Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The stayers kick us off. CLASSIQUE GAL (5) has a handy record around this circuit with two wins and five placings from 14 attempts and strikes a winnable contest here. Has been racing in a rich vein of form of late and should be right there at the business end. VENTUROUS (3) has gotten better with each run this time in and will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the spell. Looms as the main danger. GENERAL BARCA (7) doesn't win out of turn but is usually thereabouts and is one for the multiples. TAPPY'S LAD (1) is one from one over this track and trip and cannot be ignored on best form.
RACE 2 - Tricky race to assess with a couple of these babies facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade MISHANI EXTREME (3) has been thereabouts in tougher races in town and will find this assignment much easier. Gets some weight relief with the 3kg claim and a spike in form would not surprise. LOVEBUG (6) wasn't disgraced in harder company at the latest effort and the runner-up finish prior was full of merit. Rates a serious contender. MISHANI MOET (5) will take a lot of benefit from the race day experience last time out and can improve enough to play a role in the outcome. MILESTONE (7) gets in well at the weights with the claim and may earn some minor money. GOLDARNIE (4) is at the races for the first time and any market support must be respected.
RACE 3 - HEARTS ARE BETTER (6) was a touch plain at the latest effort when well in the betting but go on the dominant Warwick victory when resuming. Strips fitter now third-up from the spell and where there's smoke there's fire. Can bounce right back to form. TAKE A BOW (7) resumes here but revved up for this with a recent Doomben trial win and gets in light with the claim. A strong showing while fresh would not surprise. BONFIRE SPARK (4) is first-up here but can feature with any luck in running. I'LLTELLYOUGO (1) has a solid winning strikerate in lesser grade and deserves her shot in this company.
RACE 4 - THE FIXER (4) has hit a purple patch of form this preparation and goes well for Bayliss who has two wins and a placing from just four steers. Drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and should give this a mighty shake. COMMAND APPROVED (5) got a well deserved victory at the latest effort and will have derived a stack of confidence from that win. Top-three contender. JUKEBOX GLOW (6) is a three-time winner over this distance range and may make her presence felt. I SEE YOU COMING (2) rounds out the selections by default.
RACE 5 - KEEP SAFE (3) was heavily supported in town at the latest effort but may have suffered from the dreaded second-up syndrome. Strikes an easier contest here and strips fitter third-up from the spell. Rates the testing material. BOROGORU (5) is drawn to get a cosy run in transit from the inside marble and hails from an astute barn. In the mix. The well-related PICKABAE (12) (half to G1 winner Uncommon James) is at the races for the first time and any market moves should be noted. WHAT ARTISTS DO (8) next in lin with Jones on top from the good draw.
RACE 6 - OUR MAGNUS (3) has been knocking on the door of another victory finishing runner-up in four of five starts this campaign and will be at peak fitness for this. Zechner sticks in the irons and should be going very close. KIPLING'S JOURNEY (5) loves this course and distance with two wins and a second from just three attempts and has won when fresh before. Expecting a bright start to the preparation. EVOCATOR (4) is having his first run for the new stable and any market confidence should be respected. The well-related COLLEAGUES (2) (full to 2xG3 winner and G1 placed Annavisto) is two from four around this circuit and may run a race while fresh. SOLAR APEX (1) best of the rest.
RACE 7 - Looks a wide open affair. JUST FLYING (5) broke the maiden status over this track and trip when resuming and then just ran into one better over the same conditions last time out. Looks the runner in this field with the most upside and should be right there when the whips are cracking. JUNGLE PRINCE (4) is yet to miss a drum in three attempts over this distance range and will strip fitter second-up from the spell. Gets some weight off and can make his presence felt. The well-related WEST CORK (7) (half to G1 winner Qafila) is usually thereabouts and is a must for the exotics players. ARAMINTA (11) has hit the top-four at her past five outings and cannot be discounted.
RACE 8 - REIGN OF POWER (4) is having his first run for the new stable but is a winner here around this circuit and has won first-up before. Any market support must be noted. Former NSW galloper SUCCESSFUL (9) is having her first local run but has shown ability in recent trials and a bold showing while fresh is expected. SHAPIN POWER (11) draws the inside marble and rounds out the selections in a race decimated by scratchings.