The Sunshine Coast hosts the final meeting of the Queensland Racing Carnival on Saturday, with Caloundra Cup Day offering a competitive nine-race program.
Feature racing is spread across the card through the Group 3 Winx Guineas, the Listed Caloundra Cup, and the Listed Glasshouse Handicap. For punters, it provides one final winter carnival challenge before attention turns elsewhere. The track is currently rated a Heavy 8, and while fine weather in the lead-up gives the surface an opportunity to improve before race day, the possibility of late showers on Saturday means track updates should be monitored closely.
The rail will be in the true position, which should give all runners their opportunity if the surface plays evenly. The early races may be particularly important from a pattern perspective. If the inside section begins to deteriorate, riders may look to get away from the fence and search for the crown of the track. With staying depth, sprinting quality, and testing conditions all part of the equation, the meeting shapes as a fitting conclusion to the Sunshine Coast carnival program.
TORNADO EXPRESS (16) appeals now that she should be reaching peak fitness after more than a year away in the paddock.
Last start over this distance at Doomben, the Brent Gray-trained mare showed good improvement when recording the quickest final 600m of the race and finishing 1.92 lengths third.
Her fourth-up profile is also encouraging, as she won her only previous run at that stage of a preparation by 4.44 lengths at Tamworth.
Sean Cormack has the benefit of a low draw and should be able to move forward into a prominent position.
| 16. Tornado Express (2) 57kg5×683 |
BALANCE THE BOOKS (6) was excellent last start at Ipswich when winning against the pattern of the day.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare didn’t have the easiest run in transit, racing wide and back, but let down powerfully from well back to easily salute by 1.64 lengths.
She had been a touch unlucky in her two previous races when placing.
Once again she has a tricky barrier, but Ben Thompson is in the irons and can expertly pilot us through any difficulty.
| 6. Balance The Books (11) 57.5kgx4231 |
There was plenty to like about the way TENGUN TOMMY (4) resumed for Tony Gollan, winning over 1110m at Doomben.
The son of Flying Artie was drawn wide and had to do work in the run, but he was still able to fight on and score by a half-length, with 3.68 lengths back to third.
That race has produced a further form reference, as Cool Gent finished fourth before subsequently storming home to win the Listed Oxlade Stakes.
With that run under his belt, he should take improvement second-up and can settle behind what looks a fierce speed.
| 4. Tengun Tommy (5) 57kg6×1 |
French import HAND IN HAND (8) makes her Australian debut here for Tony Gollan.
The chestnut filly was last seen in November when winning her maiden at start number three by five lengths at Le Croise-Laroche.
Her preparation has included two trials, and in both she showed good early speed before finishing close thirds.
Barrier 2 gives Daniel Moor options, and he can make use of that draw by going forward and settling in a prominent position.
| 8. Hand In Hand (2) 54kg2x21x |
A strong first-up record makes WANDA ROX (14) a key runner as she resumes with five wins from six fresh attempts.
Now trained by Tony Gollan, the six-year-old mare has prepared for this with two trials, the first of which resulted in a win.
There is also a gear change to note, with the front concussion plates coming off for the first time, while she is favourably placed under the set weight conditions with just 54kg.
From a good draw, Emily Lang should be able to get her to the crown of the track before asking for her finish.
| 14. Wanda Rox (4) 54kg1513x |
After finishing off well for 3.26 lengths seventh, WRITTEN IN LAW (10) returns on the quick back-up.
The Bjorn Baker-trained filly is suited by the set weight conditions and comes into this fourth-up, which should have her at peak fitness.
Although she remains winless from four starts at a mile, she has placed runner-up in three of those, with those efforts including the Group 1 Flight Stakes and the Group 1 Champagne Stakes, where she missed by just a nose.
Her last win came in the 2025 Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes, but this looks a suitable race for her to finally break through again.
| 10. Within The Law (10) 55kg5×327 |
The recent form around THEBUDGIESMUGLA (5) is strong, with the gelding winning two of his past three races.
Last start, the Bjorn Baker-trained runner proved too good in the Listed Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Rosehill.
That win maintained his unbeaten record at 2400m, which now stands at four wins from four starts over this distance.
While the outside barrier is not ideal, Dylan Gibbons has enough time over this trip to work across and find a suitable position.
| 5. Thebudgiesmugla (13) 54kg05161 |
GERRINGONG (8) comes into this on the quick back-up following a strong third in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara, a performance that carried merit given the run she endured.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare jumped cleanly but was shuffled back to midfield, then was held up in the straight before closing off well to finish 2.21 lengths behind Splash Back.
Her first-up run prior to that was also strong, with the mare beaten a head in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes.
She should be fitter again, and there is a positive third-up reference in her form, having finished second to Manaal by less than a length in the Group 2 Golden Pendant the last time she was third-up.
With barrier 2 to work from, Dylan Gibbons should be able to give her an economical run.
| 8. Gerringong (2) 56.5kg75×23 |
The drop in grade should suit BENGAL DIAMOND (2) after she finished 3.74 lengths behind Surfin’ Bird in the Magic Millions National Classic.
Two starts back, the Adam Campton-trained mare was strong over this distance at Eagle Farm when winning in the same class race as this.
Her fifth-up record is also relevant, as she won at that stage last preparation over 1400m at Eagle Farm, defeating Silver Wedding by 1.06 lengths.
Winkers are applied for the first time, and from the low draw Ben Thompson should be able to secure a prominent position.
| 2. Bengal Diamond (2) 60kgx2310 |