Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CELTIC ROSE (8) improved sharply on the debut run beaten a half-length here three weeks ago. In good hands and fitter can go on with the job. BILLIE THE GREAT (5) was on the speed but didn't run out the longer sprint here 7-days ago. This suits better and Pires goes aboard. Peaks and has decent claims. POETIC LIGHT (12) trialled well and was only beaten 2L here on debut. The extra metres will suit but she needs a good ride. SAY IT WITH WORDS (4) will be better for the solid first-up placing. Maps well and has a handy 2kg claim.
RACE 2 - TUSKEGEE (14) improved again missing 1L here and then came back and didn't have the best of it heavily bet. Peaks on a 7-day return and deserves another chance. PAULARTES (12) is a former Victorian resuming for the Trinder yard. She's trialled well and is likely to be presented forward this time around. She won't have to improve much to fight out the finish. SCARLETTI (3) resumes and will need some luck skipping over from a wide gate. His fresh run at Hobart three-back stacks right up. AFFAIROFTHEHEART (6) was in the market but was cruelled by a wide gate first-up. Maps well today and has a handy 2kg claim. Prefer her over further but she also goes in at a price.
RACE 3 - ROWING POWER (5) has been nudged out his last three with his latest here over this distance. Maps for the run of the race and he can go one better. SUN HALO (6) has a similar profile but his last two have been on the synthetic. Uses the rail but has to hold the form on the turf. THE PRAYER (13) stepped up to this distance and recorded the deserved Maiden win. That stacks up and she may go on with it now. DYNAMIC DEEL (1) just missed in the Rowing Power race and Pires takes over. He can't be ruled out. IRISH STORM (11) draws awkwardly but can improve.
RACE 4 - LOVE NEST (4) deserved the comfortable Maiden win and that stacks up. Pires takes over from the 2kg apprentice. Will go close holding the form. SH'BOURNE MIDNIGHT (1) resumes and has trialled well. He just missed at Hobart on debut and was good there following. Will be naturally improved and has to be taken seriously. ELEGANTLY WRITTEN (2) is fourth up off a 54-day freshen and is suited in this contest. Hasn't had the best of it at her last two and finally draws a low gate. Better on dryer tracks but has decent claims regardless of conditions. CORSA VELOCE (5) resumed on the synthetic with an impression Maiden win. She's trialled well and coming back to the turf shouldn't bother. She will keep improving and is in the mix.
RACE 5 - I'M KEEFE (9) rides the speed and went close at Hobart and even close here following over a mile in this grade as the favourite. Childs takes over from the 3kg apprentice and coming back to 1400m shouldn't be an issue. Gets another chance. LAUNNIE NIGHTS (7) won a CL1 over a mile on the same day and doubt there's much between him and the above. He draws awkwardly but should go close. Ditto RING OF HONOUR (2) who is busting to win. Will give away a start but come hard. RODRICK'S SECRET (11) jumps from a rail with a 2kg claimer up. He just missed here over this trip three back and has been around the mark on the synthetic since. Has been kept on the fresh side and deserves consideration.
RACE 6 - CHARLIE BUCKET (2) raced favourite first-up but found it a tough ask on the heavy track. He won a trial following and then made amends winning a 66 as expected. Keeps the 2kg claim and maps for the run of the race. Fitter and can go on with it. SHARMA'S LAST (1) seeks the hat-trick off a comfortable win on the synthetic and is ready for the mile. His best figure was recorded in a 76 here over 1400m so coming back to the turf won't bother. Proven third up and has decent claims. GENERAL ASSEMBLY (3) peaks and is going well enough to feature. Childs replaces the 3kg apprentice. BLONDE SUSPECT (7) did enough in the same race to consider. Pires takes over from the 2kg apprentice.
RACE 7 - Tough. BETTER THAN BANKSY (1) peaks and is capable of better. Had too much to do here last time and this is winnable bringing his A-game. PASHEONA (7) missed 1L here three back and that's the best measure of her chances. Maps well and has been kept on the fresh side. Tumbles in weight and will get every opportunity. Stablemate RED SPHERE (6) will be sharper second-up and is good enough at best. Has been kept up to the mark with a tidy trial. CORNELIAN BAY (5) peaks and brings three placings from the synthetic. Pires rides today and the inside gate should advantage. Hasn't been placed in three starts here and that's the query.
RACE 8 - Competitive. FAKE MAGIC (1) has been nudged out his last three with the latest here this grade and trip. Pires takes over from the 2kg apprentice and he can go one better. HOT RELATION (6) deserved the 60 win here and that stacks up. Maps well and keeps the 2kg claim. A chance to go back to back. DAYAN STAR (3) always puts in and finished just behind Fake Magic last time. Has to be considered. GEE GEE ENUF SPEED (2) is also racing well and will find it easier than last time. On a 7-day return and also has claims.
