Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Small but competitive contest. SON OF SATONO (3) has been beaten a whisker here his last two. Has been mixing trips but this looks ideal and he's a live chance. CASANOVA MAN (1) didn't look to manage the heavy track last time but rates well off the Doomben Maiden win prior. Has a 3kg claim today and that brings him right into it. KENSHIN MARU (2) needs to find a bit more but goes into the trifectas at least. GINASUE (5) was closing off nicely late in the piece here last start. Don't dismiss.
RACE 2 - DEPUTIZE (5) resumes for the elite Neasham yard and owns a Deagon trial win. Maps well and has raced in stronger metro Maidens. He's been gelding and makes plenty of appeal. FRENCH EMPIRE (6) debuts for Neasham and has been well-trialled. Has an inside gate and the betting will be key. VICTOIRE D'AMOUR (14) debuts and brings a trial win and Beriman sticks from that. Has an awkward gate but the local deserves consideration. MODISTE (4) can go better back to the turf.
RACE 3 - HELLUVA BARTY (1) brings strong metropolitan efforts in stronger. Has the first-time blinkers applied and should enjoy a soft run. The 2kg claim brings him right into it. LOST HIS BEANS (5) keeps winning easily. No knock and coming back to a shorter sprint shouldn't be an issue off a brief freshening. HEARTONI (4) was quickly back on track winning a CL5 here by a nose. He has more to give and the 3kg claim remains handy. In the mix. GODFATHER (3) peaks and is going well enough to consider.
RACE 4 - Tricky. ZINOTAR (2) resumes for a sharp local yard and had one run last preparation and didn't come up. His metro form prior reads well and he's trialled well in preparation for this. Callow rides and is building a strong record with the stable. A bold return is likely. SNOW SHOW (9) debuts for the Kendrick barn and his recent trial was good. Expect him to go well with KWT engaged. SCOTTVILLE SCOOTER (11) races forward and wasn't beaten far here last time. Peaks and gets another chance. CHEERFUL CAT (7) rates similarly but needs luck from the outside barrier.
RACE 5 - AITUTAKI (6) resumed off Stakes grade with an easy CL1 win and followed with a nose defeat at Doomben 39 days ago. Has been kept up to the mark with a trial and fitter she can bounce back. MILLWARD (4) is ready to win off two threatening efforts at Ipswich. Is well placed and is a chance. QUEST OF QUESTS (8) also brings strong Ipswich form and is still shy of his peaks. Maloney sticking is a decent push for his chances. DIVAKARA (7) resumes and will be naturally improved. Maps well and has shown enough to consider. WORTH AVENUE (12) has switched to a top metro stable and has trialled well for the return. The betting will be key.
RACE 6 - Tough to assess and the race day betting will be instructive. Of the raced BOLD ARTIC (1) trialled well and missed a nose here on debut on a heavy track. She has the first-time blinkers applied and will skip across to the speed. Fitter and has the race fitness/experience. NOBLE DECREE (5) debuts for the Vandyke yard and has looked the goods at the trials. Callow sticks from the latest and is building a tidy record with the stable. Maps well and will likely be fancied. WATERTIGHT (11) is an I Am Invincible gelding stepping out on debut for the Hoysted team. Showed promising signs in his Deagon trial and gets a key booking in Mallyon. No surprise to see him feature. BEE TWO (18) also one to consider.
