Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MANUKA BAY (9) switched from a Victorian barn and placed first-up as a $2.50 favourite. Will be fitter and has plenty up her sleeve. Drops back to the shorter sprint but that shouldn't worry. RICH LADY (11) found one too good here first-up and is sure to have come on. Has been freshened and has had a tick-over trial. Can secure the run of the race and should go close. LITTLE BIT CHAI (8) looked good placing her first two starts and not much went her way the two after. Resumes from the rail and expect her to be naturally improved. Has shown enough to go into the quinellas. ALEXEIN (6) wasn't far away in town on resumption. That was a nice return to form but today the 2kg claimer has a wide gate to contend with.
RACE 2 - REGAL DANCER (8) resumes for the top barn and did about what was expected on debut. Was just nudged out in a recent city trial and Toeroek's booking suggests he's pleasing. He won't have to be much improved to take it out. RUSCHEYNE (13) missed a whisker here first up much improved and then found one better again at The Parks. Not sure what accounted for the flop last time but prepared to forgive. Has a handy 2kg claim and no surprise if she bounces back and threatens. NEVER SURRENDER (7) resumed in town and ran out of steam late. Will be much better for that and the in-form Holder stays in the saddle. Can secure a soft run from an insider gate and make the finish. ASTAIRES (1) found the grade a bit tough in town but was building nicely into that and he will be around the mark.
RACE 3 - HIT THE SLOPES (4) was only beaten 1.3L at Gawler and then raced a $3 favourite in town over 1800m and was slow away and couldn't pick up. Back to the mile suits as does this grade. Not sure the inside gate suits but he has a key jockey switch to the in-form Toeroek. Hits the race at peak and it's winnable. ZESTY SPICE (11) led over 1500m at Gawler when beaten 1L. He improved sharply and can keep building. Will skip over and race forward and keeps the handy 2kg claim. He's a quinella hope. TALL LETTER (8) has shown ability but is hard to catch. Has the blinkers applied for the first time and they may spark the required improvement. PARSONAGE LANE (7) kicks off his campaign over a mile. Clearly has the best figures presenting but they've been delivered over middle distances. Has a handy claim and it's worth keeping an eye on the late betting moves.
RACE 4 - FLEURIEU FLIPPER (1) was a big 58 winner here over this distance and then disappointed as favourite at Bordertown. Followed that with a solid effort in town in a 68 and that stacks right up for this. He can secure a soft run and is sure to take beating. BURNING BRIGHT (8) is an improver from the Gluyas yard. Won the Gawler Maiden and then raced a $3 favourite again there when missing a lip in a 58. Has 2kg weight relief this grade and the in-form Holder stays aboard. She should be right in it. SIPSMITH (9) had been knocking on the door before a plain effort against the above at Gawler. Winning rider Tourneur is reunited and it won't surprise to see him bounce back into the finish. MISS LANGTRY (5) has switched from a NSW yard on a 16-day return. Fourth-up and finally draws a low barrier. Is good enough at best and is a betting watch.
RACE 5 - EASTSIDE DIAMOND (4) showed potential in her initial campaign, including a tough all-the-way win on debut, and has matured over her spell. Her resuming run over this trip at Morphettville was very good and there was more improvement to come after that run. She copped a decent draw and should be very hard to beat. ROCK HARD (2) is a tough veteran who is normally at his best in this class and over this trip. He was under two lengths from the winner in fourth place last time out after setting the pace and he will be the one to peg back again. JIMMYS EDGE (1) did not kick on like he should have last time out but he could just be needing some racing to hit full fitness this season. He will have no such excuses third up and from another perfect inside gate, he can make amends. Stick with him. CATALINA BLUE (8) was far too strong for a soft field fresh up at Port Lincoln a fortnight ago and would only have to repeat that effort to be hard to beat again. Each-way.
RACE 6 - MYRTLE CREEK (1) is a former Victorian who won this grade comfortably first-up over this distance. It was a big effort after settling at the tail of the field. Presents fitter and despite the weight lift he looks capable of delivering again. LOTTO FIGHT (7) resumed in stronger in town and was only beaten 2.3L coming from the back. He's also improved and can sit handier today from an inside gate. He also carries 3kg more but should be right in it with the extra fitness. YEAH YEAH NAH (11) resumed this grade at Gawler beaten 1.5L. This is about her level and Pannell stays aboard. She's in the mix. STAR ESPRESSO (8) resumes and has won twice fresh. She'd be around the mark at a rpice presented forward.
RACE 7 - CHARLESFORT (8) is third up and ready to win. Comes back in grade and Toeroek is a key jockey switch. Draws low and the extra gear comes off. Has plenty up the sleeve and is suited. LANCELOTTO (6) has placed his last three and there was little in it at The Parks his latest in better class. Has the handy 2kg claim and hitting this at peak will go close. BROADWAY LANE (2) peaks and has been racing in better grade. Has more up the sleeve and placed his only start at this track. Gets in well with the 2kg claim but has to manage a wide gate and the longer sprint. SUPER SHARP (4) resumed in better grade and needed the outing. Has won second-up and has the rails gate and the handy 3kg claim. In the mix.
