Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BERNAY (6) is an eight-start maiden with her hoof on the till. Returned in good order with a narrow third over 900m at Albury on July 8. On the quick back-up and no excuses from the good gate. KUROKAREN (8) big improver at latest when running on late to secure third over the 1000m at Corowa on July 1. Gets in light again with the claim and looks one of the main dangers. TIME ANGEL (4) showed good early speed on debut before fading to finish seventh over 1100m at Wodonga on June 29. Strips fitter now and the inside gate is a bonus. Check betting for debutant DEKADANCE (10). Trialled well enough at Goulburn back in January.
RACE 2 - MR SHORTY (6) sharp improver at second race start when up in trip for a comprehensive 0.5 len victory over 1620m at Donald on June 22. Finds a fairly weak race today and drops in weight for this. Expected to go close again. JAZ TYCOON (2) two runs back have been sound and stretches out to this trip for the first time. Strong on the line with the 61kg when a narrow fifth over 1400m at Pakenham Synthetic a week ago. Placed here two-back and a win looks imminent. MOUNT HOTHAM (4) has been a model of consistency this time in and finished a handy third to Toes In The Water two-back at Goulburn. Bred to get the trip and stays in the mix. THE WOKE WAITER (5) much better performance when up in trip for a plugging second over 1600m at Albury on July 8. Has the ability to take a hand in the finish.
RACE 3 - SEMPER FORTIS (4) racing in career best form and a total forgive after failing to handle the heavy (9) going when ninth over 2130m at Canterbury in BM72 class on July 10. Go on his two earlier runs when returning good figures in town and on the provincial circuit. Expected to bounce back to form. ALCHIAN (1) has the four wins from 20 starts and saves his best for this distance range. Sat on the speed with the 61.5kg when a nose winner over 2100m at Ballarat Synthetic on July 14. Gets weight relief with the 3kg claim and can continue on his winning ways. KNIGHTS ARMOUR (2) back in grade and ploughed through the heavy (9) conditions when a slick 6 len winner over 2145m at Goulburn on July 5. Takes on stiffer opposition here but racing too well to dismiss. FIFI BLUE (6) put the writing on the wall last time over 2100m at Narrandera when second and beaten half a length. In the mix.
RACE 4 - SWING CITY (13) is a 10-start maiden who gets the blinkers on for the first time after having no luck from the wide draw when sixth over 1180m at Gundagai on June 29. Lone placing came at this track and finds a fairly weak race. LET'SAVALOOK (12) had mixed luck in eight starts and ran on again when fifth over 1180m at Gundagai on June 29. Fourth-up for this and has the figures to play a leading role. JEDINAK (5) two runs back have been sound and unlucky not to win here five starts back. Desperate for the 1200m and has each-way prospects. BONNYVILLE (2) was below his best two back at Goulburn then ran a much better race last start when third over 1175m at Albury. Don't underestimate.
RACE 5 - LASER GUIDED GIRL (10) returned to form with the claim when an eye catching second over 1400m at Gundagai on June 29. Gets in light again with the 4kg claim and should get the right tempo to finish over the top of these. CHIPSTAR (9) starting to find form and will appreciate the drop in grade today. Sat on the pace when a gritty fourth over 1200m at Corowa in C3 grade on July 1. A repeat of that will see him take stopping. KERMA ART (3) trained on the track and got off the mark two starts back. Drifted back from the wide gate and made up many lengths late when fifth over 1400m at Gundagai on June 29. Expected to take a hand in the finish. SORRY SUNSHINE (2) resumes today after surprising at latest when coming from near last for a tenacious victory over 1200m at Wagga Riverside on February 25. Returns without a trial and not to be underestimated.
RACE 6 - BRIE BRIE (13) at her top for this and will relish the drop in grade after finishing fourth over 1200m at Narrandera on July 14. Claim helps and in her right grade today. KITTY KARINE (14) settled well back last time out then found the line strongly to finish 3 lengths away in seventh over 1200m at Moruya. Expected to measure up. DEEP CORE (4) not far away on resumption when a close-up fifth over 1000m at Albury on July 8. Can add value to the exotics. INVETERATE (5) form since resuming has been disappointing, last start finishing eighth over 1080m at Canberra Acton. Has ability and is a definite top three hope.
RACE 7 - BEFORE THE WAR (13) up in grade when shuffled back to finish a disappointing eighth over 1100m at Wangaratta on July 6. Previous efforts were sound and reunites with Nick Heywood. BRIMIN (11) got off the mark at start five with a convincing maiden win over 900m at Albury on June 24. Finds a fairly weak BM58 and the 3kg is a bonus. Has top-three claims. LITTLE MISS GRACE (10) last two runs have been full of merit and will relish the good early tempo. Look for her flashing late at good odds. SOO KISS ME (12) did a good job last start to finish just 1.1 lengths away in third at her first run back over 1000m at Corowa. Genuine galloper and cannot be discounted.
RACE 8 - WHAT A PEACH (11) tough mare who relished the drop in grade when a gritty nose winner with the 58kg at Moruya on July 12. Looks up to this with the drop in weight from the low draw. No surprise to see her win again. LOOSE LOVE (9) races best with his runs spaced and back in class at latest when a fighting winner over 1300m at Goulburn on June 21. Drops significantly in the weights with the claim and gets his chance from the draw. TORETTO (3) has sound figures over this track and trip and placed to perfection here after racing at the provincials at his last two outings. Winkers come off and look for a sharp form reversal. GOGOL (6) much better performance last start with the 59kg when sitting on the speed for a gritty fourth over 1000m at Narrandera on July 14. Desperate for this trip now and gets in light with the 3kg claim.
