Best bet | Race 7 #3 Aussie Nugget

This year’s Toowoomba Cup looks a race in two between Bartholomeu Dias and Aussie Nugget but I’ll stick with the latter as he still has improvement to come after the last start win at Doomben when only third-up in his preparation. He won with a bit up his sleeve there, suggesting he can further improve into this run in the Toowoomba feature. Whilst he’s yet to win beyond 1800m, he performed well in Melbourne city class staying events well beyond this 2000m range. Last preparation he won at Caulfield when fourth-up on the campaign, so he appears to be right in his sweet spot to notch another win. Bartholomeu Dias looks the clear danger but happy to take him on given his only two wins in Queensland have come on the unique Eagle Farm surface. There is an abundance of pace in this race and Aussie Nugget will sit back before finishing strongly.

Next best | Race 8 #12 Mass Destruction

Happy to be with Mass Destruction in the Weetwood. He gets in with 54.5kg here off a first-up run that was simply outstanding. He went back to last and wide in the $100,000 quality event at Doomben and motored late to almost reel in the talented Weona Smartone. Ben Thompson was basically riding him along the entire event to keep up with what was a hot pace – a far from suitable scenario for a horse first-up. His second-up record is good, only missing a place once from five attempts. I’d prefer he got a good track here, so hoping the rain doesn’t have too much impact. He’s drawn wide but will sit midfield or worse with cover. Strong winning chance.

Best each way | Race 5 #6 Irukandji

Thought he looked way over the odds at near-double figures. Formerly with the Michael Costa yard, this 7yo is now prepared by gun trainer Annabel Neasham who is knocking up winners in Queensland. Irukandji comes into this off a strong first-up effort when winning at Eagle Farm. That was a much easier race, but he should be improved from the first-up effort. He’s not a renowned fresh horse, so the fact he was able to win early in the preparation suggests he is enjoying racing in the sunshine state and has come back better than ever. From gate four he should get the perfect run just off the speed and be saved for one run at the leaders.