Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ONLY OLD ONCE (4) picked up impressively in the lane last start at Seymour to record her second win in her debut prep. Both victories have come on the rain effected so she should relish the anticipated conditions from the favourable draw. Bold showing anticipated. HOLMES (5) doesn't win out of turn but rarely turns in a poor performance. Only narrowly missed the frame last start at Murray Bridge when closing off nicely from a rearward position. Gets a key jockey switch in Pannell and is nicely placed to make his presence felt once more. The form of FAIR LEGACY (1) is too good to ignore but this does look tougher as she gets back on the turf. A case can also be made for ALMONTI (3) on best efforts.
RACE 2 - ZANTHRON (2) wound up strongly to miss by the barest of margins when resuming here three weeks ago. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt and will take some stitching. MIDNIGHT POKER (7) returns and makes her stable debut the Bain & Taylor partnership. Was a winner on debut at Stony Creek to kick things off so can run well again first-up. Balaklava trial win in readiness also adds to confidence. SIR NOW (11) followed up his debut win with a solid chase into the frame last start. Expect him to be nearing his peak now and the inside alley is another positive. Among the key chances. A smaller case can also be made for race-fit SHADOWFAX (4) who runs well at this venue.
RACE 3 - SMILING ASSASSIN (2) drove hard to get the verdict here in testing conditions two back. Wasn't far away from making it two on the bounce last start. In-form gelding on the quick turnaround. Have to consider. CHOSEN MISS (6) next best.
RACE 4 - KOMACHI (6) came from a long way back to score impressively over the track and trip three weeks ago. Plenty to like about that win and there's no reason he can't repeat the dose. LONGWARRY (9) picked up his second win of the prep last start when digging deep at Murray Bridge. Gets in light at the weights with the rise in grade but is drawn well and is among the chances. ESTRAPAZ (2) is yet to break through this time in but has been tackling solid opposition back in Vic. Has good early toe and is drawn to advantage. Expecting him to be the one they'll need to real in. BLOW IN (5) boasts a strong record over this journey and is worth keeping onside.
RACE 5 - HEINOUS (7) worked home strongly into fifth last month in the LR Oxlade Stakes at Eagle Farm. Before that was an impressive winner at Sandown-Hillside to break the maiden. Looks a talented type and expect to see her best and in the finish. SUPERCILIOUS (8) didn't give her rivals a sniff when leading pillar-to-post last start. This is tougher but should prove tough to reel in for her rivals with similar tactics applied. COLMAR (1) has progressed nicely this campaign and is racing in good order. Suggest he will have to find a bit more to be taking this out but looks the top hope out of the home defence. SNOOPY NOW (3) warmed to his task nicely to finish second at Murray Bridge in BM66 grade last week. Obviously much tougher this time but the rise in trip should suit him. Watch for him climbing over their backs late. FOUR ACE (2) next best.
RACE 6 - GAWNSKI (10) has threatened in his last two but showed good signs to kick off the prep. Comes in on off a 40-day freshen but has kept the legs ticking over with a nice trial. Was a nice winner over a similar trip to shed his maiden first-up. Expecting a sharp bounce back. BIT OF A REBEL (7) progressed nicely here second-up when just missing in third. Should be nearing his peak now and is drawn well over a trip he loves. Bold showing anticipated. CROWN MINT (5) surprised punters when chasing gamely into the frame at big odds last start. Goes well third-up and deserves a lot more respect this time. WILLYBEAFACTOR (3) is as true as the day is long and always has to be put in the numbers.
RACE 7 - TIPSY VIXEN (9) kept finding in the lane to score by a neck at Murray Bridge last start. Gets some slight weight relief with the rise in grade and is drawn favourably again. Can give this a good shake. EXTRA HOT (6) hasn't missed the frame in her three runs back this campaign, producing an eye-catching win two back at Gawler. Should be peaking now and is among the main chances. STARDEALT (3) was too bad to be true first-up at Bendigo. Has gone back to the trials and looked sound. Expecting sharp improvement.
RACE 8 - Competitive BM76 this. SIXTEEN REASONS (13) has spent a long time out of the winner's circle but is knocking on the door, flashing home to just missing in her last two. Well weighted with the 2kg claimer sticking and is drawn well. Ready to land the winning blow. EPISODIC (10) has been racing in career best form this campaign, adding another barnstorming win to the tally last start on the main track. Four weeks between run and inside alley are some queries for the mare but she's going far too good to not take seriously. SWEET BABY BOOM (8) also holds appeal.
RACE 9 - DARCEANDERMILL (12) put the writing on the wall last start at Moe when missing by a lip. Gets in well at the weights with the rise in grade and is drawn to take much closer order this time. Gets his chance to break a long run of outs. MERCHANT BOSS (3) hasn't quite been able to go on with it after making a mess of them in a tougher grade here three back. More than capable on his day and can't be dismissed. WINE BARRON (4) progressed nicely second up when beaten a long neck at Gawler. Further improvement to come and is among the winning chances. ALPINE BEAU (16) returned in terrific fashion at Murray Bridge with a barnstorming winning. Up in grade and will be looking to replicate that run from the draw. Keep safe.
