The 2024/25 Queensland Summer Racing Carnival officially kicks off this Saturday at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club with the running of Mooloolaba Cup Day.
The 1600m feature as well as the Swiss Ace Plate are highlights on a 10-race program.
The rail is out 2m the entire course and with storms forecast each day this week, it will pay to monitor as we may be racing on a rain-affected track.
We’ve gone over the form with a fine-tooth comb and provided our top selections in each race below.
FORMULA ROSSA (6) makes her debut following a strong trial win at the Gold Coast. The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Spirit Of Boom showed good speed to lead the 800m hit out before working to the line nicely for a 1.5 lengths win. While she’s drawn out, that doesn’t matter as much at the Sunshine Coast given the chute start and regardless, she’ll likely go forward for Angela Jones.
AERIAL DANCER (10) bounced back from a luckless run two starts ago with a strong win at Eagle Farm. The Matt Hoysted-trained mare let down powerfully to win the 1600m contest by 1.5 lengths. A rain-affected track won’t faze her given she won here over 1400m by 2.5 lengths on a Heavy 8 deck at the start of this year. Ronnie Stewart will look to negate the potentially awkward barrier by going forward and finding a prominent position.
BEWS (5) impressed in his first start for Stu Kendrick when resuming over 1200m at Doomben last start. The son of I Am Invincible was given a great ride by Cody Collis following a slow start before charging home to win comfortably by just under a length. He’ll strip fitter second-up and once again looks well placed at this level. Collis, whose 2kg claim is a plus, can settle just off what looks a strong speed.
AICHI ICON (3) has come back this preparation in fine style. The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding proved too strong in the heavy conditions two starts back when winning by 1.5 lengths over a mile at Scone. He stepped up to this distance for the first time last start at the Gold Coast and handled it beautifully, letting down strongly to win by 1.3 lengths. He maps to get a great run on speed for Ronnie Stewart.
MISS JOELENE (12) returned in good order last start over 1350m at Doomben. The Kelly Schweida-trained mare fought gamely for a 1.5 length third behind Navyonthehighway who subsequently ran a bold race for fourth in the G2 Hot Danish Stakes last Saturday. She’ll strip fitter second-up and is well weighted under the conditions of the race given she placed in the G1 Queensland Oaks and G2 The Roses. Jimmy Orman takes the ride and should be able to settle handy from barrier 4.
NAVAL TRADER (9) will appreciate dropping in class after being held up and finishing 5.2 lengths fifth to Yellow Brick in the Listed Tattersalls Members Cup at Eagle Farm. Two starts back the Matt Hoysted-trained grey gelding let down strongly to win over 1350m at Doomben. He’ll enjoy returning to the Sunshine Coast where he won his only previous race over this course and distance. Nikita Berriman retains the ride and should give her mount every chance from barrier 2.
CAN’T RECALL ONE (2) returns to the races for the first time since finishing sixth in the G1 Ladbrokes JJ Atkins. The Stu Kendrick-trained gelding was thrown in the deep end last preparation but his first campaign saw him win both his races including a 4.3 length romp at Eagle Farm over this distance. He’s had two trials to warm up for this and looked good working to the line behind, albeit well behind, Felix The Scat who won last Saturday. Queensland’s top jockey Jimmy Orman is a key booking from a good barrier.
BROOKHAVEN (5) returned in great order over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start. The Chris & Corey Munce-trained son of Spieth didn’t have the clearest path in the straight but let down strongly to finish a length second. He’ll have come on since that run and did win second-up last preparation. He has a good record at the track and will appreciate the rise to a mile.
NETTUNO (6) returns to the races for the first time since finishing 3.3 lengths third in the G3 Vale Black Caviar at Caulfield. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding kicked off his Summer Carnival campaign last year with an impressive two-length win in this race. He loves this course and distance having won all three starts over it in varying conditions. Jimmy Orman should be able to give him a great run from the inside barrier.
BALASTIER (8) created quite the impression when bolting in by 3.8 lengths on debut over 1100m on a Heavy 9 Ipswich. Unfortunately, the Tony Gollan-trained son of Brazen Beau was found to be lame in his next start when finishing down the track in the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic. He was sent for a spell and returns here a gelding on the back of a slick 5.3 length trial win where he never got out of second gear. He’s drawn wide but has the early speed to settle handy for Angela Jones.