Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MIDNIGHT MASS (1) fell just shy of bringing up the hat-trick here last start when running into a sharp one. On the quick turnaround and drops back to a winning trip. Another bold showing is anticipated. SEEKING GLORY (2) performed above market support last start on the Parks surface when chasing gamely to the line, only beaten 1.4L in fourth. Is drawn to take much closer order this time for in side alley and the rise in trip should cause no concerns. Can give this a big shake. CHIPSON (3) bounced straight back to form here last start when driving hard to score just seven days ago. One of the main hopes in what is a similar assignment. POINT BLAZE (4) went forward and proved too strong last time, scoring narrowly at Naracoorte. Tougher this time but warrants respect.
RACE 2 - Interesting race to assess with a stack of the main chances running into each other last start. KINETIC JEWEL (2) was the winner of that race and has continued to take the right steps forward in her debut prep. Had a bit on her rivals here last start and has winning hoop Kayla Crowther sticking. On track to repeat the dose. WALK LIKE AN ANGEL (3) led them up in that race and fought hard to the line but lacked a fitness edge late. Sure to have improved with that run under her belt and meets the winner with a 1.5kg weight swing in her favour. Key chance. KALASEC (4) only warmed to his task late when resuming in the same race and wasn't beaten far despite finishing out of the placings. Gets in 5kg better at the weights this time with the 1.5kg claimer engaged. Big chance to turn the tables on the winner. ANOTHERHOUSE (5) comes through the same race and looks best of the rest.
RACE 3 - ALL BEANS (3) booted up from the inside draw to lead last start and was there on straightening before being claimed to finish second. Strips fitter on the quick turnaround and gets in well at the weights again with the 3kg claimer sticking from a low draw. Will take catching again. DISCO TILMORN (7) was below her best here last start when tiring late. Gets 4kgs off her back now as she stays over a preferred trip. Can atone. IRISH MIST (4) couldn't bring up the hat-trick here last start when running into a determined All Beans. Meets him 3kgs better this time. Expecting sharp improvement. STAR JAN (2) was denied a lip of resuming a winner at Naracoorte. Good kick off and is a likely improver. Watch for her charging late.
RACE 4 - EN FRANCAIS (3) eye-balled the leader for most of the way here last start before taking over in the lane. Fought hard when challenged but ultimately came up short to Thirsty Guest. Meets the winner 2kgs better at the weights this time. Expect that to prove the difference on the quick turnaround. THIRSTY GUEST (4) dug deep to overhaul En Francais here last time. Will have to be just as good to win again but he is flying this campaign and he's every chance to go on with it with leading hoop Jake Toeroek partnering again. DANISH FORTUNE (5) has fought gamely to the line in his last two. Open to further improvement and should be able to take advantage of the low draw. Expect him to be in this for a very long way. THE GUAVA (7) was an eye-catcher last start on the Parks surface when rattling home from the back to earn a minor cheque. Don't dismiss. JACK THE LAD (1) strikes a much more suitable assignment after contesting the G2 Damien Oliver at Flemington last start. Not without claims.
RACE 5 - THE MAP (1) made an absolute mess of his rivals on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington when putting the best part of 4L on them. No tougher this time but has the big weight to carry. Expect him to prove too classy. MORTY (3) followed up his eye-catching run here two back with another strong performance here, when only beaten a long neck. Gets a 2kg weight swing on the winner Hasta La Fiorente but needs to go up another rung to threaten the fav. HASTA LA FIORENTE (2) was a determined winner here last start but will need to improve again. AMMO AMOR (4) let down in great style last time on the Parks track to score comfortably. Tougher this time but is in the mix. Fellow last-start winner WHATSANAMEGEORGE (6) also deserves respect.
RACE 6 - DAZZLING PROSPECT (5) let down impressively to get the job done in great style two back before a solid chase into the placings here at the latest. Ticking along nicely and gets weight relief. Expected to give this a big shake. HOBO BOB (7) hasn't taken a step wrong in his last two as he shoots to bring up the hat-trick. Similar assignment this time and gets some slight weight off. One of the key hopes. BIT OF A REBEL (2) is racing in great order and is yet to finish out of the placings this time in. Has enough early dash to offset the wide alley and the booking of leading hoop Jake Toeroek reads favourably. Big chance. PUNCHIN (13) has built nicely into this prep and a peak effort is imminent. Will just need some luck from the outside gate. VEE ROD (16) next.
RACE 7 - QUEMAN (2) is airborne and is yet to miss in his two runs back, the recent success being most impressive. Open to further improvement and is sure to make a strong account of himself again. The one to beat. CELSIUS STAR (9) is yet to break through this time in but has produced two bold showings. Gets in well at the weights with the rise in grade as he steps out to a trip he relishes. Is 2/3 third-up and should go well. STRUCK BY (4) gave backers a bold sight here last start, only to be nailed on the line. Fitter again and is sure to be in this for a long way. Will take some reeling in. MAGIC MAX (11) has warmed to his task nicely late in his two runs back and looks ready to peak. Watch for him taking the strongest strides at the business end. BELLINGER (10) and MY KHALIFA (3) also warrant respect on best efforts.
RACE 8 - SECOND TO NUN (8) has hit the line in all three runs this time in but continues to leave herself with too much to do. Gets the chance to take closer order again and she will appreciate stepping out the extra 100m on the short turnaround. Sure to make her presence felt. STARLITE VALLEY (1) didn't give her rivals a sniff here last start in a dominant front-running performance. Strips fitter on the quick turnaround and is aided at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged. Right in the mix. AZTEC DANCER (3) hasn't done a great deal wrong this time in. Comes in on the fresh side with a tick-over trial in between runs. Only needs to hold her form to be very competitive. LADY SIMONE (6) was a handy winner here two back but failed to follow it up at the latest. Worth forgiving on best efforts and leading rider sticking. EXALTED DAME (7) and BILLIE BRONX (5) also appeal.
RACE 9 - Competitive race to close the card. WAKANJEJA (9) has returned in career-best form this prep as she shoots to bring up the hat-trick. Expected to head back from the outside alley but is sure to be charging hard late. PRESS DOWN (2) has fallen desperately short of the winner in his two runs back. Should be nearing his peak now but has a sticky draw to overcome. BRISTLER (4) has been below his best in his two resuming efforts. Fitter now and can improve quickly. Right in the mix on best efforts. THE GOV (3) is going well without winning. Keep safe.
