Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BOONIE (2) improved sharply third-up when narrowly beaten at Murray Bridge. Expect him to be nearing his peak now and is drawn favourably for the 2kg claimer over a preferred trip. Leading player. ASTON RAPOVA (1) finished alongside Boonie last start. Meets him worse at the weights this time but is drawn better this time and gets the blinkers on first time. Shoulders a strong record over the track and trip. Serious chance. FOXY FEMME (8) has been hitting the line nicely over this journey all throughout this campaign. Suspect she wants further but comes right into calculations under the light weight. Expect to see her featuring at the business end. SQUAD (3) was a tough all the way winner two back at Cranbourne. Not as effective last start when tackling tougher opposition but is placed perfectly here back in this grade and from the favourable inside pillar. Expect him to give backers a very bold sight. CLASSY KENNY (4) next best.
RACE 2 - WALLY WEST (3) has been knocking the door for a long time. Gets in well at the weights with gun hoop in Holder sticking from a more favourable draw. Is ready to break a long run of outs. OVEREXTEND (1) dug deep to prevail in a tight finish last start at Gosford. Makes his stable debut for the Bain & Taylor partnership off a 44-day freshen. Goes well over this distance and can make an immediate impact for his new stable. PUTANOTHERCOININ (5) didn't threaten fresh but managed to make some late inroads when resuming at Murray Bridge. Better placed this time and is drawn much kinder with less weight to carry. Comes right into calculations. SHADOWFAX (8) next best.
RACE 3 - CLEITUS (4) lengthened nicely to get the verdict two back at Werribee. Followed it up with a reasonable effort at Ballarat when battling on into the minor placings. Should be nearing his peak now and is drawn to get all the favours with Holder taking over. Bold showing anticipated. ICHIBANSAN (1) hit the line nicely last start at Murray Bridge when notching up his second minor finish on the bounce. Steps out to a trip he relishes now and has had his share of success at this venue. Big chance. HAYAI MESU (9) is ticking along nicely without getting the desired results. Gets in low at the weights and rates highly on best figures. Worth good thought. DINGABLEDINGA (6) tackles a tougher assignment as he shoots for the hat-trick but has to be respected. TAPA CAPALL (3) should be nearing his peak third-up and is another that is in the mix.
RACE 4 - PRINCE JOFRA (4) is a course and distance specialist, unbeaten in three attempts. Milnes has built a great association with the gelding and can add to the tally. WORSFOLD (8) battled on soundly into a midfield finish last time out on the main track. Worth following on the short turnaround. PEACEMAKER (10) could only manage third when shooting for his fourth straight success. Shoulders a strong record over this track and trip and is another that holds appeal. NOT USUAL GLORIOUS (2) also comes right into calculation as he tackles one of his easies assignments in recent time. Expect him to give a great sight and not go down without a fight.
RACE 5 - LINGANI (5) has returned in strong form the campaign. Hit the line hard last time at Murray Bridge and gets the chance to take closer order this time from the inside stall. Tourneur sticks and can make a return to the winner's circle. STOKKE (10) kicked off as an impressive debut winner at Mt Gambier. Wasn't far away at her next start and then stuck on gamely behind a smart winner last time out. Expect to see the best of her today. DESERT DANCING (9) returns and usually runs well fresh, scoring dominantly first-up at Murray Bridge last campaign. Fitter for a trial placing in readiness and is drawn well. Winning hope. VINTAGE STAR (1) next best.
RACE 6 - OMANYALA (3) followed up his dominant debut win with a strong chasing effort to just miss last start at Sandown-Lakeside. Appears to be plenty more under the bonnet and can take another big step forward. LOVEY (9) fought hard to come away with the result last start at Pakenham. Obviously tougher this time but carries a fitness edge and is drawn favourably again. Expecting her to be in this for a long way. COLMAR (1) didn't give his rivals a sniff last start at Murray Bridge when leading pillar-to-post. Expecting similar forward tactics to be applied from the wide draw to give himself every chance. CAVITY BAY (7) was a brave front-running winner when resuming at Swan Hill. Needs to go up a rung or two but looks capable of doing so. BIG BRUTE (5) lived up to his namesake when winning with authority on debt at Balaklava. More to come from the gelding and is worth considering.
RACE 7 - GREAT MAXIMUS (7) is going better than his form suggests. Has tackled some strong races this campaign and now drops back to a grade he won in to launch the campaign. Could go either way from the inside draw but he carries a class edge. Leading player. KATIM'S CLUB (9) has hit the line hard in her last two. Shoulders a handy record over this journey and only needs to hold her form to be competitive. SACHEM (10) continues to knock on the door but is just lacking the winning blow. Expect him to head straight back from the wide draw and be saved for the final shot at them. BAMYAN BUDDHA (3) lengthened nicely to get close on the line when resuming at Murray Bridge. Improvement to come and he warrants respect.
RACE 8 - DASHING DUCHESS (7) took an honest account of herself two back in the LR Andrew Ramsden in what has unsurprisingly proven to be a good form race. Showed plenty of fight last start when knuckling down to get the verdict at Swan Hill. Will be looking to offset the wide draw quickly and should take plenty of reeling in for her rivals. DIXIE WHISTLER (5) found plenty to fend of chases and score a well-earnt win. Boasts a strong record over the track and trip and is highly intriguing on the quick turnaround. Main danger. LAKE'S FOLLY (2) beat home Dixie Whistler when last at the races three weeks ago. Meets her slightly worse at the weights this time but stays over the winning track and trip. Have to take seriously. BLUSHING TYCOON (14) rarely finishes too far away from the action. Gets some handy weight off his back and has senior hoop in Tourneur piloting. Well placed to give this a good shake.
RACE 9 - MERCHANT BOSS (8) made a mess of them two back here. Not as effective last time when sent out favourite but was far from disgraced. Loves this track and is sure to take a strong account of himself. BRAVE STAR (1) rounded them in great style to get the verdict here three weeks ago. Drawn ugly but has strong turn of foot and is expected to be climbing over their backs at the business end. BIT OF A REBEL (6) was only sound to the line when resuming at Murray Bridge but did have some excuses (lost plate). Is sure to come on with that run under the belt and boasts a handy second-up record as he steps out to a favoured trip. Right in this. ARTILLERY (12) drove hard to score and shed his maiden tag here last start. Has more to offer and is among the main chances. AIGUILETTE (16) was an eye-catcher last start at Murray Bridge when rattling home from a rearward position to finish third. Keep safe.
