1. Outback Gladiator | Back from 21 week spell and trialled at Doomben. Returns to shorter trip. Expect to be right up there. |
2. Tavino | Faded to finish 10 lengths off the winner last start at Sunshine Coast when fresh and blinkers come off for the first time. Has trialled and won since last race 21 days ago but still not keen. |
3. Beauty Canto | Won last start to break maiden at Murwillumbah when first up and blinkers come off for the first time. Genuine contender. |
4. Bellicose | Finished midfield last start at Sunshine Coast and has not won in nine outings to the track before. Won once this prep at Ipswich four runs back. Rough claims. |
5. Ensenada | Short back-up of seven days and gets the blinkers on for the first time. Placed in first start this prep. Not the worst. |
6. Red River Lad | Finished five lengths off the winner last start at Sunshine Coast and won once this prep at the track two runs back. Ronnie Stewart has had success aboard previously. Hard to hold out. |
7. Sabie Park | Made ground late to win at only start at Sunshine Coast on a soft track and has won at the track before. Looks a good thing. |
8. Cairndow | First-up after 29 week spell and fitter for Doomben trial. Returns to shorter trip. Looks tested. |
9. Buzzer Beater | 2-1/4 len 7th of 10 (10) $11.00 57.5 Igor 1400m Sunshine Coast E&G (Bm58) Soft(6) Jan 3. 3-3/4 len win of 14 (8) $3.20F 57.5 Fearless Queen, Our Rocky 1350m Warwick Hcp (58) Soft(6) Jan 16. |
10. Helsun | Unplaced in all five runs this prep and ran three lengths back from the winner last start at Sunshine Coast. No wins in four past runs at the track. Place hope. |
11. Fend Off | Won last start to break maiden at Bell and has the speed to overcome drawing the widest barrier. Carries a lot less weight. Rough claims. |
12. Bulltruck | Unplaced in all 10 runs this prep and has not won at Sunshine Coast previously. Returns to shorter trip. Looks tested. |