The Sunshine Coast Turf Club takes centre stage in Queensland this Saturday with a nine-race metropolitan program that is highlighted by the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup.

It’s a race that trainer Steven O’Dea has dominated in recent times. He won the race as a solo trainer in 2017 and 2020 before teaming up with Matt Hoysted to claim the feature last year. The duo have a strong hand this year with three runners.

We’ve analysed each race and provided our top selections below.

RACE 1 – 1:03 PM AEDT – QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)

Mishani Raider (1) is on the quick back-up after coming off second best in a photo finish here on Sunday. The Les Ross-trained gelding was a touch unlucky but Justin Huxtable who rode the winner also outrode Jimmy Orman.

The son of Jet Spur ran very well last preparation when finishing in the placings in a number of Saturday two-year-old races.

He’ll strip fitter second-up and gets the benefit of the inside gate. Orman won’t take anything for granted this time around.

Suggested Bet: 1 units – Mishani Raider (1)

RACE 2 – 1:38PM AEDT – BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (2400 METRES)

Greek Hero (1) was doing typical Greek Hero things and getting trapped on the fence when full of running last start at Rosehill. Despite that he finished off well once clear to finish 2.29 lengths behind Irish Legend.

Trainer Jason Deamer brings the seven-year-old gelding back to Queensland for a winnable race. Two starts back Greek Hero showed what he can do with clear running by winning well at Doomben over 2000m.

He draws the outside gate here but that isn’t a bad thing with this guy as it will help Ashley Morgan avoid trouble and get him to the outside in the straight

Suggested Bet: 1 unit – Greek Hero (1)

RACE 3 – 2:13PM AEDT – No Metro Wins Handicap (1600 METRES)

Besides one blemish at Eagle Farm three starts back, Sailor (2) has been racing in great form this preparation.

The Kris Lees-trained five-year-old gelding won at Eagle Farm two starts ago before sprinting hard and fast to win over 1640m at Doomben last start.

Andrew Mallyon is undefeated in two rides on this horse and sticks here. He should be able to get his mount across and settle in the first four or five horses before launching as they straighten for home.

Suggested Bet: 1 unit – Sailor (2)

RACE 4 – 2:52PM AEDT – Class 3 Plate (1400 METRES)

Love Sensation (15) faced her easiest level of opposition last start over this course and distance when dropping back to a Class 1. As would be expected, the Tony Gollan-trained mare won in arrogant fashion.

While her record looks grim with just two wins from 22 starts, many of the races she has competed in have been at black-type level. In fact, she boasts a Group 3 placing on her resume. That makes here well weighted under set weight conditions.

She’ll strip fitter third-up and should be able to race in a prominent position for Angela Jones. She’ll carry just 53.5kg after Jones’ claim.

Suggested Bet: 1 unit – Love Sensation (15)

RACE 5 – 3:32PM AEDT – QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 72 Handicap (1000 METRES)

The King Of The Mountain has proven to be a terrific form race with the winner Yellow Brick running a cracking second in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas and second placegetter Alpine Edge winning the Magic Millions QTIS race.

Steady Ready (1) finished third in the King Of The Mountain at his last start. A super effort for the three-year-old taking on the older horses. The Tony and Maddy Sears-trained speedster drops back to his own age group here.

He’s been freshened and drops back to 1000m which is a plus. Angela Jones, who claims 2kg, can fire out of the gates and either lead or take the box seat. He looks like the testing material.

Suggested Bet: Steady Ready (1)

RACE 6 – 4:12PM AEDT – OPEN Handicap (1000 METRES)

There is no doubt that Queensland agrees with The Bopper (4). The Kris Lees-trained galloper produced a blinding turn of foot to win by four-lengths over this course and distance two starts back.

He then went to the Gold Coast and again came with a devastating finish but on that occasion, he just missed the win. Unfortunately, it favoured on-pace runners that day and he simply had too much work to do.

Lees will be wondering what he must do to draw a good gate as the son of Nicconi will again need to overcome a wide gate. However, in The Bopper’s favour is that there should be a good tempo set which will help him charge home with Andrew Mallyon in the saddle.

Suggested Bet: 2 unit – The Bopper (4)

RACE 7 – 4:52PM AEDT – QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1600 METRES)

Affogato Girl (2) has struck form at the right time for this race. Two starts back the Kacy Fogden-trained filly did her best work late to finish second to Ekaterina at Eagle Farm over 1400m.

Last start she worked home strongly to win with something in hand over this course and distance.

The daughter of Not A Single Doubt is drawn a touch sticky but there doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should allow Boris Thornton to slide across and find a good spot.

Suggested Bet: 1 unit – Affogato Girl (2)

RACE 8 – 5:32PM AEDT – LISTED SUNSHINE COAST CUP (1400 METRES)

The Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted stable has a tremendous record in this race and Tumbler Ridge (1) can deliver them another Sunshine Coast Cup.

The five-year-old won last preparation when first-up at Toowoomba so he can fire fresh. He looks to have a class edge on the majority of this field.

He ended last preparation on fire defeating Go Wandji and also winning the Doomben Mile.

From barrier 2, Boris Thornton will be able to settle in a great position to give his mount every chance.

Suggested Bet: 2 unit – Tumbler Ridge (1)

RACE 9 – 6:12PM AEDT – BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Fastconi (9) demonstrated his appreciation for the move to Chris Waller’s Gold Coast stable by impressively winning at Doomben over 1200m first-up.

Jimmy Orman rode him like the best horse in the race before the five-year-old gelding let do beautifully to win easily.

He stays at 1200m but the more expansive Sunshine Coast track will suit him. Orman can settle off the speed before setting his mount loose down the centre of the Corbould Park straight.

Suggested Bet: 3 unit – Fastconi (9)