Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SKY LAND (13) spiked her figures narrowly beaten in an Open 3 at Hobart. Presents at peak fitness and Newitt is reunited. She's the galloper they have to beat. CELTIC ROSE (12) missed by a similar margin here in a Maiden as a $3 favourite. Fourth up the speedy filly will get every chance to make amends. GEEGEEHAILSTORM (6) won a trial and resumed here with a decent effort from a wide barrier. Has an inside gate and can keep improving. NEED A GIGGLE (3) gives away starts but he will be running into it.
RACE 2 - THONATUS (6) resumed with a nose defeat over 1400m and then stepped up to a mile narrowly beaten. This fellow has raced well at Stakes level and Newitt is a key jockey switch. Fitter again and is ready to win. DISTRUSTFUL AWARD (1) resumed off a longish break and caught the eye late beaten 1.6L over 1400m. He'd switched from the top West Australian stable and needs this trip and longer. He's good enough and the betting will be key. RALPH THE ROCKET (4) was back to his best beaten a whisker in the Thonatus race. He's a hope but will need a Pires special from the outside barrier. AFFAIROFTHEHEART (8) maps well and can build on her Maiden win.
RACE 3 - Trinder-trained PAULARTES (12) resumed here over this trip beaten 1.2L. She'd switched from a Victorian yard and hasn't missed a beat. Has an awkward gate but will go close with the extra fitness. MISS PRIVATE (11) missed a whisker over a mile following an improved effort prior. She's had plenty of chances but this isn't hard and Pires sticks aboard. MISS PEBBLES (10) has had even more starts but there was a lot to like about her near miss here last time. Has the rail and a senior hoop takes over from the 3kg apprentice. She rides MAKARSKA SUNSET (9) who spiked her figures when narrowly beaten this trip second-up. She has more upside than most but will need luck from a cruel barrier.
RACE 4 - Tricky. CHARTWELL HOUSE (3) has switched from the top Victorian barn on a 30-day return. Brings strong figures from tougher races and he will position forward from a handy barrier. Newitt's booking suggests he's pleasing the new stable. FAKE MAGIC (2) deserved the 68 win here and then tackled Open grade at Hobart and was plainer albeit well supported. On an 8-day backup and maps better today. He can bounce. SUSHI EXPRESS (8) resumes and is up to this if presented fit. He races on-pace and goes well this course and distance. The 5x winning rider is back aboard. ZOLTAN (4) has switched from a Victorian yard on a 32-day return and rates well. Gives away starts but has to be kept safe.
RACE 5 - Competitive. ASVA (1) had been threatening before winning this grade and trip by a space. Maps well again and can go on with the job. LI'L HAIL MARY (6) led and just missed here first-up at this level. She's also proven second-up and has the gate speed to skip across and sit handy. Newitt is a key jockey switch replacing the apprentice. ISLAND WARRIOR (2) is third up and should be ready to find her best. That would have her right in the finish. The 2kg claim is handy. BLOOMTIME (7) deserved the heavily bet 60 win over this distance. A chance to repeat the dose with average luck in the run.
RACE 6 - Another good contest. GEEGEE JET BY (2) resumed with a tidy win this grade. He's much improved and maps for the run of the race. Pires stays in the saddle and fitter he can take the next step. ALTAI RANGER (7) took out the 60 here as expected following the switch from a Victorian stable. He will run along from an inside gate and should keep improving. He's sure to give a sight. VERBANO (4) resumes for John Keeps and has won 3/7 fresh. Has a handy 2kg claim is easier grade and has claims. PEACE BE UPON HIM (3) will be sharper second-up and has pieces of form that would see him in the money.
RACE 7 - The promising MS TASMANIA (4) resumes seeking the hat-trick off easy wins. She was backed off the map in an Open 2 last time and owns two trial wins. She will be naturally improved and is sure to take beating. DANCING WOLF (6) peaks off two wins and it was comfortable last time. Has a 2kg claim and races forward. Sits down in the weights is a quinella hope. Ditto BINE (1) who is also fourth up and she's busting to win. Has to manage the outside barrier and that's a slight niggle. RED FOX (3) is racing well and is still shy of his Victorian best. He's in the mix.
RACE 8 - SUN HALO (1) was quickly back in the winner's circle winning comfortably over this distance. He can use the inside barrier to his advantage and keeps improving. Rates to be winning again. ELEGANTLY WRITTEN (4) won over 1400m bouncing back from a heavy track flop. Maps well again and will be in the finish. MONTE FLEUR (3) peaks and the mile will suit better. Pires sticks aboard and she can sit closer. She also has claims. ALWAYS A WINNER (2) brings a win and a nose defeat at this level. The 2kg claim remains handy but he needs some luck pushing over from a wide barrier.
