Ten Races tonight from The Creek where Turn It Up will be out to add another victory to his imposing record. A win would see the Shane Graham trained 8YO take his stake earnings beyond $800,000. Another competitive Up to NR70 Final will be run as Race 2. First race at 5.47pm.
RACE ONE
Tough qualifying pace over the 2138m journey where map and tempo will be vital for a number of runners. With two close second placings and a win in his past three, ARGYLE (6) can look to defy the gate and start the night for Angus Garrard with a win. Barriers have not been favourable in recent times for JOHNSON STEP (8) but he maps here for an economical trip and can be looking to make a closing play if the gap should happen to arrive in time. ETERNAL GOLD (1) probably holds the key for a number of these, with his early speed likely to dictate the early positioning, options of releasing or holding help his chances. TIMZEE (2) should be nearing peak fitness after four runs back and can settle close enough to the action to be in the mix.
ARGYLE (6) to win
RACE TWO
Nathan Dawson only has a small book by his usual standards tonight but lands a plum winning hope here in the shape of LOUS DREAM (1). Locked away in a strong 3YO race last start, it was a tough effort to claim his heat for this final and from gate 1, is the one to be with. HOLI STARZZZ (7) is unbeaten in three starts for Chantal Turpin but gate 7 over the flying mile makes the task of remaining unbeaten a difficult one. That said off her three wins, four is certainly achievable. CAPTAINS PICK (2) is never far away and from this alley will be close to the action to make a play. LEITHEN BURN (10) will be fitter following his first run back from a spell, but will be relying on plenty of benefits here.
LOUS DREAM (1) to win
RACE THREE
BEACH VILLA (1) loves it out in front and finds the gate and the right opposition to do his thing on the engine. Leading throughout two starts back to score, he has won three here at The Creek, all three when leading. AMAMI (9) has been in top form of late, winning here two starts back finishing over the top of them. With second line options, he can be trying to reel in the leader. LETS GET ROCKIN (2) has shown some gradual improvement and if able to get some early cover, has claims of minor money. FALCONS (4) did it tough two starts back and then last start rattled late to score. A wider gate in a likely strong tempo is not ideal.
Trifecta 1 / 2-4-9 / 2-4-5-8-9
RACE FOUR
Boasting 18 wins here at The Creek, gate 7 should still be no obstacle for TURN IT UP (7) in stretching his winning tally to 19 and 31 overall. With 3rd placings in both runs since resuming from the Blacks A Fake, this looks at his mercy. BETTERTHANAROCKET (6) has a nice change of speed and likely to be back in the field will be trying to make a late rally, as he did two starts back when arriving wide out to score. HY VOLTAGE (2) has good early hustle and might just try to find the poles first and then take the cover which would give him solid podium claims. MIRACLE MOOSE (4) gets back to mobile conditions and from the gate might look to settle closer to chase the minors.
TURN IT UP (7) to win
RACE FIVE
With three hooves, a mane and a tail on the ‘till, SO SIRIUS (9) finds the conditions to chase what would be his first win since arriving in Qld. Large in defeat in the heat that sees him tackle this consolation, it looks his race. PRESS STATEMENT (2) can run the arm and should be firing enough early bullets to get across. Not that far away last start behind EURO BEAT, he will be trying to repel the challenge. WINDY HILL WALLY (1) has the mapping favours from the inside alley and was making ground on the inside at Redcliffe last start. LANAI (10) will be trying to track into the contest and with the right cart home should be around some of the minor money from the tough gate.
SO SIRIUS (9) to win
RACE SIX
A drop in grade and landing the inside gate point to LORD ZARIAS (1) returning to winning form after four runs back from a spell. Runner-up at the first two back, conditions have been against him in the past two, while they look firmly in his favour this time. CAPTIAN NEMO (9) is one of those horses that can turn up when it does not appear likely, and the conditions might just work for him here. A handy 3rd three runs back keeps him in the mix. AWAYWEGO (5) loves to roll and take control, which he was able to do last start to lead throughout. Gate 5 makes it a tougher ask and the front likely not available. EURO BEAT (6) will need plenty of favours from this gate after claiming a qualifying victory last start but can be making a late raid.
LORD ZARIAS (1) to win
RACE SEVEN
Although not brilliant out of the machine, a handy gate should be enough for MERRY DANCER (3) to finally claim a breakthrough. Consistently close to the winner but unable to land one in this grade, this looks her chance. SOMETHINGABOUTLEXY (8) covers plenty of the countryside chasing a win and comes back to Brisbane after a last start Dubbo victory. That was in slick time and if a gap arrives, she can certainly be entertained. WINONA WRITER (4) will strip fitter from her last start when resuming from a spell and having her first run for the new barn. A sticky gate might just make it tough. SHEREACTS (2) can do work if required and also has some early hustle. That will see her in a forward spot to make a play.
MERRY DANCER (3) to win
RACE EIGHT
Only a small field for the open class mares and it might be a #LeaderPeter set up here if ELOUISA DALE (5) is sent hard off the arm looking for the front. Much better when lighting the lamps, if it is a cheap lead, she will get her chance. SHEZ NOTORIOUS (6) has been flying for Jonah Hutchinson, so much that she returns from a one run Menangle attack where she was 3rd. Back to mare’s only company will suit her despite the awkward gate. MIGHT AS WELL (8) keeps filling the minors but is coming up short of victory this campaign. As the lone second line runner, she can plot her own course. MISS MUCHO (7) cops a rough time from the outside front, but at her best can be in the money.
ELOUISA DALE (5) to win
RACE NINE
If ARCO (2) is ever going to win a mare’s qualifier, surely it has to be this one. With some tough gates to negotiate in recent weeks yet still running some consistent races and grabbing the minor money, the latest behind the dictating CAPTAIN OF SPEED, it all points to her saluting. ROLLED IN GOLD (1) has the mapping options from this gate after last week closing out hard but finding one with a little more zip in the closing stages. SISTA BLISS (5) backs up after a last start Redcliffe win, but might just find this a little tougher.
ARCO (2) to win
RACE TEN
CALL ME TROUBLE (9) has the 20m tape to overcome here but a smaller field size should help his chances. His run last week was super after losing a stack of ground after an error. Trotting cleanly can see him be hard to stop. TAM OSHANTER (5) will appreciate a return to the middle trip and if able to fly the tapes in his usual manner, can look to make a solid play. GLOBAL FLIGHT (6) has been back at the trials on a stewards embargo and after two handy efforts gains the return. If he can recapture something near his best, he can certainly feature. HATEITWHENYOURRITE (1) is the big query runner, thrown into Saturday night company for the first time and will be first up from a spell.
CALL ME TROUBLE (9) to win