Black-type racing continues in Queensland this Saturday with the running of the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup over 1400m.
Showers throughout the week could have us racing on something close to a Soft 7, while the rail remains in the true position throughout.
Our best bets for the nine-race program can be found below.
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Race 1 – 1:08pm – Coastline BMW i4 BM72 Handicap (1400m)
Wide-open race to begin the program, but I do like the favourite Wolf Moon to improve on his first-up run over 1200m here a fortnight ago.
The Billy Healey-trained four-year-old was racing fresh off a lengthy break and managed to lead for most of the way before he was nabbed just out from the post by The Lioness.
He raced amongst some good horses last Autumn, notably beating home Word For Word over the mile and running a distant third to Apache Chase in the Daybreak Lover.
With a win on the board second-up and back on a drier deck, he’ll take some catching.
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 1
Race 2 – 1:43pm – Coastline BMW ix3 BM72 Handicap (1400m)
We’re getting a nice price about Tesarc, who returns from a freshen-up following a luckless run at Eagle Farm last time out.
The son of Testa Rossa came off the fence and was checked on heels before being squeezed between a pair over the final 200m. He deserved to finish closer, but this does look a nice bounce-back race stepping back to his preferred trip.
The Mark Currie-trained seven-year-old is a three-time winner over 1400m, with one of those coming here at the Sunshine Coast. He’s drawn to receive plenty of favours, and his added soft track form is a plus.
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 2
Race 3 – 2:18pm – Coastline BMW M3 QTIS 3YO Handicap (1600m)
Sutto’s Gal appears well-placed to make it a double for trainer Kevin Kemp.
The daughter of Spill The Beans led all the way to win at Doomben two weeks ago over the mile, kicking clear in the final stages to put nearly three lengths between herself and her rivals.
She was far from disgraced the start prior when four lengths sixth to Tiger Heart in the Vo Rogue Plate on a Heavy 10, and she clearly appreciated getting back on a firmer track last time out.
Fitter for two runs back, she shouldn’t find this much tougher.
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 3
Race 4 – 2:53pm – Coastline BMW 2 Series Coupe QTIS 3YO Handicap (1000m)
Muschialli looks to be a promising type for trainer Tony Gollan with two wins and two placings to his name from six starts.
The three-year-old bolted in to win narrowly on Boxing Day at Doomben and he’s since had a soft trial in between runs to keep him sharp for this.
The form from his previous win reads well with second place-getter Frosty Mango going on to find the money again, while the fact he won his maiden here on the Sunny Coast is also a big tick.
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 4
Race 5 – 3:32pm – Coastline BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Open Handicap (1000m)
Racecourse Road was super impressive first-up on the Gold Coast when second to Remlaps Gem over 900m three weeks ago.
He was well-supported in the market and stuck on well after settling on pace, but just lacked his usual finish on a very wet track.
Getting back on top of the ground should improve his chances, while three wins from seven starts second-up is tough to ignore. His 6:2-2 record here on the Sunny Coast also makes for easy reading.
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 5
Race 6 – 4:07pm – Coastline BMW X3 Class 3 Plate (1000m)
Xerri has burned punters on more than one occasion in the past, but the fact he’s won two starts over the track and distance can’t be ignored.
He finished a length clear of his rivals two runs back here in November and then returned off a freshen-up to run fifth at Eagle Farm. There was a bit going on down the straight that day, so I think he’s worth forgiving and can run well with a gap between runs again.
Allez Zou is also worth including with some form over the track and trip. He was flying during the spring and shown he has a real turn of foot. Look for him late.
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 6
Race 7 – 4:52pm – Coastline BMW X4 Class 6 Plate (1600m)
Whispered doesn’t win out of turn, but he does warrant consideration out over further.
The son of Lonhro missed the start first-up at Doomben two weeks ago and finished well down the straight, but with two wins and a place to his name over the mile, I think he can bounce back.
The five-year-old gets 3.5kg’s off under Andrew Mallyon and has won here previously, while he’s also done some of his best racing on rain-affected tracks.
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 7
Race 8 – 5:32pm – Coastline BMW Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m)
Animate knows how cash a cheque over 1400m with four wins and two placings to his name.
He was game in defeat when 1.5L fifth to Eleven Eleven last time out in the Magic Millions Cup, a performance that reads well on paper after making up a stack of ground from the rear to just miss out on a place.
This is his first look at the Sunshine Coast, but he’s in good hands under Andrew Mallyon. The pair combined to win at Doomben during the spring and the son of Animal Kingdom really hasn’t run a bad race since.
His wet track form stacks up and we’re getting a nice price in an open race.
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 8
Race 9 – 6:12pm – Coastline BMW Class 6 Handicap (1200m)
There wasn’t a lot to like about Lasting Kiss first-up at Doomben two weeks ago, but I’m willing to give her a mulligan based on what she accomplished during the spring.
The Real Impact mare won four of her five starts for trainer Stephen Lee, and she should get her chance to bounce back here from the low draw with Steph Thornton steering,
The four-year-old has shown in the past that she’s capable of handling soft going, and although this is her first look at the Sunshine Coast, I’m confident she can get back to her best with some fitness on her side now.
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 9
