellbent gelding zoomed around his rivals to lead comfortably before producing plenty to hold them at bay for a 1.54 length win.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get the lead easily in his first two runs this preparation, but that shouldn’t be the case here despite the wide barrier.
Jai Williams, who claims 3kg, can use his natural early speed to find the front with little resistance and being at peak fitness he should be able to keep going.
Selections: 4-14-9-16
| 4. Hell (10) 59kg0x271 |
YOYO YEEZY (14) suffered the thumps and poor recovery on debut, but he hasn’t looked back since, winning his next three starts.
The Matt Hoysted-trained gelding has been in super form this preparation, opening with a strong Saturday win where he ran quick time to win over 1000m at Eagle Farm.
He returned to that course and distance last start where he wasn’t the quickest away but was able to settle outside the lead before toughing out another win.
If he jumps as quickly as he’s capable of and control the race, then he should prove hard to run down.
Selections: 14-3-7-8
| 14. Yoyo Yeezy (6) 56.5kg51×11 |