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Could we see a future star in this year's three-year-old feature races?
We've provided our best bets in each race to help you head into the start of Queensland Racing Carnival next weekend.
RACE 1 - 11:38AM: BENCHMARK 75 Handicap (1815 METRES)
Solar Apex (1) rises in weight but will appreciate the drop in class after contesting an Open Handicap last start.
The Jack Bruce-trained six-year-old gelding found the line well over this course and distance to finish 1.1 lengths sixth.
Wapiti was a nose in front of him that day and he has since won a similar race to this last Saturday.
He's rock hard fit fifth-up and should enjoy a nice run for Jake Molloy whose 3kg claim comes in very handy.
1 Unit Each Way – Solar Apex (1)
RACE 2 - 12:13PM: BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (2400 METRES)
Bak Da Man (7) will appreciate rising back to this distance after winning over it at his only attempt two starts ago.
On that occasion the Jack Bruce-trained son of Reliable Man let down powerfully for the back of the field to win comfortably by 1.8 lengths.
Last start over 2200m at this track, he was doing his best work late when finishing just under a length fifth which also supports that he'll enjoy racing over 2400m again.
There should be a genuine tempo in the race which will help his cause.
1 Unit – Bak Da Man (7)
RACE 3 - 12:48PM: QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)
Pareto (7) lines up to make his debut following an impressive trial at Doomben over 840m in March.
The David McColm-trained Pierata gelding showed electric speed to lead all the way for a 4.8 length win in good time.
That trial was over a month ago, so no doubt McColm has kept him up to the mark with plenty of work at home.
He has the early speed to cross for Kyle Wilson-Taylor and take up a prominent position.
1 Unit – Pareto (7)
RACE 4 - 1:23PM: BENCHMARK 75 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Scentify (5) looks well placed in this Benchmark 75 Handicap after competing in Melbourne black-type races.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Justify colt has been freshed after finishing 7.3 lengths behind multiple black-type winner and future star, Estriella at Flemington.
Two preparations back he placed in the Listed McKenzie Stakes and the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude so there is no doubting his class.
He races well fresh having won two of three races when first-up.
1 Unit – Scentify (5)
RACE 5 - 1:58PM: BENCHMARK 90 Handicap (1300 METRES)
If you put a line through a luckless run two starts back, Ned's Gully (6) has been racing in excellent form.
The Paul Wallace-trained gelding found the line strongly to win over 1200m at this track three starts ago.
Last start he was held up behind the leader at Doomben before rocketing to the line once clear to finish a head second.
He is yet to race over 1300m but the way he ran through the line and the fact that he is rock hard fit suggests that he'll be able to handle the rise in distance.
Mark Du Plessis can settle in a handy position and given him every chance.
1 Unit Each Way – Ned's Gully (6)
RACE 6 - 2:33PM: LISTED LADBROKES MICK DITTMAN PLATE (1000 METRES)
This is a terrific edition of the Mick Dittman Plate with a number of quality three-year-olds looking to stamp their claims ahead of the Carnival.
Skirt The Law (7) returns to the races for the first time since finishing a seventh place finish in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes at The Valley.
The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Better Than Ready warmed up for this with an impressive trial win where she jumped to a massive lead before being shut off with 100m to go.
She races well fresh and could be undefeated first-up if not for a head second in the Listed Quezette Stakes last preparation.
The barrier is a touch sticky, but she gets the services of Vlad Duric who has been in good form since arriving in Brisbane.
2 Units – Skirt The Law (7)
RACE 7 - 3:08PM: BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1000 METRES)
Vodka Martini (5) resumes here looking to add another win to his already impressive record of six victories from nine starts.
The Kelly Schweida four-year-old finished last preparation on fire, winning three races in a row including his only start over this course and distance where he sat outside the lead before dashing clear to win by 1.8 lengths.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Cejay Graham, who claims 1.5kg, let them go and settle handy.
He races well fresh so a bold showing can be expected from the flashy chestnut.
1 Unit – Vodka Martini (5)
RACE 8 - 3:47PM: LISTED BRISBANE MILE QUALITY Handicap (1600 METRES)
Jimmysstar (5) looks the logical tip here given the southern form he brings to the Brisbane Mile Quality Handicap.
The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old gelding was luckless last start in the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes when never seeing daylight and finishing 4.2 lengths seventh.
He opened this preparation with a strong win at Caulfield before being beaten a half-length in The Elms Handicap second-up.
The kiwi import won five in a row so definitely has ability and if he brings his A game then he may put this lot to the sword.
2 Units – Jimmysstar (5)
RACE 9 - 4:23PM: LISTED PRINCESS STAKES (1600 METRES)
Exotique Miss (2) is a tough filly that keeps rising to the challenge and will need to again in the Princess Stakes.
The Michael Nolan-trained daughter of Under The Louvre is looking for her fourth win in a row.
She won by a massive 10 lengths over 1500m here in January before being sent for a break.
The Toowoomba galloper returned in impressive style with a 2.5 length win but went to another level last start when showing incredible fight to defy a wide gate and win the Listed Daybreak Lover.
She will have to overcome the car park draw but she has the necessary early speed to cross and find a prominent position.
While the draw is far from ideal, everything else is in her favour so I'm getting in her camp.
1 Unit – Exotique Miss (2)
