Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Competitive. BINE (2) was narrowly beaten x2 and then was okay this grade behind Ms Tasmania and three winners have come out of that. She's been kept on the fresh side and deserves another chance. PERIWINKLE (6) was quickly back to form narrowly beaten in the same contest. She has more to give and will lead or box seat. A chance as well. REGATTA (1) has switched from a sharp NSW yard and won a 58 at Scone when last seen on race day. He was placed in a recent Hobart trial with Pires up and he stays aboard. The late betting will be key. NGAPALI BEACH (8) peaks off two narrow defeats and has weight relief. On a 7-day return and also has claims.
RACE 2 - SILVER DAGGER (11) placed as the favourite at Hobart on debut and was heavily bet here first-up winning a Maiden easily. She will be better for that and has the inside barrier. She's promising and can take the next step. GEEGEES LEGACY (6) was only beaten 2.2L second-up in an Open 3 and is proven third-up. Needs a good ride from the 2kg claimer but he's up to this. UNCLE'S TIP (8) deserved her Maiden win here bet into a short quote. Maps for the run of the race and she will keep improving. Ditto ALPINE THUNDER (1) who brings a first-up Maiden win.
RACE 3 - CELTIC ROSE (10) peaks off three narrow defeats. She carries 2kg less today with the claim and has the first-time blinkers applied. She should be breaking through. POWER GENERATOR (2) was much better beaten a half-length at Hobart. He has an awkward barrier but will be fitter again and can make the finish. HIGHLAND DUEL (7) trialled well and his effort was solid on debut. He jumps from the inside barrier and Newitt stays aboard. ICE CRYSTAL (11) maps well and will be fitter. She'll be around the mark.
RACE 4 - CONUMDRUM (2) deserved the 66 win here heavily bet. He will be fully fit now and the step up to the mile suits. He can go on with the job. SUSHI EXPRESS (1) is threatening a win and will be fitter. Maps for the run of the race and was won 2/2 over 1600m. ISLAND WARRIOR (3) finally draws a low barrier. She showed enough two back here to suggest this is winnable. She's placed 2/2 at the trip. LI'L HAIL MARY (7) is up to this at best and fourth-up can show more. She's capable of using the inside gate and will carry just 52kg in this grade with a claim.
RACE 5 - With Ms Tasmania out MAGNAPRIME (1) is left the one to beat. He led and missed a nose over 1200m behind Ms Tasmania two weeks ago spiking his figures again. He steps out to 1400m for the first time and will give a sight. GO JEANIE (6) comes out of the same race beaten a whisker when racing forward. Maps well and Pires stays aboard. She's also on trial over this trip. NATIVE CLAN (5) resumed in the same race seeking the hat-trick and will be better for it. She won her only start at the mile and Newitt has been with her all along. MASTRETTA (8) was beaten less than 1L in the same contest and didn't get it easy. Fit and she deserves plenty of consideration over the longer trip.
RACE 6 - THE INEVITABLE (1) resumed in the Tasmanian Newmarket beaten a half-length over 1200m. He's won 4/9 second-up and 3/4 this course and distance. Jumps from an inside barrier and is thrown in under the conditions. GEEGEES GEMSTONE (8) beat the above home in the Newmarket but meets him 7kg worse off. He has more to give but it's hard to see him holding the advantage. The longer sprint is also a query. THESPIAN WATERS (11) was beaten 1L in the same contest belting home of the back. He's also disadvantaged at the weights but the 1400m suits and he will be hitting the line. FIRST ACCUSED (3) can show more third-up and over this distance. His best would see him in the finish.
RACE 7 - ASVA (2) was narrowly beaten off the big Maiden win and then tackled a mile at Hobart and didn't finish it off. Enjoys this track/trip and has weight relief at this level. He's worth another chance. MANDATE (5) got closer last time finding more like his best. He races forward and has a handy 3kg claim. On a 7-day return and deserves plenty of consideration. JUST A NEEDS (1) was expected to win first-up but looked a run short. She had been nudged out x3 in Open grade at the back of her previous campaign and quick improvement is anticipated. ZULU ANGEL (3) has the ability but drops back 1050m freshened. It's an ask but he keeps Pires and is worth keeping onside.
RACE 8 - Competitive. JOHNNIE PINCH (5) was narrowly beaten and then delivered a 68 at Hobart. He will race forward again, and he keeps the handy 4kg claim. He should get every chance to keep the ball rolling. PENNINE (3) was much better in the same race and will be better for it. He has more to give, and Newitt stays aboard. ALWAYS A WINNER (6) stepped up to this distance beaten 1.2L in a 60. He tumbles in weight and is on a 7-day return. Maps well and his figures stack right up. VINTAGE DIESEL (7) just missed in the same contest. Carries a feather with the 4kg claim and will get every chance.
