Track: Good Weather: Fine

Ten three year olds have accepted for the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic.  Six are geldings, two are colts and two are fillies.  Two had their last start in the Fred Best Classic and two others ran in a benchmark 65 at the Sunshine Coast.  The race favourite Ayrton will again create a lot of interest.  His unbeaten run came to an end at Eagle Farm last start when he was narrowly defeated by Apache Chase in the Fred Best.  He appeared to have every chance but has plenty of talent and is capable of making amends here.   The second favourite is Ellsberg.  He is a typical Waterhouse & Bott trained horse who likes to roll forward and make his own luck from the front.

Without Thinking has returned with three wins on the bounce and should be peaking from a fitness point of view fourth up.  Easy Campese is a last start winner and one of two New South Wales trained gallopers in the race, while Starosa and Glitter Strip are both trained on the track by Tony Gollan.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Ellsberg

Ellsberg has finished in the top three at seven of his eight starts.  Last start he rolled along out in front at Rosehill when second to Kirwin’s Lane.  Looks the likely leader again here.

2. Ayrton

Boom gelding trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.  He started a heavily backed $1.50 favourite last start in the Fred Best Classic and seemingly had every chance in the run when going down by a narrow margin.  His form prior was impeccable and the stable did hint he may have been half a run short.  First time trying 1600m but doubt that will cause him any problems.

3. Magic Conqueror

Back to his own age group after tackling the older horses last start but appears to be lacking the class to be winning here.

4. Easy Campese

Has won four from fifteen including last start in a benchmark 68 at Randwick.  Gets a positive jockey change with Tommy Berry going on.  Has an each way chance.

5. Without Thinking

Unbeaten this preparation.  Latest, he won a benchmark 65 by 2.3 lengths in good time at his home track on the Sunshine Coast.  Sharply up in grade here but is a lightly raced improver.  Wouldn’t shock to see him measure up at this level.

6. Mob Buster

Another trained at the Sunshine Coast.  He has come back in super order with two wins and a second from three starts this preparation.  Will need to improve again to play a role here.

7. Puntura

Kiwi gelding who has won four in a row across the ditch.  Appears to have plenty of talent but all his wins have come on soft ground.  The firmer track has to be some query.

8. Dune Forty Five

Was beaten close to seven lengths over 2210m at Ipswich last start.  Hard to make a case for him here.

9. Starosa

Three year old filly trained by Tony Gollan on the track.  She won her last at Doomben in bench mark 70 grade by 1.3 lengths.  Try’s the mile for the first time here.

10. Glitter Strip

The second of the Tony Gollan trained runners.  She wasn’t disgrace in the Fred Best last start and is in the mix for multiples.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
2. Ayrton	2. Ayrton
5. Without Thinking	1. Ellsberg
1. Ellsberg	5. Without Thinking
9. Starosa	7. Puntura

Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap 2021 (Eagle Farm 1400m)

Group 1 JJ Atkins 2021 (Eagle Farm 1600m)

Group 2 The Q22 2021 (Eagle Farm 2200m)

Group 2 Brisbane Cup 2021 (Eagle Farm 3200m)

Listed The Wayne Wilson 2021 (Eagle Farm 1600m)