Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - LADY SKYLLA (9) never looked likely when resuming here last start but did make some significant inroads late in the piece. Is drawn to go back again but is sure to have come on with that run under her belt. Will take some stopping late. PAINTED PONY (11) put the writing on the wall last start at Strathalbyn when charging home to just miss the winner. Kept on the fresh side with 24 days between runs and is drawn softly. Bold showing is anticipated. GOONSUN (1) was another eye-catcher last start when filling the frame at Murray Bridge. Draws his best gate yet and has Crowther sticking. Sure to be very competitive. SCHRODER'S MISTAKE (5) is a four-year-old son of Cable Bay on debut for the smart juvenile stable of Clarken & O'Shea. Has shown promising signs at the trials and can make a bright start. HURRY LOVE (8) knuckled down strongly to grab second when resuming at Mildura. Improvement to come and is among the chances.

RACE 2 - OUT OF SQUARE (8) was finishing at a rate of knots on debut, managing to fill the frame after turning a long way off them. Drawn much kinder this time and will appreciate the added trip. Bold showing anticipated. ROYAL MAJESTY (6) returns and shoulders her share of ability. Mixes her form with the toppy in Colmar and now gets a nice pull at the weights over him. Strips fitter for a nice trial in readiness and is expected to play a major role. COLMAR (1) progressed through his grades nicely campaign, capping the preparation off with a dominant win in the G3 Sires' Produce Stakes. Carries the big weight but deserves to. SNORE ROOM (4) next best.

RACE 3 - CAVITY BAY (8) struggled to make any headway late after finding herself a long way back at Flemington in the G2 Edward Manifold. Easier this time and her two runs prior have her right up to the mark. Blinkers on first time will have her sharpened. GOLDRUSH GURU (1) hasn't done much wrong this prep. Will be prominent from the draw and is sure to take another strong account of himself. DISCREETLY BLUE (6) was always well back last start against quality opposition in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley. Had savaged the line in his two runs prior. A similar run is anticipated here, watch for him climbing over their backs late in the piece. TALISAY (9) and WILD WINNER (10) will give themselves every chance up on speed and should be in this for a long way. Don't dismiss.

RACE 4 - NEW YORK SCANDAL (11) was a barnstorming winner last start on the Parks track over a similar trip. Tackles a similar assignment three weeks between and there's no reason she can't repeat the dose. AITCH D'AMICO (2) returns and while he's yet to strike fresh he comes through some strong form races from last campaign. Is drawn soft and is a distance specialist. Must be taken seriously. MERCHANT BOSS (4) has proven tough to catch in the past but has struck some form of late. Likely to drift back from the draw but will be charging hard late. LOMAX (7) is another that will get (right) back and be saved for the final shot at them.

RACE 5 - BEAUTY BOUND (15) was denied a head from resuming a winner at Murray Bridge in what has proven to be a terrific form race. Kept fresh with 31 days between runs. Drawn sticky but is expected to play a major role. HYPERNOVA (6) was a barnstorming maiden winner two back and then came very close to making it two on the bounce last start. Racing well and there's no reason he won't be right there at the finish again. IPHIMEDIA (7) doesn't win out of turn but is rarely far away from the action. Finished full of running last start at Cranbourne. Gets her chance to break a long run of outs. RUSSIAN BOBSHARK (2) returns and makes his stable debut for the Clarken & O'Shea partnership. Showed promising signs back in Vic and lead-up trial suggest he'll be forward enough. Don't take lightly. MERCURY EIGHT (8) deserves respect after leading pillar-to-post to shed his maiden tag. The resuming THE JOURNO (5) next best.

RACE 6 - DEEPFLOAT DIVA (5) has always promised a lot and has now struck winning form. Kept fresh with a 35-day break and is the one to beat. SIXTEEN REASONS (2) finally broke through for a well-earned victory here last start, scoring with a fair bit up her sleeve. Tends to miss the start, so expect her to be charging very hard late. ZANTHRON (8) has been a model of consistency this time in and boasts some handy formlines. Racing in great order and deserves plenty of respect. HOWL (6) had plenty more to offer last start but never got a full shot at them. Will head straight back from the draw and climb over their backs late. LOVELY LOOKIN' (12) progressed through her grades sharply last campaign, tackling some of the state's strongest 3YO races. Deserves plenty of respect. THE GOV (10) has spent a long time out of the winner's circle but is going better than her form reads. Gets a nice pull at the weights and is worth keeping onside at long odds.

RACE 7 - VINTAGE STAR (1) returns and is a noted fresh performer. Was a determined winner here when resuming last campaign when going forward and fending off all rivals. A similar run is anticipated. AZTEC DANCER (11) has a completely opposite racing pattern, preferring to be ridden cold before unleashing a strong dash home. Sets up nicely. MAGIC FIELD (4) wasn't beaten far here last start in what has proven to be a strong-form race, with three subsequent winners in 35 days. Is aided again at the weights with the 2kg claimer sticking. No reason he can't impose himself again. OVERSTATED (3) was a barnstorming maiden winner on the Parks surface four weeks ago. This is tougher but he deserves respect from the low draw and Holder sticking. FREE BEER (8) is next best.

RACE 8 - ZEBELLA (4) has returned in terrific order this campaign, unlucky not to make it two on the bounce when beaten a lip at Flemington. Peaking now and is sure to be very competitive. THE GUAVA (1) hasn't done much wrong this campaign and hasn't gone as bad as his recent form suggests. Will appreciate the drop in grade as he steps back to a winning trip four weeks between runs. Don't underestimate from the inside alley. Smaller cases can also be made for last-start winner NURYS (11).

RACE 9 - Open race to close things out with many live chances. TIPPA (1) is yet to strike through in three runs but comes through some good-form races. Peaking now and is aided again at the weights with the 2kg claimer sticking. Can get the job done this time. CALL ME VEXATIOUS (3) is ticking along superbly of late. Drops back to a winning trip three weeks between runs and is sure to take another strong account of himself. BIG STORY (8) doesn't win out of turn but is knocking on the door. Will undoubtedly drift back from the draw and be saved for the final shot at them. Could finish right over the top. EISHAA (14), ON THE SCENT (12) and NISHINO CRESCENT (7) also hold claims on best figures and warrant consideration.