Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - NEED TO THINK (4) led beaten 1L here first-up off a promising Maiden campaign. Trialled well into that and is advantaged by the low barrier and longer sprint. She's the one to beat. GODDESS OF ROCK (2) resumes for the Keys yard. She's good enough and placed her only fresh run. She will be naturally improved and will come late. PUZZLE MISS (5) was beaten 1L here over this trip. Maps well and can make the finish. RARE ORO (6) has also been around the mark. She risks getting bailed up from the inside gate but is also in the mix. SMASH 'N' GRAB (8) will be better for her first outing run for the new barn and Pires goes on. She may be next best.
RACE 2 - LOVE NEST (11) narrowly missed second-up spiking his figures. Maps for a soft run and a senior hoop takes over. Fitter again and the longer sprint will suit. She has plenty of tries but gets her chance. ALL ABOUT LUNA (9) fell 14 days ago over a mile but was narrowly beaten prior this trip. Will give away a start but will be finishing hard. SCARLETTI (4) led in the same contest but was swamped late. She just missed first up this trip and Newitt sticks. Fitter and is sure to give a sight.
RACE 3 - ES AND ES (2) brings a string of near misses and keeps improving. Coming back to the turf shouldn't bother and he gives every signal the middle distance will suit. RAFAEL'S RAID (10) peaks following a narrow defeat over a mile. He was heavily bet and he is ready for the longer journey. Gets in well with the 4kg claim but will need some luck in the run. AL MAXIMUS (8) is third up and knocking on the door. He can sit closer today and Newitt goes aboard for the 3kg apprentice. The step up in distance looks ideal. TAHITIAN WARRIOR (7) draws awkwardly but brings a handy Maiden win over a mile and can build on that.
RACE 4 - LIGHT OF ROSE (1) placed at Ballarat and then here 14 days ago both at 68 level. Newitt goes aboard today and will push forward. Peaks today and is suited. ANYWAYS ROXIE (4) brought strong form to resumption and raced forward missing 1L. She'd presented off two trial wins and is proven second-up She can use the paint and is a player. RUBBLE 'N' FUDD (2) was spelled off a promising Maiden win here on debut and raced favourite first-up but needed it. He will be sharper today and suited back on the turf. TURF PUZZLE (8) resumes and is a speedy galloper who impressed winning her Maiden here two-back. Pires sticks aboard and no surprise to see her race well.
RACE 5 - DAYAN STAR (2) has been kept on the fresh side since a heavily bet win here this grade and has switched yards. Keeps a gun hoop and has more up the sleeve. Fitter and can go back-to-back. ASVA (1) needed the first-up outing but is proven second-up and over the distance. Brings the best peak figures and should go close briefly freshened. BANCA TOM (7) went close behind DAYAN STAR here 28 days ago and can build on that. Maps for a soft run and Pires remains aboard. CAPITAL CHEVAL (8) comes back 250m off close-up efforts here and on the synthetic. Raced favourite in both and maps for the run of the race. Has weight relief and is in the mix along with ADACHI (3) who keeps threatening.
RACE 6 - FURNEAUX (5) resumed further improved winning a CL2 and then raced favourite again beaten 1L in a 64. That reads well and he gets plenty of weight relief at this level. Needs a good ride pushing forward but he will be fitter and Pires sticks with the Keys-trained galloper. LOVIN' BEV (2) is third-up and ready to fire. Runs along and was back to her best beaten 2.5L at Sandown last time. She has the early speed to manage the wide gate and will prove hard to peg back. MAKE A DECISION (3) rates well off his 64 win and it was a big effort after settling well back from a wide gate. He will give away a start but can keep improving and has winning claims. CREATIVE LICENCE (7) was a bit plainer last time heavily bet but had been threatening prior. Has a weight drop and is in the mix.
RACE 7 - Tipping the Keys yard holds the aces. NICCO THE GREEK (2) rates best and is proven fresh. Has placed 4/5 this course and distance and brings a tidy trial placing. Will likely race forward and the betting will be key. Stablemate VERBANO (3) resumed with a near miss and then was cruelled by a wide barrier following. Has the blinkers on again and maps for a soft run. Fitter and is a chance. The Victorian YOURAWAY (11) won her Maiden here as expected improving again. The lightly-raced filly will keep improving and can't be ruled out. CHAMPAGNE CINDERS (8) has been racing well on the synthetic and will be around the mark with average luck in the run.
RACE 8 - JOHNNIE PINCH (4) is a Listed placegetter over a middle distance and resumed with a near-miss over a sprint as favourite. The mile is ideal now and he has plenty up his sleeve. Maps well and is the one to beat. FIGHTING FLOYD (2) did a big job winning the 68 and then didn't have the best of it over this trip. Finds easier and has been kept on the fresh side. He can get back on track. AGNETE (5) peaks and has been knocking on the door. She will be sharper over this distance and watch for her late. BOUNTY BAY (9) finished ahead of the above in the same contest. She will be better for that and Newitt is a key jockey switch. She's in the mix as well.
