Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WADAANA (12) has been knocking on the door throughout this campaign and should be breaking through soon. Has plenty of early dash and is drawn to advantage from the inside pillar. Bold showing anticipated. LOCH FYNE LADY (8) loomed up and stuck on gamely into the placings when stepping out on debut at Bordertown back in February. Likely improver off the break but will just need some luck from the wide draw. LOVE YOU BELLE (9) also returns. Showed positive signs in the maiden campaign without breaking through and gets a key jockey booking in a fresh Kayla Crowther. Expect her to be making her presence felt. SOMAURUM (10) was no match for a dominant maiden winner at Edenhope first-up but did a good job to hold the rest of the field at bay. Improvement to come and is worth considering.
RACE 2 - SHAKE'N'BAKE (8) finds the maiden win elusive but it certainly hasn't been without trying, placing in 6/9 starts. Continues to attract strong market support. Only needs to hold his form to be featuring again. RHINESTONE RORY (7) chased soundly into a midfield finish when resuming at Balaklava 11 days ago. Sure to have come on with that run under the belt and has in-form hoop Samuel Payne sticking from the favourable draw. Big chance to break through. JACOBS GATE (3) improved nicely second-up when closing off solidly into the frame at Balaklava. Should be nearing his peak now and warrants a lot more respect. BONANSKI (1) again showed good tactical speed last start at Mt Gambier, this time finding more in the lane to hold down a minor placings. Gets in well at the weights with the 2kg claimer reuniting. In the mix.
RACE 3 - MELISSA KATE (4) chased gamely into a midfield finish last start at Murray Bridge when tackling tougher opposition. Strikes a more suitable assignment this time and is drawn much kinder. Leading player. THUNDER PARK (6) looked to be nearing another win before finishing rearward at Geelong. Gets weight off with a return over the border and has the ability to put the recent poor run behind him. READY BY DESIGN (2) returns and makes his stable debut for Sharni Julian. Is a winner fresh and over this trip. Expect him to race prominently form the low draw and have something to offer in the lane. ENLIST (9) was nice winner fresh but has been nowhere near as effective in his next two. Keep safe on best efforts.
RACE 4 - CHANTISS (11) doesn't win out of turn but improved sharply second-up at Gawler when beaten less than a length. Strikes a suitable assignment and can take the next step and salute. LIMBERING (6) was doing his best work late when closing off nicely into fourth in his first run back at Ballarat Synthetic. Switch of yards between runs and can play a major role with a touch of improvement. FIRST TOSEN (1) has been in the market at his last couple of runs but failed to threaten. Worth one more go. GARRIRE (3) ran a better race last start when just missing the frame in fourth at Balaklava. Not without claims on best efforts.
RACE 5 - PORTATION (1) returns and will be looking to emulate his win at Gawler at the beginning of last prep. Has his share of ability and is a leading player. GRAND HOST (4) has hit the line fairly in both runs back without threatening the winner. Strips fitter third up and gets a key jockey switch in Crowther piloting. Backmarker who keeps coming. Will prove tough to hold off. TRUSTFALL (8) has stuck on soundly into fourth in both runs back this campaign. Cherry-ripe now and is expected to feature in the finish. GAME COVE (11) didn't give his rivals a sniff last start when leading pillar-to-post at Mt Gambier. Tougher this time but is sure to be giving himself every chance again up on the speed.
RACE 6 - PULVERISER (1) found the line nicely last start to just miss the winner at Penola. Drawn out but does go back and work into his races. Interesting to note the application of blinkers first time. Expect him to be featuring at the business end. D'ISLES (9) has hit the line nicely in her last two, finishing alongside King Of Avalon at the latest. Expect her to head back from the draw and be climbing over their backs late. Gets her chance to break a long run of outs. KING OF AVALON (5) has narrowly missed the frame in his last two. Doesn't win out of turn but only needs to hold his form to be competitive in this field. MANGIONE (2) doesn't boast the best winning strike rate but ran a nice race last time out, finishing second and beaten only a head at Edenhope. Best figures measure up and he's worth including.
RACE 7 - REDWINELOVER (8) just missed the frame in fourth last start at Gawler after racing on the pace for much of the way. Is rock-hard fit and is sure to give a great sight from the favourable draw. MR WHITACRE (17) wasn't able to justify the short quote at Warracknabeal but still chased soundly into second. Strikes another winnable race and is drawn well for Tourneur. Key threat. OAMARU POPPY (14) didn't give her rivals a sniff at Mt Gambier when leading pillar-to-post. Gets in well at the weights again and has enough early dash to offset the wide alley. Expect her to be in this for a long way. JUSTICA'S BONUS (1) was in the money two starts back at Strathalbyn but was less effective at Penola last time. Fitter and can give this a shake.
