Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BETTER SUN (1) improving with racing and a win looks imminent. Sat on the pace with the 59kg when a fighting third over 1175m at Albury on June 7. Likely to go straight to the front today and take running down. KUROKAREN (6) back in trip for this and the blinkers come off. Made up good ground late from the sticky gate when fifth over 1200m at Wagga on June 17. Gets weight relief with the claim and expected to figure prominently. PUSHALOT (2) three runs have been encouraging and will appreciate this easier assignment. Stalked the speed when a close second over 1080m at Canberra Acton on June 14. Blinkers come off and the winkers go on. Gets her chance from the gate. MISS BATURINA (10) will appreciate the firmer track today after struggling in the heavy (9) going when sixth over 1000m at Wagga on May 31. Go on placing two back when assessing her chances.
RACE 2 - MISSOUK (1) returns from a five months spell and has excellent first-up figures. Raced with distinction on the provincial circuit at her last two preps and will relish the drop in grade here with the 3kg claim. Since fitted with a recent trial at Randwick over 740m. Expected to go close. BAGGAGE HANDLER (2) showed a ton of ability last time in and resumes from a six-and-a-half month break. Taken to the front at second outing and never headed when a slick 1.4 len winner over 1065m at Wagga Riverside on December 22. Looked ready to go when a sharp 1000m trial winner at Wagga. Will prove hard to stop from the good gate. SOO KISS ME (4) consistent filly who resumes from a lengthy break. Won her maiden two back before finishing second over 1175m at Albury on January 22. Ran third in a recent 900m trial and the stable has engaged a 3kg apprentice. Stays in the mix. SMUGGLER'S ANGEL (5) mixing form and fitter after three runs back. Has the numbers to figure in the minor money.
RACE 3 - STEVE'S WAY (7) lightly raced filly with the two wins from six starts. Will relish the drop in weight and extra trip after catching the eye late when sixth over 1400m at Wangaratta on June 20. Backs-up quickly and reunites with Simon Miller. Will prove hard to hold out. FOX APPEAL (2) has a good record over this trip and a month between runs when he powered late to finish fourth over 1400m at Albury on June 7. This is much easier and expected to be strong late. CHAR (6) fitter after four runs back and should find this easier after wilting badly when eighth over the 2000m at Wangaratta on June 20. Looks good value for the exotics. NIC'S HERO (4) back in trip and never comfortable on the Canberra Acton track when last over 1280m on June 14. Back in grade and improvement anticipated out to the mile.
RACE 4 - SWEET PAREE (12) returned from a lengthy break when stalking the good tempo for a narrow second at Narrandera over 1000m on June 15. Jump in trip suits and can go one better today at fifth race start. OIMBARI (10) clearly strengthened over the break when she returned for a fast finishing second over 1400m at Narrandera on June 15. Finds her race today and expected to be strong late. VIA VEGAS (4) strong return two back when placing at Wodonga before failing to stretch out in the going when tenth over 1300m at Echuca on June 13. Fitter now and can easily return to form on the firmer track. DHANUSH (1) is back after a break of four months. At the last run before the layoff he finished fifth over 1400m at Wangaratta. Can kick off with a bold showing.
RACE 5 - MAGMETRIC (1) fitter after two runs back and much better performance when a slick 4 len winner over 1175m at Albury on June 24. This is tougher but finds a fairly weak C3. All three wins have come at this trip and expected to prove hard to hold out again. GO ELLIE GO (5) building a nice win record and resumed with a slick on-pace victory over 1175m at Albury on June 7. Goes well this track and trip and the 4kg claim should see her play a major role. STAR BUYER (2) is a five-year-old gelding having his first run for the Matthew Dale yard barn. Showed ability in Victoria last time in and returns without a trial. Tongue-tie comes off and look for him late. ALTROVE (4) up in grade and trip when tired late to finish ninth over 1400m at Wangaratta on June 20. Races well here and can add value to the exotics.
RACE 6 - TIZSO FAB (6) handy gelding due for a change of luck. Just over three weeks between runs in the soft (7) going when a fading seventh over 1400m at Echuca o June 13. Fitter now and go on his strong second two back when assessing his chances. SMART POPPY (5) resumed in good order when finishing over the top of his rivals in easier company with the 62kg when scoring over 1200m at Narrandera on June 15. Goes even better second-up and no reason he can't win again. BONVALANTE (7) surprised at big odds on resumption when he charged late from well back to score a commanding 1.2 len victory over 1200m at Wagga on June 17. This is no tougher and only rises slightly in weight. GRIFFINSTOWN GIRL (18) mixing her form on the Goulburn circuit at her last five runs and should find this more to her liking. Drawn to stalk the good tempo and has genuine each way prospects.
RACE 7 - HULM (6) racing in career best form and can win again with the 3kg claim after turning in a dominant display when scoring by 3 lens over this trip at Seymour on June 16. Has the speed to get across from the wide gate and prove too slick for these. HEART OF VANCOUVER (8) two runs back have been encouraging and much better performance when he launched late from well back to secure second over 1080m at Canberra Acton on June 14. Will get back again and be strong late. MIGHTY FEAT (9) tough gelding who turned in a much better showing when a close third over 1200m at Echuca in easier grade on June 13. Won this track and trip and will be in this for a long way. GOGOL (1) third-up today and won third-up in the past. Struggled in tougher company this time in and expecting more today with the 3kg claim. Can run into the minor money.
