Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ESPRIT DU JOUR (9) just ran into one better here on debut and will have derived a stack of benefit from that day at the races. Can get off the mark this time. SER JOH (3) resumes but revved up for this with a dominant trial victory here and any market confidence must be noted. NOVEMBER SUN (11) was well in the betting on debut and where there's smoke there's fire. Respect from the Dunn barn. DISMANTLE (7) was well fancied on debut last start but ran below expectations when fourth over 1200m at this track. Better for that run and in the mix.
RACE 2 - The well-related AUTORA (11) (half to G3 winner and G2 placed Tempt Me Not) has been consistent without winning hitting the top-four in seven of her past eight starts. Draws low for Maloney and can finally shed the maiden tag here. NAGAMIE (3) has finished runner-up in three of four starts to date and the step-up to the mile looks to suit. Rates a serious threat. ARGERICH (10) is improving with racing and gets in light with the claim. Top-three candidate. NAPA VALLEY (4) also hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner Capital Gain) and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. May earn some minor money. LA COMETA (15) strips fitter third-up from the spell and can trouble the judge with any luck in running.
RACE 3 - Tricky race to assess with many of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade ALLY (10) has been knocking on the door of a maiden victory hitting the top four in all four starts to date including placing over this track and trip last time out. Should be ready to peak third-up from the spell and rates as the one they all have to run down. BOOMROUX (1) looked handy placing here on debut before being tipped out for time to furnish. Tuned up for this with a recent trial and can make his presence felt while fresh. CELESTIAL BLAZE (4) is at the races for the first time but has shown ability at the trials and any market support should be trusted. OCEAN ANNA (12) is sure to be well-educated from the astute barn and can run a race on debut.
RACE 4 - The penny has dropped for ARISPHERE (6) who has won three of four this preparation and it's hard to ignore mares in form. Has to be included. SHE'S A ROGUE (7) will be rock-hard fit for this, draws the inside alley and gets 2kg off with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. KELLY'S LANDING (9) got the job done at Ipswich last time out and is sure to have taken some confidence from that victory. Top-three conveyance. MR GALAZI (1) best of the rest.
RACE 5 - LARRIKIN ROGUE (9) returned from a lengthy spell with a close-up third here and is sure to have come on with that run now under the belt. Has won two from three when second-up and a strong showing would not surprise. BLAZEN BOOTS (7) has won around this circuit and will be near his peak now fourth-up from the break. Top-three commodity on best form. OUGHTON (1) gets Maloney in the saddle and can improve on recent efforts. One for the exotics players. The well-related BEAUTANTES (3) (half to G1 winner Startantes) next in line from the Heathcote stable.
RACE 6 - INTUITU (1) returned to the winners' stall over this track and trip at the latest effort and will take a stack of confidence from that dominant victory. Gets 2kg off from the inside marble and should give this a mighty shake again. SIMPLY REFUSE (5) will be rock-hard fit for this and is usually thereabouts. Sure to be hitting the line with gusto. THE IRISH (4) has been just behind the placings in both runs this campaign and will be ready to peak third-up from the break. Top-three candidate on best form. IMPUNITY (7) has gotten better with each run this time in and looks one for the multiples. BEDFORD SQUARE (2) also gets some weight relief and may earn some minor money.
RACE 7 - Looks a wide-open affair. VELOZES (10) resumes here but the form she showed in her first campaign was good enough to feature in a race like this. Can run a race while fresh. Former NSW galloper RUNWITHTHETIDE (1) was well in the market at his local debut and where there's smoke there's fire. Strips fitter second-up and can improve enough to feature. ADORADEC (12) gets in well at the weights with the claim and looks one for the exotics. PIVOTAL LAD (4) must be respected fresh.
RACE 8 - SUNLORD (7) is one from one over this distance range and gets the deadly Gollan/Maloney combination. Best figures measure up. DISNEY CASTLE (8) gets 1.5kg off with the claim and must be respected from the Waller stable. Don't discount. LUDOVISI (3) in the money two starts back at this track but couldn't back that up when unplaced over 1400m at this track last time. Worth including here. DIANA'S AFFAIR (2) rates an each-way hope from the good draw with Jones aboard.
RACE 9 - ROCK YA (7) got the job done here two back before maybe suffering from the dreaded second-up syndrome last time out. Will strip fitter third-up from the spell and can bounce right back to form in this contest. YOU KAY SQUEEZE (12) is racing in a rich vein of form of late with a win and three placings from her past four outings. Hard to ignore mares in form and rates a serious candidate. KIRIKAN (5) will find this easier than his past two Saturday metropolitan outings and gets a jockey upgrade with Maloney on top. In the mix. THESECONDATPORTSEA (4) is a winner around this circuit and gets 2kg off with the claim. Can trouble the judge.
