FORM PREVIEW: Thursday night selections

ALL eyes will be on Brisbane this Thursday night with five outstanding heats of the Group 1 Brisbane Cup (520m) set down for decision at Albion Park.

The cracking program also hosts the four-dog Superstayers Invitational over the 710 metres, featuring the champ Tornado Tears and last week's Gold Cup winner Bago Bye Bye up against Ella Enchanted and outsider Bago Bluff.

With some terrific racing on right around the land, we've come up with some of the better bets of the night, along with quaddie selections for the five feature meetings.

Thursday night form guides

NOTE: Times are listed in Australian Eastern time.

ALBION PARK – Race 3 (7.28pm) Number 6, BLACK OPIUM

Granted she wasn't at her brilliant best in last week's Flying Amy Classic Final but expecting a return to winning form in tonight's opening Brisbane Cup heat. I like her when she's drawn a bit wider and last week wasn't the first time she hasn't looked entirely comfortable from the inside. Ran a blinding 29.54 in her Flying Amy heat a fortnight back and at around the $2.40 mark tonight she represents good value. There's no substitute for class.

SANDOWN – Race 6 (7.49pm) Number 8, JARO BALE

Very talented pup is Jaro Bale, starting his career off with six wins from just the 13 starts. Steps out from the pink for the first time tonight chasing three wins on the bounce after blinding recent wins at The Meadows in 29.73 and 29.77. Efforts at Sandown have been good and with fresh air for the first 30 metres tonight can see him charging into the first corner and putting some slick time up in victory.

DAPTO – Race 5 (8.49pm) Number 8, MY BRO BRUNO

At around the $4.00 mark expecting this fella to give us a good run for our money in what's a strong – but even – middle distance affair. Interestingly his last two wins have been from box eight, he's missed a place just once in seven Dapto starts, and his recent efforts have been better than what they appear on paper in good company. Right in this and the odds is appealing.  

HOBART – Race 6 (9.13pm) Number 7, SHE'S A PRINCESS

Classy Breeders Classic Final where She's A Princess looks a fantastic chance at around the $2.50 mark in early betting. Unbeaten in three Hobart appearances, she has won six of 11 overall and with her good early pace box seven should give her every chance to carve down across and set up enough of a break to land the prize. Big show – she's definitely going places with this another stepping stone tonight. 

DAPTO – Race 7 (9.28pm) Number 1, ZEST TO EXCEL

Really interesting race with betting suggesting only two possible chances, Zest To Excel and Stony Broke. Zest To Excel hasn't won at her past six starts but she comes to Dapto for the first time with the aid of box one and it wouldn't surprise me if she's trialled well either. Tackles an in form Stony Broke who comes into this as the winner of two from his last three, the one to beat. At the slightly better value though I'm keen on Zest To Excel, her efforts recently have been good despite not being in the winners' circle.

LAY: DAPTO – Race 3 (8.04pm) Number 6 BLINKEN BILLY ($2.30)

Comes into this with three wins on the stretch and the small field suits … BUT he runs into a couple of handy ones tonight in Sunburnt City and Salute To Excel and from box six may get out of his ground early. Not saying he can't win, but at the $2.1 early doors prepared to look elsewhere. 

BEST BET: ALBION PARK –Race 3 (7.28pm) Number 6, BLACK OPIUM

BEST VALUE: DAPTO – Race 6 (9.10pm) Number 3, ZOMBIE

BEST QUINELLA: ALBION PARK– Race 7 (8.58pm) Numbers 1 & 3, ORSON ALLEN & SENNACHIE

QUADDIE PLAYS:

SANDOWN PARK (1st leg @ 7.25pm): 1,4,6 / 3,4,8 / 1,3,8 / 2,4,7 

ALBION PARK (1st leg @ 8.13pm): 1,2,3 / 1,5 / 1,3 / 3,7 

ANGLE PARK (1st leg @ 8.40pm): 1,8 / 1 / 1,2 / 2,4

DAPTO (1st leg @ 8.49pm): 5,6,8 / 1,2,3 / 1,3 / 2,3,5 

HOBART (1st leg @ 8.52pm): 1,4 / 2,7 / 7,8 / 1,4