The first of three Listed races that round out the Sunshine Coast card for Saturday, brings together a very good field of sixteen runners over 1400m. Early favourite is Someday at $4.60 just in advance of River Lad and Belltone at $6 and $7 respectively.

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Glasshouse Handicap Form Guide

1. BELLTONE – D Browne (14)

Winner of this race last year when, as he is here today, fourth up from a spell. Like last year, he had displayed good lead up and won the BRC Sprint two starts back however, his most recent start was a poor sixteen of eighteen in the G1 Stradbroke Hcp. Rises to 5.5kgs on last start and drawn very wide.

2. RIVER LAD – E Wilkinson (5)

Locally trained galloper who has been a model of consistency this preparation and ran the in-form Howmuchdoyouloveme to a head last week in the G3 WJ Healy Stakes. He has drawn to get an ideal run from gate five and, provided he handles the quick back-up, will be in the mix.

3. PHELAN READY – G Colless (3)

Can he finally register his third career win at his home track?! He ran sixth in this race last year on a heavy track and third in 2011 on a slow surface. He has had three runs back this time in and, in each of them, as produced his typically strong finish. He gets is chance here but now, as a rising 7yo, the boat may have sailed.

4. STAR OF OCTAGONAL – (7)

Going back a few years, this bloke was a very good galloper and registered a second placing in G2 Ajax Stakes however, injury has seen him only two starts since May 2012. The most recent of which was in Sydney a month ago when he finished midfield behind Hidden Warrior. On that effort, happy to put several others in front of him.

5. GREEN BIRDIE – P Holmes (1)

Back-maker who has finished tenth of fifteen in the G3 BRC Sprint and eleventh of fifteen in the Listed Strawberry Road however, was only 3.4 and 2.8 lengths away from the winner respectively. Suited to the 1400m and the big Sunshine Coast circuit and, did ran well in G3 and G2 races in Melbourne during the spring. One for the trifecta players.

6. MORNING CAPTAIN – J Byrne (11)

He has been very consistent this prep without winning. He finished fourth in the BRC Sprint behind Bellton three starts back before finishing within in a length of Galah and Conservatorium in the G2 QTC Cup before, running sixth (beaten 2.7 lengths) in the Eye Liner Stakes a fortnight ago. Had his chance last start but previous form would suggest it’ll pay to forgive him that one.

7. TOKAMAK – P Hammersley (9)

Winner of five of his last seven starts including his last start victory in the Listed Strawberry Road Stakes (1600m). Goes up 2kgs on that win and drops back to the seven furlongs but capable on all surfaces and is in winning form.

8. JETSET LAD – R McMahon

Has had four starts during the Brisbane Winter carnival since coming across from New Zealand and his last two efforts suggest, he’ll go close to winning this race and bettering his second placing in last year’s race. He finished within 1 ½ lengths of Tokamak (whom he meets much better at the weights today) and 2 ½ lengths behind Conservatorium in the Eye Liner when camped on a genuine speed. Gets the chance to secure a sweet run from gate four and one of the leading chances.

9. MEET GEORGE – J Bowditch (6)

He was doing his best work late in his most recent starts that include a third in the Listed Spear Chief (1500m) and then from a long way back, second in the Eye Liner behind Conservatorium. Ran fourth in this race last year and will appreciate the long Sunshine Coast straight.

10. CELTIC DANCER – T Bell (10)

Led and stuck on gamely when eighth (beaten 3.4 lengths) in the G2 QTC Cup two starts back before missing the start and uncharacteristically, racing at the tail of the field in the Eye Liner Stakes and finishing a well beaten eleventh. Will be ridden forward today and would welcome any rain.

11. DOUBTFUL JACK – (2)

It’s been a long time since this 6yo has claimed a win – October 2011 to be specific. After a seven week let up he ran second behind Pellegrini here on the Sunshine Coast in Open Company before being well beaten in the Listed Eye Liner stakes a fortnight ago. On those two efforts, couldn’t include him among the chances here.

12. MYSTICAL GREY – G Goold (15)

Sparingly raced 8yo who returned from a twenty week spell three weeks ago with a fourth placing (beaten 4 ¼ lengths) in a BM 90 on the Gold Coast behind Skating on Ice. He’ll enjoy a significant weight drop but that may not bee enough.

13. SOMEDAY – M Cahill (16)

Busting to win a race this time in and this one looks ideal. Closed very well to run second in the Strawberry Road Stakes a long neck behind Tokamak and last week, got shuffled back in the run before finishing well to run third behind Fire Up Fifi in the Listed Centenary Stakes. No luck last start and hasn’t had much here in terms of the barrier draw.

14. PELLEGRINI – R Wiggins (12)

Honest 4yo from Rob Heathcote’s stable who has been close up in both the Strawberry Road and Eye Liner Stakes at his most recent outings when leading from the jump. Drawn wide, will be kept honest in the lead here and the Sunshine Coast track is a hard one for horses with his racing pattern.

15. TAX EVADER – S Baster (8)

4yo by Ad Valorem who has progressed this preparation from a BM75 to running a very good foruth in the Eye Liner Stakes at his most recent performance. Did have his chance last start and will not find this race any easier.

16. BEREFT – (13)

Former Darley horse now with David Aitkens at Broadmeadow whose last start, only his second in two months, was a sixth (beaten 2.5 lengths) behind the in-form Nothing Like Luca. Will strip fitter again for that run and produces best with sting out of the ground.

OVERVIEW

Taking the odds that River Lad will be able to handle the quick back-up and break through for a much deserved win here. He’s drawn much better than most of his fancied rivals and like he did last week for us, give us a big show. Meet George, who has been very good at his last two outings will appreciate the tempo of this race along with the open spaces of this circuit and be finishing hard. Tokamak’s form is hard to fault and has to be included whilst the wide draw for Someday raises concerns.