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Normally the Queensland Racing Carnival would be heading to the Gold Coast this Saturday for Hollindale Stakes Day but for the second year in a row, the meeting has been transferred to the Sunshine Coast and be known as the Coast To Coast Raceday.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The time-honoured Group 2 Hollindale Stakes will highlight a nine-race card that also includes the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic, the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet, Silk Stocking, Gold Coast Guineas and ATC Trophy.
Unfortunately, persistent rain on the Sunshine Coast will see the surface rated in the heavy range.
We've done the hard work for you and provided our top selections in each race below!
RACE 1 - 12:33PM: BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Midnight In Tokyo (7) resumes here on the back of a soft trial behind Prince Of Boom where she settled at the back and looked to have a lot more in hand.
The Annabel Neasham-trained mare raced well last preparation where she won twice at Doomben and finished second in The Gateway.
She races well fresh and boasts two wins and a second from four heavy track starts.
Damien Thornton can give her every chance from the inside barrier.
1 Unit Each Way – Midnight In Tokyo (7)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 1
RACE 2 - 1:08PM: GOLD COAST CUP (2400 METRES)
Bois D'argent (1) ran well to finish second in the Randwick City Cup first-up before a decent effort in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes two starts back.
The Annabel Neasham-trained grey gelding was held up at the top of the straight in the Group 3 JRA Plate last start and fought to the line well to finish fourth by 4.34 lengths.
That was a heavy track and throughout his career he's done his best work on tracks with the sting out of them.
He returns to the Sunshine Coast for the first time since finishing a length second in the Caloundra Cup over this course and distance.
1 Unit – Bois D'argent (1)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 2
RACE 3 - 1:43PM: LISTED SILK STOCKING (1400 METRES)
Thalassophile (1) resumes here following an average trial but that's nothing to be concerned about from this stable.
The Chris Waller-trained daughter of Not A Single Doubt is the class act in this field and boasts multiple Group placings.
A wet track won't faze her given she's won four and placed six times from 13 heavy track races.
From the inside barrier, James McDonald can settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Thalassophile (1)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 3
RACE 4 - 2:18PM: GROUP 3 KEN RUSSELL MEMORIAL CLASSIC (1200 METRES)
Balastier (9) impressed when resuming over 1100m at Ipswich on a Heavy 9 surface.
The Tony Gollan-trained son of Brazen Beau worked from the outside barrier to lead before dashing clear to easily win by 3.8 lengths.
He'll strip fitter second-up and the rise to 1200m should pose no problems.
Ryan Maloney remains in the saddle and can make use of barrier 2 to drive forward and lead.
1 Unit Each Way – Balastier (9)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 4
RACE 5 - 2:53PM: LISTED AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB TROPHY (1200 METRES)
The Big Goodbye (1) claimed the Listed Ascot Handicap first-up and again gets conditions to suit.
The Rob Heathcote-trained warhorse took advantage of the leaders going ballistic in front to storm home and win by half a length.
He'll strip fitter second-up and will enjoy the wet surface given he's undefeated on heavy tracks.
Martin Harley remains in the saddle and should enjoy the run of the race just behind what looks like a strong speed.
1 Unit Each Way – The Big Goodbye (1)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 5
RACE 6 - 3:32PM: GROUP 3 GOLD COAST GUINEAS (1200 METRES)
Corniche (3) has been in consistent form this preparation in Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival black-type races.
The James Cummings-trained son of Fastnet Rock chased strongly when resuming in the Listed Fireball Stakes to finish a half-length second.
It was a similar scenario in his next two starts when running on well to finish third in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes and 1.4 lengths fourth in the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint.
That's the right form for this race so if he handles the wet track (the worst he has faced is a Soft 5 in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes and he won), then he should be fighting out the finish.
1 Unit – Corniche (3)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 6
RACE 7 - 4:08PM: GROUP 2 A.D. HOLLINDALE STAKES (1800 METRES)
Huetor (2) made short work of the heavy track when winning the Group 3 JRA Plate last start.
The Team Snowden-trained gelding settled at the tail of the field before charging along the inside to win by 2.3 lengths.
He'll strip fitter and has won three of six third-up races including the 2022 Group 1 Doomben Cup.
The outside gate isn't ideal, but he'll get back in the run anyway for Tommy Berry.
1 Unit – Huetor (2)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 7
RACE 8 - 4:55PM: LISTED GOLD COAST BRACELET (1800 METRES)
Firestorm (18) looks ready for a peak performance in this year's Gold Coast Bracelet.
The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old filly impressed in her first Australian start when resuming over 1400m on the Kensington track with a win.
She then got through the heavy conditions well to finish 1.8 lengths fourth in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes.
Her run last start in the Listed Princess Stakes at Eagle Farm was the clear best of any runner in that field as she picked up strongly late for third by a neck.
The rise to 1800m looks ideal and she loses nothing with James McDonald replacing Mark Du Plessis.
1 Unit – Firestorm (18)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 8
RACE 9 - 5:30PM: BAT OUT OF HELL (1000 METRES)
Hardware Lane (10) is a deadset swimmer and I'm happy to support him at the price in the last.
The John Smerdon-trained son of Scissor Kick returned in great style last start over 1000m at Eagle Farm where he settled back and finished off powerfully for a 1.3 length fourth.
He was beaten a nose in his only previous start over the course and distance and that was his first race in Queensland.
With four wins from six starts on heavy decks, he and Mark Du Plessis can give us a good sight to send us home a winner.
1 Unit Each Way – Hardware Lane (10)
BET NOW: Sunshine Coast Race 9
