Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - KAKIA (2) presented fitter and was narrowly beaten at Hobart over this distance. Missed a whisker there his only third-up outing and is sure to take beating. GLORY MISSION (1) resumes with a nose defeat. He is proven second-up and won't have to improve much to threaten. SWINGING IT (10) just missed first-up behind Wheeling and then didn't finish it off on a dry track. Mixes the form but maps well and has been kept on the fresh side. Good enough at best., GEEGEESCHASER (8) is third-up with more to give. She's in the mix at a price. BUNKER BOB (4) keeps the 2kg claim and will enjoy the run of the race. Needs to find a bit more but should be around the mark.
RACE 2 - ENSIGN EAGLE (1) resumes and owns a Hobart trial win. Maps for a soft run and has a handy 2kg claim. Has his first start on the turf and looks set to run well. MOORLANDS MISS (12) resumes and has also trialled well. The gate is against but she showed enough on debut to give her a genuine chance. PEAK A BOOM (18) switched from a top Victorian yard and will be better for the first-up outing when she drew the carpark. Won a trial by 6L leading into that. Pires sticking aboard is a positive and quick improvement is likely. PUZZLE MISS (9) peaks and would be a hope at best.
RACE 3 - Tough. GEEGEEHAILSTORM (11) has laid a solid foundation and didn't have the best of it last time. She maps well and the longer sprint will suit. Gets her chance. AUTUMN GLORY (5) had good support at Hobart first-up but was cruelled by a wide barrier. He's trialled well and maps well today. Quick improvement is likely. SCARLETTI (4) has to manage a wide barrier but went close here last time. Is still shy of his best and can feature with average luck. MISS PRIVATE (12) has been within range here in her last four and Pires sticking aboard is a positive. Has had plenty of chances but this isn't overly hard.
RACE 4 - Tricky. DON'T GIVE UP (14) looked good at the trials and then was beaten a whisker here on debut. He races forward and fitter rates to go one better. CAPTAIN TAZ (1) is third-up and raced a short-priced favourite here last time. He will relish the step-up to the mile and will get every chance from an inside barrier. DISTRUSTFUL AWARD (2) peaks and would be right in the finish at best. The former West Australian gives away starts but wasn't far away last time and will be around the mark with average luck. SIR JAG (3) improved when beaten a nose at Hobart behind Dios but was just okay here following. Keeps the 2kg claim and tackles the mile for the first time. It may suit now.
RACE 5 - ALWAYS A WINNER (1) has been busting to win over a mile and has won x2 over this distance. Maps well and has a handy 2kg claim. He can go one better. MONTE FLEUR (2) also steps up from a mile and has been around the mark without winning. She is on the quick backup and has claims. PROPHET EYES (6) won here and was beaten a nose following, both over a mile. Has his first crack at a middle distance but brings the right form and is on a 7-day backup. IRISH STORM (5) spiked his figures winning a CL1 at Hobart, appreciating the longer distance. Has an awkward barrier but Pires is a positive jockey engagement and he's a chance to go on. VINTAGE DIESEL (4) had been going okay before the latest. Has a strong record at this course and distance and has to be considered.
RACE 6 - Plenty of chances. GOLDEN MEADOW (4) has improved further this preparation. She was beaten 1L here 7 days ago over 1100m and all three wins have been over 1200m. She's third up now and has a handy 2kg claim. Maps for the run of the race. WITHIN SIGHT (9) spiked her figures again winning a CL1 over 1400m. Comes back to 1200m following a brief freshen. Has a 2kg claim and can keep improving. NGAPALI BEACH (10) missed 1L second-up behind Street Diva in a 62. She jumps from an inside gate and will get every chance. STREET DIVA (5) will be fitter and she seeks the hat-trick off the narrow win. She draws awkwardly today but the 4kg claim brings her into it.
RACE 7 - A good race. MANDATE (5) was on speed and lifted his figures narrowly beaten here this grade/trip. He was disappointing at Hobart following over a mile well supported and may have had excuses. He will ride the speed from the inside barrier and back in distance is a strong chance to bounce. DIOS (4) will have plenty of admirers building on the CL1 win at Hobart. The former Godolphin-trained galloper is still well-shy of her peaks and the longer sprint won't bother. Draws the widest and that's a slight niggle. CHARTWELL HOUSE (1) switched from the premier Victorian barn and was beaten 2L here in a 74 when expected to win. He will improve on that and deserves consideration. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (2) brings a narrow loss in a 60 and winning rider Pires replaces the 2kg apprentice. Maps well and he's also a hope.
RACE 8 - Only three go-around. The promising DURAZZO (1) won three on the trot easily heavily bet and then tackled a Quality handicap narrowly beaten. Improved his figures again and 3x winning rider Sanderson is reunited. Easier and a bounce is likely. GEEGEE JET BY (2) is third-up seeking the hat-trick and has weight relief in this grade. Keeps Pires and will get every chance to progress. LOVIN' BEV (6) resumes owning a Hobart trial win. She has good ability but usually needs a few outings. May be more forward this time around and deserves consideration in a tactical affair.
