Saturday’s Caloundra Cup meeting at the Sunshine Coast brings the curtain down on the Queensland Racing Carnival with a strong nine-race program and a trio of feature events headlining the card.
The meeting is highlighted by the Group 3 Winx Guineas, the Listed Caloundra Cup, and the Listed Glasshouse Handicap, giving punters one final quality winter carnival puzzle to solve before attention shifts elsewhere. Conditions will be a key talking point, with the track currently rated a Heavy 8, although fine weather in the lead-up should give the surface every chance to improve before race day. Late showers remain a possibility on Saturday, so monitoring track updates will be important.
With the rail in the true position, every runner should get their chance if the track plays evenly, but the early races may prove especially instructive. Should the inside begin to chop out, jockeys may look to scout wider in search of the crown of the track, making pattern and lane assessment crucial as the meeting unfolds. It shapes as a fitting finale to the carnival, with staying depth, sprinting quality, and testing conditions all combining for a competitive Sunshine Coast program.
Hellish way to start Caloundra Cup Day with a wide-open Benchmark 70 Handicap.
I’m going with TORNADO EXPRESS (16), who should be at peak fitness now following over a year in the paddock.
The Brent Gray-trained mare improved noticeably last start over this distance at Doomben, where she produced the quickest final 600m of the race to finish 1.92 lengths third.
She won her only previous fourth-up run when saluting by 4.44 lengths at Tamworth.
The low draw is a positive and should see Sean Cormack push forward and settle in a prominent position.
| 16. Tornado Express (2) J: Sean Cormack 57kg 5×683T: Brent Gray | |||
| At the latest run 3rd of 7 at Doomben Bm70 on June 17 over 1200m, slow going 2 len behind Nepravda carrying 57kg at $11. Before that 8th of 10 at Doomben Bm65 on June 3 over 1110m, 4 len behind Excenia carrying 57.5kg at $18. Has ability and is among the leading hopes. | |||
ARABIAN ROSE (5) didn’t appreciate the heavy track in the Listed Hinkler Handicap last start when finishing 2.28 lengths seventh.
The James Healy-trained mare was excellent the start prior when resuming over 1200m at Doomben with a fast-finishing 1.61 length victory.
She loves racing at her home track and has won three from four starts over this course and distance.
They should set a strong tempo, which will allow Michael Rodd to sit off them before launching in the straight.
| 5. Arabian Rose (8) J: Michael Rodd 58kg 34×17T: James Healy | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up won by 1.5 len at Doomben Cl6 May 23 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Now Is The Hour carrying 52kg at $9. Second-up 7th of 11 at Eagle Farm in the LR Hinkler on June 13 over 1200m, on a wet track; 2.25 len behind Midnight In Tokyo carrying 53kg at $9.50. Profiles nicely. Willing to forgive the last run – can atone in this company. | |||
TENGUN TOMMY (4) resumed for new trainer Tony Gollan in fine style last start over 1110m at Doomben with a win.
The son of Flying Artie drew wide and was forced to work but still fought like a tiger to salute by a half-length, with 3.68 lengths back to third.
Cool Gent was fourth in that race and subsequently stormed home to win the Listed Oxlade Stakes.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and can stalk what looks like a fierce speed.
| 4. Tengun Tommy (7) J: Ben Thompson 57kg 6×1T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Third race start. First start got back early 6th of 11 at Gold Coast Mm Debut 2yo SW on January 17 over 1000m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Toorak Jewel with 57kg at $11. Went for a break before returning raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.6 len at Doomben 2yo Hcp June 3 over 1110m defeating Invincible Chase carrying 57.5kg at $2.70. Back in great shape and is likely to feature. | |||
HAND IN HAND (8) is a French import having her first start for Tony Gollan.
The chestnut filly was last seen in November bolting in to win her maiden at start number three by five lengths at Le Croise-Laroche.
She’s had two trials leading into this first-up assignment, where she has shown good early speed before finishing close thirds in both.
Daniel Moor can use barrier 2 to advantage and drive forward to settle in a prominent position.
| 8. Hand In Hand (2) J: Daniel Moor 54kg 2x21xT: Tony Gollan | |||
| Resuming after a break of eight months. Finished off last campaign to post a big 5 len win. Le Croisé-Laroche 2yo Mdn Wfa November 3 over 1100m on heavy track defeating Luke The Nuke carrying 55kg at $2. Previously first up; second of 8 at Dax 2yo Cond Wfa October 5 over 1200m, soft track; 1.0 len behind Tinmander with 55kg. Impossible to line up but she is stakes placed so must be respected. | |||
WANDA ROX (14) resumes here looking to keep her magnificent first-up record of five wins from six races intact.
Now trained by Tony Gollan, the six-year-old mare has had two trials to prepare for this, with the first piece of work resulting in a win.
Front concussion plates come off for the first time, and she gets in extremely well under the set weight conditions of the race with just 54kg.
She’s drawn well for Emily Lang, who should be able to find the crown and unleash.
| 14. Wanda Rox (5) J: Emily Lang 54kg 1513xT: Tony Gollan | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four months. Finished off last preparation third of 9 at Gold Coast Hcp March 14 over 1000m, soft track; 1.3 len behind Scampi carrying 58.5kg at $7.50. When resuming last campaign ninth of 12 at Eagle Farm in the LR Bribie December 13 over 1000m, soft track; 2.5 len behind The Black Cloud carrying 56.5kg at $9.50. Gun fresh performer with five wins from six – seriosu threat. | |||
WRITTEN IN LAW (10) is on the quick back-up after finding the line well to finish 3.26 lengths seventh in last weekend’s Tatt’s Tiara.
The Bjorn Baker-trained filly is well weighted under the set weight conditions of the race and arrives here at peak fitness fourth-up.
While she’s yet to win in four attempts at a mile, she has finished runner-up in three of those, including the Group 1 Flight Stakes and the Group 1 Champagne Stakes, where she missed by just a nose.
She hasn’t won since the 2025 Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes but looks well placed to finally break through.
| 10. Within The Law (11) J: Dylan Gibbons 55kg 5×327T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Last start 7th of 17 at Eagle Farm in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara on June 27 over 1400m, slow going 3.5 len behind Splash Back carrying 55.5kg at $8. Before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 13 at Eagle Farm in the G3 Gunsynd on June 13 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 3.5 len behind Skyhook with 55kg at $2.45. Beginning to test the patience but her best is definitely good enough. | |||
THEBUDGIESMUGLA (5) ventures north for the Caloundra Cup in super form having won two of his past three races.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding had plenty on his rivals last start when winning the Listed Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Rosehill.
That kept his perfect record over this distance intact, with four wins from as many starts.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but Dylan Gibbons has plenty of time to find a handy position.
| 5. Thebudgiesmugla (15) J: Dylan Gibbons 54kg 05161T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| At the latest run favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.8 len at Rosehill LR Winter Cup June 13 over 2400m on a soft track defeating Black Run carrying 53kg at $2. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 18 at Rosehill in the LR Mayors Cup on May 30 over 2000m, on heavy track; 3.5 len behind Portland carrying 54kg at $9. Emerging stayer beautifully placed to build on his record. | |||
MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE (3) has been low flying this preparation with three wins from four starts.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding impressed last start when letting down powerfully to win the Listed Civic Stakes by 1.66 lengths.
This is his second visit to Queensland after dominating on speed three starts ago at Eagle Farm for a 2.11 length victory.
He’s undefeated in three starts over this distance and while he’s drawn a touch sticky, Dylan Gibbons can counter that by driving forward early.
| 3. Midnight Dynamite (13) J: Dylan Gibbons 57.5kg x1121T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Dual acceptor. Recent form sound. Most recently favourite; won by 1.75 len at Randwick LR Civic Stakes June 20 over 1400m in soft going defeating Whinchat carrying 54kg at $2.60. The start before that crossed from a wide gate to settle just off the pace but gave ground when 2nd of 14 at Randwick Bm94 on June 6 over 1300m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Cool Jakey carrying 59kg at $3.20. Rates highly. | |||
BENGAL DIAMOND (2) will appreciate the drop in class after finishing 3.74 lengths behind Surfin’ Bird in the Magic Millions National Classic.
The Adam Campton-trained mare showed plenty of fight two starts ago when proving too strong over this distance at Eagle Farm in the same class race as this.
She has a history of winning her fifth run in a preparation, having completed the feat last preparation over 1400m at Eagle Farm, where she defeated Silver Wedding by 1.06 lengths.
Winkers go on for the first time and Ben Thompson should be able to land in a prominent position from the low draw.
| 2. Bengal Diamond (2) J: Ben Thompson 60kg x2310T: Adam Campton | |||
| Dual acceptor. Last start 10th of 15 at Eagle Farm Nat Clas Fm-Wfa on June 6 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Surfin’ Bird with 57kg at $13. The race before that won by a neck at Eagle Farm Bm85 May 30 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Sunset Dreaming with 57.5kg at $7. | |||