Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky. ESPRIT DIVA (10) debuts owning two trial wins. Maps well enough and this is a winnable assignment. The betting will be key. MILTON (3) resumes and has trialled well x2. Will be naturally improved and showed enough early doors to say he's a chance Draws to advantage and Pires is a key jockey booking. STAR WALKIN' (7) is third up and back on the turf. He has more to give and Newitt is a positive jockey switch. Each way. NOTORIOUS OUTLAW (5) is a former Queenslander who led beaten 1.8L here first up before fading badly on the synthetic. Fitter and better back on turf. In good hands and is likely to stick on a lot better. BUNKER BOB (1) has trialled well for his return but the apprentice has to manage an outside barrier.
RACE 2 - Tough. PHERE THE GIRLS (11) is third-up and went close on the synthetic last time. She can use the rails gate and Pires is reunited. In an in-form yard and is ready to win. LOVE NEST (9) was narrowly beaten twice at Hobart before a close-up effort on the synthetic. Maps okay and gets in well with the 2kg claim. She's a decent chance. FOREIGN LEGION (1) has threatened all preparation and is holding the form. Prefer him back on the turf and to a sprint. Has the speed to manage the wide gate and Newitt is a key jockey switch replacing the 2kg apprentice. LIGHTMEUPJAZZ (8) should be ready to show more and her best synthetic form would see her around the mark.
RACE 3 - SKY LAND (8) is a leader who brought strong turf form to resumption when narrowly missing on the synthetic. Raced even money in that and fitter she can deliver the overdue win. ARTILLERY FIRE (3) debuts and has looked sharp at the trials. Won her last here easily and Pires is a key jockey booking. Has the outside gate but a bold effort is likely. WILD NIGHTS (9) improved again when beaten a whisker on the synthetic. Her turf form prior had been threatening and she keeps a 2kg claim. Will use the inside gate and is a player. BILLIE THE GREAT (4) trialled well and missed a whisker on debut (synthetic). She's trialled sharply here since and maps to advantage. Fitter and can keep building. Ditto TUSKEGEE (2) also went close on debut (synthetic). Has a senior rider aboard today and he also deserves consideration.
RACE 4 - A small field but very competitive. FIGHTING FLOYD (3) bounced back in style winning a 72 at Hobart by 4.3L. Has a strong sharp record at this track and over the distance. Has been kept on the fresh side and can go on with the job. FAKE MAGIC (1) has been narrowly beaten his last two on the synthetic in better class. Just as good on the turf and the 2kg claim helps some with the weight lift. Go well. CHARLIE BUCKET (2) was expected to win first-up and ran out of puff on a heavy track. He's won 2/3 second-up and is back in grade with a 2kg claim. Has been briefly freshened and is right up to this. DAYAN STAR (4) continues to race well and has been freshened. Newitt sticking is a positive and he's also a hope.
RACE 5 - ROWING POWER (6) was narrowly beaten at Hobart and then again on the synthetic over this distance. Keeps improving and is ready to win. DYNAMIC DEEL (1) has threatened x4 on the synthetic since the switch from a Victorian barn. Is still shy of his turf peak and Newitt sticks aboard. A winning chance with average luck from the awkward barrier. LAUNNIE NIGHTS (4) just missed at Devonport in the Rowing Power race and peaks for this. Has the rail and 2kg claim and is also in the mix. PINANDI (9) has more to give but the outside barrier makes it tough.
RACE 6 - Competitive. LILY LUELLA (7) just missed here and at Hobart and then disappointed when well supported on the synthetic. Has an awkward barrier but can get back on track. I'M KEEFE (11) led and went close at Hobart finding more like his best. He's been freshened and kept up to the mark with a sharp trial here. Controls the race and is in light with the 3kg claim. GODDESS OF ROCK (10) spiked her figures narrowly beaten on the synthetic responding to the addition of blinkers. She gives away starts but may have turned the corner. WHO CAN IT BE NOW (5) draws wide but brings a synthetic win and will be around the mark.
RACE 7 - ZULU ANGEL (2) deserved the 68 win on the synthetic over this distance and three back was nudged out here over the same trip. Maps for the run of the race and keeps a top hoop. He can go on with the job. METAVERSE (7) was beaten a whisker by the above, quickly back on track, and he has turf form that also stacks up. He can use an inside barrier and is a chance today. GOLDEN PROPHET (4) peaks and is busting to win. Won his only start at this track/trip and has more to give. PAGE (10) missed a whisker in the same contest. She's been up for a while but gets in well with the 2kg claim and always puts in.
RACE 8 - FURNEAUX (3) threatened twice at Hobart before delivering the win here in a 72. He found the stronger class - and a heavy track - more than he could manage last time. This suits better and he draws low and will run along. 3x winning rider Pires is reunited and he can bounce back. BETTER THAN BANKSY (1) is third-up and has more to give. Newitt sticking aboard is a positive and he will get every chance racing forward. QUICKEN UP (4) seeks the hat-trick off synthetic wins. Her form hasn't been as good on the turf but she keeps the 2kg claim and is a chance. MAKE A DECISION (5) is knocking on the door but doubt the rails gate will advantage.
RACE 9 - KENSINGTON DIVA (1) has to manage a wide gate but her Victorian form reads well for this. She's back after 36 days for the Carr yard off a 1.4L defeat at Bendigo. Finds easier and the betting will be key. BLONDE STAR (2) resumes and is up to this if presented on song. Owns a trial win and the in-form Byrne Burke sticks from that. The late betting will tell plenty with her as well. TURF PUZZLE (8) peaks and measure her chances on the narrow defeat at Hobart two-back. She will push forward and has the handy 2kg claim today. A chance. BATCHY BULLET (3) resumes and has trialled well with race rider Pires aboard. She raced at Stakes level and would be a chance if presented forward.
