Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - PRESS EXPRESS (10) has been thereabouts in her two runs back, without breaking through. Should be hitting her straps now third-up and gets in low at the weights with Milnes claiming 2kgs. Ready to get on the board. BARRELLING (3) (Toronado) from the McEvoy camp showed enough in his recent Seymour trial. Booking of Holder from a low draw reads favourably. Watch for market support. A smaller case can also be made for the resuming PANIGALE (4) while SHADOW EAGLE (5) also has claims following a disappointing run most recently.
RACE 2 - TOP CALIBRE (4) is a progressive lightly raced four-year-old. Was an arrogant winner here last start when scoring with a fair bit up his sleeve. This doesn't look much tougher. Can win again. SCHRODER'S MISTAKE (7) has a positive racing pattern, so is always giving himself a chance. Will take up the running and should give a kick. HALLSTATT (8) caught the eye here last time out when rattling home into the frame late over 1250m here. Will be looking to do the same.
RACE 3 - YURI ROYALE (2) has been a while between wins but there's no doubting his ability when he brings his A-game. Has been thereabouts of late and gets a good chance to breakthrough dropping back in trip. Is drawn softly and is aided under the big weight with the 3kg claimer engaged. KENTUCKY NICK (4) put the writing on the wall last start at Donald when beaten a long neck. Shoulders a handy record over this trip and gets a key booking in Nunes. Main danger. PROVEN CORRECT (5) dug deep to fend off his challengers here last start when leading pillar-to-post. Yet to be tested over this journey but should be in this for a long way. DOLCEMENTE (7) has struck a purple patch of form, with wins in her last two. Kept fresh with a month between runs and carries a feather on her back. Is certainly one to consider. SANDASTAN (6) had been going better than his form suggested before finally landing a minor placing last week. Keeping safe in placings.
RACE 4 - SPIRIT OF CAMELOT (4) bounced straight back to form here last start when making light work of a BM 0-64 field over this trip. Open to further improvement third-up and is a leading player again with hot-hand hoop in Pannell sticking. ALECTRONA (1) was denied narrowly by what looks an above average one in Floozie last start at Bendigo, the form reads superbly for this. Gets help at the weights with the 2kg claimer engaged as she steps back out to a winning trip. Expect Milnes to be conservative from the draw and launch late. GLOBAL TURN (7) progressed sharply here second-up when putting a good gap to her nearest chaser. Is another that will be better now and should appreciate the added trip. In the mix. ANGELIC APPEAL (5) lacks tactical speed but possesses a killer turn of foot on her day. Watch out for her if they unexpectedly run along early. LAPILLI (9) is the suspected leader in race devoid of much other speed. That alone should tow her a long way into the race.
RACE 5 - SWYCHO (4) couldn't bring up the hat-trick at the latest but was far from disgraced when tackling a tougher field at Flemington, only beaten 1.3L in third. Will find this easier and carries the same weight. Expect her to prove very tough to reel in once finding the front. ARTFUL TAWNY (2) was a barnstorming winner fresh at headquarters but is yet to go on with it. Cherry-ripe now fourth-up as he steps out in trip. Main danger. MORRIS MINOR (1) is knocking on the door. Yet to be tested over this trip but should be competitive. QUINTILLION (6) is going better than his form suggests. Has left himself with far too much to do in both runs back and has finished full of running. Draws better this time and gets in low at the weights. Watch for sharp improvement. FLAMBARD (3) dug deep last start to hold off a late scare when a firm favourite at Balaklava. Gets weight off with the rise in grade. Capable of filling the frame.
RACE 6 - There's no doubting DEEPFLOAT DIVA (5) has her share of ability. Found a hot BM78 earlier this month when sent out equal fav, beaten 1.3L by subsequent Gytrash Final winner Sir Sway. Comes in fresh with four weeks between runs. Looks the winner if he brings his A-game. PRAIRIE FLOWER (2) returns and is a noted fresh performer, as she makes her stable debut for Clarken & O'Shea. Took a strong account of herself last campaign when tackling some nice races and strips fitter for a recent trial here. Will head straight back from the draw but will have them nervous late. VINTAGE STAR (10) returned with a bang at HQ when scoring with a bit up his sleeve. Progressive type from a sharp stable. No reason he can't go on with it. GEMINGA (11) was below her best last start at the Valley but was knocking on the door prior. Capable of bouncing back sharply. ARTISTIC GENIUS (4) next best.
RACE 7 - VOLCANIC EXPRESS (2) impressed fresh when scoring a barnstorming win at Murray Bridge. Has a lot more to offer second-up, fingers-crossed he's not all boxed up from the low draw. Will take plenty of stopping if the gaps appear. QEYAADY (3) hasn't won for a long time but has been ticking along nicely, putting the writing on the wall here last start when beaten a lip. Boasts a handy record over the track and trip and right up to this. THE STALKER (1) was denied a head in a blanket finish here two weeks ago. Peak fitness now and should be competitive. VEXATIOUS DANCER (5) finished alongside The Stalker in that crowded finish here at the latest. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt and is among the chances.
RACE 8 - Wide open contest. TEWKESBURY (2) doesn't win out of turn but did impress last start when closing off strongly to just miss last time at Ballarat. Gets a key booking in Nunes and only has to hold his form to be fighting out the finish. MORNINGTON PIER (3) is yet to strike through this campaign but has been turning in some really strong efforts. Rock-hard fit now and is a key chance. LAVISH THINKER (1) is in a similar boat and is proving to be quite his namesake, a thinker. Has ability but needs to put it all together. CHOSEN MISS (8) doesn't win out of turn but is as tough as old boots. Draws well and can give this a shake on best form. WHATSANAMEGEORGE (6) has built nicely into this. Toeroek sticks and gets blinkers on first time. Keeping safe.
RACE 9 - ZOMBIE MISSILE (4) has been beaten narrowly over the border in both runs back. Should be hitting his straps now as he steps out to a winning trip. The one to beat. I'M A DEXSTAR (1) returns. Was in good form last campaign, kicking it all off with a first-up win at Port Lincoln. Strips fitter for a trio of trials and is among the main hopes, will just need some luck from the wide alley. NEVER SURRENDER (8) is ticking along nicely as he stays at a preferred distance. Holder sticking a positive. Last-start winners LOMAX (5) and SAN LUCIDO (13) also deserve respect.
