Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MAGIC MAX (6) only warmed to his task late last start as a well-back commodity, falling 0.5L shy of the winner. Sure to have come on with that run under his belt. Can atone. KEEP READING (3) is a model of consistency for the R & C Jolly camp and rarely finishes far away. Rates highly on best figures and will once again be giving himself every chance from the inside alley. Can give this another big shake. QUEMAN (2) was given a short break after his Morphettville success. Kept ticking over since with a huge trial win at Oakbank. Sure to be making his presence felt. VALIDATED (4) resumes and goes well fresh. Was a barnstorming winner at Murray Bridge when resuming last time in. Strips fitter for a soft trial and is drawn low. One of the key chances. STAR HILLS (5) did his best work late to grab third last time. Fitter now third up and should be kept safe.
RACE 2 - ARUGAMAMA (6) doesn't win out of turn but has been warming to her task nicely late all throughout this campaign. The rise in trip will cause no concerns. Expect her to have a bit on these. REGAL VALOUR (8) progressed nicely last time out to finish just a long neck from the winner over this track and trip a fortnight ago. Tougher this time but is open to further improvement. EAGLELOU (4) struggled to fire a shot when resuming at the latest. Capable of much better and can improve quickly. In the mix. TRUMPSTA (3) lengthened nicely here last start to get the verdict by the barest of margins. No tougher this time and is worth considering.
RACE 3 - HALLSTATT (1) caught the eye fresh off a long break when rattling home into the frame. Reunites with Lachlan Neindorf who has a win when partnering. Should prove hard to stop. DELCREDERE (3) made considerable ground in the run home at the latest to finish a fast closing third. Drawn to settle much closer to the action this time from the inside draw. Main danger. LANCELOTTO (4) has been thereabouts in his last two. Should be cherry-ripe now and doesn't have to improve much to be winning. TAN TAT BEAU (2) can bounce back third up off a disappointing showing at the latest. Don't dismiss.
RACE 4 - BIRTHDAY SUIT (1) is a genuine type with five minor placings from eight starts this time in work. Continued the trend at the most recent appearance when finishing in the frame over this same trip at Ballarat. Only needs to hold his form to be very competitive. PRETTY RELIABLE (6) was an eye-catcher two back at Murray Bridge when rattling home to narrowly miss. Not as good at the latest but can turn things back around quickly. ALASKAN STORM (2) scored two back at Geelong and then wasn't beaten far when finishing sixth at Mornington. Meets some better types this time but is open to further improvement at this stage of the prep and drops back to a winning trip. One of the key chances. HEAVY ROTATION (3) and JILLADORA (4) next best.
RACE 5 - AMMO AMOR (2) has been knocking on the door for a while but just struggles to land the winning blow. Ticking along nicely and doesn't have to do anything different to be playing a major role in the finish again. SPACE EQUITY (6) knuckled down gamely to get the verdict last time out at Bordertown. Expect this to be slightly tougher but a similar effort will put him right in the thick of it. VINO DECASA NOSTRA (4) hasn't threatened the winner in his last two but gets weight relief now and returns to a winning track and trip. Suitably placed so can turn things around. SHADOW HAWK (8) next.
RACE 6 - BRISTLER (6) was poised to strike when resuming at the latest but looked to lack a fitness edge late. Happy to forgive on best efforts in what's an easier assignment. Expecting him to bounce back in a big way. PRESS DOWN (2) is a genuine four-year-old gelding who resumed with a solid second last time out at Morphettville. Will come on from that run and he is a winner at the only previous second-up attempt. NOBLE MAGNATE (8) is a promising type ready to make his return. Has won when fresh from a spell in the past and strips fitter for a smart trial at Morphettville. Jake Toeroek reuniting is a big push for his chances. The resuming MERCHANT BOSS (4) and narrow last start place-getter THE GOV (1) are next best.
RACE 7 - THE GUAVA (8) has been thereabouts in his two runs back without running into the frame. Strips fitter now and the rise in trip suits. Cherry-ripe now. MASTER AT ARMS (13) has caught the eye in his two runs back, missing narrowly on both occasions. Drawn to go back again but is sure to be charging hard late. MISS KERMIE (10) sat on the pace and stuck on well to score by a nose over this course and distance last time out to build on a solid first-up effort. Likely to be there at the finish again. NEODIUM (1) best of the rest.
RACE 8 - LOVELY LOOKIN' (2) found it a bridge too far last start in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield. Shoulders her share of ability and strikes a much more suitable assignment. Expected to bounce back sharply. ANGELIC APPEAL (10) followed up her fresh win with an eye-catching finish last time at Gawler. Drawn sticky but doesn't need to do much more to make her presence felt again. DODD (9) turned in a nice effort last time out at the second run of the campaign when he did his best work late to finish third here. Taking on a better line-up this time but he has the ability to mix it with them. NASHO (4) next best.
