Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ESTICON (10) finds the maiden win elusive but has shown glimpses of ability, only denied by a neck at the latest. Comes in on the fresh side four weeks between runs and will be sharpened with the blinkers going on first time. Bold showing anticipated. ROYAL TRAPEZE (6) progressed nicely at the latest when beaten a lip at Halidon. Fitter again and should be hitting his peak. Can go one better. JUSTA STAR (11) was an eye-catcher when resuming at Murray Bridge two weeks ago. Draws much kinder this time and gets in well again at the weights with the 2kg claimer engaged. Can give this a big shake. HISWAY (2) has mixed his form since resuming. Holds some interest on the short turnaround. Don't dismiss.
RACE 2 - BOUNCING BEYOND (8) was denied by the barest of margins two back of shedding his maiden tag. Not as effective in town at the latest but this is nowhere near as tough. Holder sticking adds confidence. Leading player. NAVIGLI (12) was much better at the latest. Further improvement to come third-up. LEAVING LAS VEGAS (11) is a Pierro gelding on debut for the smart juvenile stable of Phillip Stokes. Closed off nicely into the placings in a recent Murray Bridge trial. Expected to make his presence felt. DARK HELMET (9) warmed to his task nicely late last start. Will head straight back from the draw and be saved for the final shot at them.
RACE 3 - RICH LADY (9) progressed sharply second-up when beaten a lip at Murray Bridge. Kept fresh for this and gets a great chance to finally get off the mark. TOOWANDA (13) has shown more ability than her form suggests. Has kept the legs ticking over with a nice trial in between runs and should be hitting her peak. Just needs some luck from the wide draw. GINGER SINNER (5) wasn't able to live up to his market support on debut last start. Blinkers on will sharpen him. Watch for sharp improvement. MERCURY EIGHT (1) Has shown plenty of early dash in his last two starts, only to fold late. Drops back in trip and is drawn to advantage. Will be in this for a very long way. REPTILIAN (8) wasn't far away when resuming off 382-day break. Treading with caution second-up but warrants respect.
RACE 4 - RICHE D'AMOUR (2) is going better than his form reads. Will appreciate the drop in grade and is going well enough to get the job done. THE STALKER (1) wasn't far away when resuming in town at the latest. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt and is aided again at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged. Main danger. NOSIE BY NATURE (3) was only beaten 2.5L in the last when resuming at the latest. Is another that steps back in grade and rates among the leading players. SWISS WISH (5) improved nicely at the latest when digging deep to get off the mark. Tougher this time but deserves respect.
RACE 5 - PUISSY GALORE (4) hasn't been anywhere near her best in her last two but gets a perfect chance to turn things around. Better suited over the added trip and will appreciate reuniting with Jake Toeroek. Sharp improvement is anticipated. WE'VE GOTTA DEEL (2) has bounced back to form in his last two, beaten by narrow margins in both. Can go one better on the quick turnaround. WARRANDYTE ROAD (5) failed to fire a shot at the latest in testing conditions over 3150m at Mt Gambier. Willing to forgive on the form prior. BENZ BARON (6) will be doing his best work again.
RACE 6 - IN LOVE (5) was much better at the latest when tackling a similar grade. Mixing her form this prep but her best has her right in the finish. LANCELOTTO (3) has struck a purple patch of form, scoring in his last two. Tackles a tougher line-up but deserves respect. RICHED (1) is also going too good to ignore as he shoots for four straight. 3kg claimer stays on to aid the big weight. JIMMYS EDGE (6) was too bad to be true last start. Shoulders a handy record over the track and trip and is worth keeping safe.
RACE 7 - GRUELLING (9) has improved with each run under his belt this time in. Peaking now and gets a great chance to get the job done, will just need some luck from the draw. PULAMBI (11) was an eye-catcher fresh but failed to live up to market expectations here at the latest. Blinkers going on first time should help sharpen her up. Expecting sharp improvement. TIME WARRIOR (15) lengthened nicely and fought hard to hold down a minor placing here last start. Hasn't won for a very long time but deserves respect. CLASSY REBEL (13) wasn't beaten far at the latest. Is another that doesn't win out of turn but does boast a strong record over this journey. Don't overlook.
RACE 8 - SIR PANAMA (6) was a barnstorming winner here two back. Not as effective last start but still closed nicely late to make some inroads. Not as tough this time. Leading player. FIGHT FOR FREEDOM (9) knuckled down gamely to fend off all challengers last start. Full of confidence now and keep it going on the short turnaround. APPLIED (10) warmed to his task nicely over the concluding stages when resuming here three weeks ago. Fitter and will appreciate the added trip. Gets his chance to break a long run of outs. FIZIQUE (4) and DIVINE FIRE (7) will be doing their best work late and are worth keeping safe.
