Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ALIBIS (7) put the writing on the wall last start when she charged home late to just miss out over 1000m on the Parks course, her first placing from seven runs. Wide gate is a little concern, but she strips fitter and can improve further. OOCHIE MAGUCCHEE (13) started favourite and looked to have every chance on debut last time out but could only manage fourth, clocking in two lengths astern of Alibis over 1000m. Will take a lot from that run so she can improve sharply. LOVE SO SWEET (12) has had a stable switch and returns from a five-month spell. Best of three runs in the maiden prep was a close second on debut at Cranbourne. Market watch recommended. Victorian COOL CHARLIE (4) has placed 4/5 at this trip so don't let him under the guard.
RACE 2 - GOLDRUSH GURU (1) opened this prep with a couple of wins over 1250m then stepped up to 1550m last start but found Talisay too good on the Parks circuit. Will take a bit from that hit-out and Johnstone's 3kg claim is a big help. TALISAY (4) took a sit then quickened impressively to win a BM68 over 1550m on the Parks track last time. Meets Goldrush Guru 4kgs worse for a two-length margin so she might need to improve a little to win again. Maiden ATHANATOS (2) has been in the money at all five runs this prep, the latest over 1420m at Flemington as a $2.15 favourite. Expect that form to stack up in Adelaide so he gets his chance. DARKNCONFIDENTIAL (3) dominated in a Murray Bridge maiden recently. Faces a much stiffer test today but he is heading the right way. STAR CASINO (5) would need to improve at least ten lengths to beat any of these home.
RACE 3 - ZARKANA (5) has been getting a long way out of her ground in races and finding the line well. Went around at $2.50 last time over 1536m here but gave away too much start and was never in the hunt. Keen to see how she can transform with the blinkers on for the first time today. RABTAT (1) appreciated the step up in trip last time out over this trip at Murray Bridge, coming from a long way back to just arrive in time. Very effective at this distance and should hold the form at only the third run of the prep. SIR RANDOLPH (3) led but couldn't run out a strong 1950m on the Parks track recently. Three runs at the mile have yielded two wins and a placing. Sure to be competitive. COURS VITE (2) is back from a five-month spell for a new stable. Usually needs a mile and a half but with blinkers on while fresh he could surprise. PETA'S HEART (7) thrashed a maiden field at Balaklava recently when lining up for just the second time. Don't underestimate.
RACE 4 - The freewheeling LONGER ROUTE (3) has been in outstanding form this prep. Made it two wins in a row last start when he shared the lead into the straight then extended in great style to score over 1550m on the Parks track. Tackling a slightly better race today but he can get the job done again. STRATUM PRIDE (7) added to a frustrating run of minor placings when she worked home late to get up for third last Saturday over 1550m on the Parks circuit. Very effective miler who will be about the money again. DUVACH (4) settled back in a small field before making some late inroads over 1500m at Ballarat recently. Fitter for two runs back from a long spell and the blinkers coming off for this slightly longer trip may be significant. LOMAX (9) returned to form last start with an eye-catching effort at Murray Bridge. Will give away a start but watch for him late. CULLEN SKINK (2) appreciated the step up in distance and drop in class last time. In the mix again.
RACE 5 - SIXTEEN REASONS (7) has started at $7 or less in her last six runs but cannot win. Picked up in good style last start over 1250m but found one better on the Parks circuit. The application of blinkers may be the missing piece so give her another chance. KEEP READING (1) last appeared eight weeks ago when he found the classy Mornington Glory and others too slick around Moonee Valley. Loves this trip so back in an Adelaide Benchmark race while fresh he is a definite contender. RIVKIN (5) has been in the quinella at all four runs this prep in western Victoria. Boasts a fine record at five furlongs and he won't know himself with just 53.5kgs after the claim. PLUS FOURS (6) improved sharply last time out when a close second over 1200m here. Won't mind coming back in distance and he should be peaking at the third run back. Dual black-type placegetter GRINZINGER PRINCE (3) resumes. Goes well fresh and gets all the favours out of the inside alley.
RACE 6 - The consistent IMPORTANT PRODUCT (2) comes to town on the back of some fine recent efforts. Stalked the speed then drove hard but just missed in a thriller over this distance at Balaklava last start. That form should stand up. Distance specialist who looks the one to beat. LIMITED RISK (3) led for the judge but was cut down late over 1350m at Strathalbyn last time out. Was beaten under a length three runs ago at his only try at this distance. Serious threat. The lightly raced CHAKADO (1) is back from a 28-week break. Led all the way to win on debut over this distance at Pakenham last February. Recent trial winner who looks up for this. TUPOLEU (11) was 39 days between runs when a decent third over this trip at Murray Bridge recently. Fitter and worth some thought. FLAMBARD (7) caught the eye first-up at Murray Bridge and did win at this stage last prep.
RACE 7 - Sparingly raced mare SILVER CLIFF (6) changed tactics and took a sit last start over 1100m at Hamilton before going on to record her maiden victory. Tackling a better line-up today but she is progressing nicely and looks ready to step up to six furlongs. CARARADA (7) came from next to last on the bend to be beaten just 1.6 lengths when resuming over 1050m here three weeks ago. Placed 5/7 at today's trip so she should come on with the run under the belt. MISS REMSKI (5) has been safely held in her two runs this time in work. Significantly she is the winner of both races when third-up, both at this distance, so she is anticipated to improve sharply. OUR SHINING STAR (2) appreciated the 32-day let-up when a barnstorming winner over this journey at Balaklava on 21 August. Big chance again with the gap between runs. KRISTOBEL (4) resumes and is capable of a top four finish while fresh.
RACE 8 - SANTASTICO (2) doesn't know how to run a bad race. Came off a six-week let-up last time when beaten a whisker over 1200m at Balaklava. Small query coming back in trip but he maps nicely behind a strong tempo and should have plenty to offer late. WINNING REVOLUTION (3) returned to form last time out, closing late but finding one better over 1100m at this track. Gets back again from a wide draw but is capable of some big final splits. MISLUDI (18) had a seven-week break before her eye-catching second in a Class 2 here at this distance last start. Fitter and makes plenty of appeal. BRISTLER (4) hasn't threatened in his two runs this prep but his third-up stats read well so give him another chance.
RACE 9 - TIPPA (2) has raced twice since a nine-week break and impressed on both occasions. Sat just behind the leading division then closed well to grab third in the Listed Balaklava Cup over 1600m last start. Will be cherry ripe now and the extra furlong is ideal - he has won twice and placed once in three goes at 1800m. ON THE SCENT (10) rarely runs a bad race. Stalked the leader then fought hard but had to settle for second last time out over 1950m at the Parks track. Draws a better gate today and is well in after the claim. Looks the obvious threat. CRIMSON VINE (3) found 1536m a bit slick when resuming recently. Ran second to The Map in the QE2 Cup in May. Still needs further but at this stage of the prep he is capable of troubling this field. MOTORACE (12) is racing well. Comes here off a seven-week let-up so he might need the run but can sneak into the top three. DUAL FUEL (5) ran on late when resuming over a shorter journey last time. Likely improver.
