Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky. SCANDALOUS AFFAIR (4) resumes for the new barn (Carr) with leading course striker Newitt a key jockey booking. The gelding has been off the scene for a year but has trialled well here suggesting he's on song. He's good enough and the betting moves will be key. MISTER MANIHI (1) was plain here third-up but had been building nicely prior. Peaks today and is still shy of his best. WINDARA WOLF (5) won a trial and then missed a whisker here on debut. Keeps the handy 3kg claim and fitter is a decent chance. RESTRICTED ACCESS (3) fair effort last start when resuming finishing third over 1009m at Devonport Synthetic. Among the chances.
RACE 2 - RIPPEN GOLD (11) presents off a heavily bet near-miss at this track/trip. Pires is a key jockey switch for the 3kg apprentice and he hits this at top. Rates to break through. OXY BOLT (3) resumed in the same contest and finished a smidgen ahead of the above. Fitter and is advantaged by the rails gate. Keeps Newitt and should go close. FIORENTE DE LEGEND (8) resumes and was tried twice at Listed level at the back of her previous preparation over middle distances. Has good form at 1400m and has recently trialled sharply here over 800m. Has the outside gate but looks ready to go. AL MAXIMUS (1) has been trialling well leading into this first up run and worth including.
RACE 3 - RAFAEL'S RAID (3) led off a wide gate and found one better first-up this track/trip. He draws inside today and keeps the handy 4kg claim. Fitter and is going to take plenty of catching. OPEN ARMS (9) is busting to win. Was a touch plainer last time but is hard-fit now. Will push forward and is a winning chance. ZULU FIELDS (10) improved here and then the saddle slipped last time and forgive. Newitt rides for the first time and she's in the mix. ALL ABOUT LUNA (6) settled last and found a place here on debut. Draws better and will have come on.
RACE 4 - FLYING BILLIE (2) has returned to racing much improved and has been kept on the fresh side since the CL1 win. He will likely push forward again and is heading in the right direction. SANDUAL (5) will run along from the rail and will go a lot better back to a sprint. Has the best peak figures and Newitt rides for the first time. A winning hope. CHICANE (3) draws out but brings strong form from the synthetic. Fitter again and he'd be a chance if he replicated his efforts on the turf. GEE GEES ME BOY (6) got back but found the line well first-up. He has plenty to give over the longer trip and expect him to come hard.
RACE 5 - DAYAN STAR (3) is in a strong Victorian barn and went close here first-up. Went close his previous three and Newitt rides replacing the 1.5kg apprentice. Fitter and is proven second-up. AGNETE (4) is third-up and has laid a solid platform in stronger grade. May sit closer today and is a winning chance. BANCA TOM (2) peaks and can show more. Pires is on for Newitt and can secure the run of the race. IBUTHO (5) just missed this track/trip finding more like his best. Not sure the rails will suit but he gets in well with the 2kg claim.
RACE 6 - PRESS FOR BOOM (5) was a big winner on debut and then repeated the dose winning here first-up heavily bet. Has a wide gate but she's promising and keeps the 2kg claim. She can take the next step. SHOOTING NORTH (3) resumed improved and then led beaten a nose in a 62. He will push forward and has weight relief. Filter and should go close. PEROLA (4) brings strong form to resumption including back-to-back wins here. Finds a touch easier and she's trialled well. Winning rider Newitt is reunited and that's a decent push for her chances. ASVA (1) resumes and has placed 4/45 fresh. He has the best figures but will need a good ride from the awkward gate.
RACE 7 - CHARLIE BUCKET (5) has won 4/7 and resumed here heavily bet narrowly beaten over this distance. 2/2 second-up and a senior hoop goes aboard. He can bounce back. Stakes-placed KING ISLAND (3) resumes and easily won a recent Longford trial. Maps for the run of the race and has a handy 3kg claim in easier. Looks ready to go. SIR SIMON (2) was beaten a whisker this grade second-up and that reads well. Is proven third-up and the 4kg claim keeps the veteran's weight manageable. Can't be ruled out. GEE GEE MISS QUITA (6) placed in the same contest and was an impressive winner prior in a 68. Pires goes on and the rails gate should advantage.
RACE 8 - CREATIVE LICENCE (3) won this grade comfortably second-up and then ran forward again narrowly beaten in a 68. Has the handy 3kg claim is easier and has the speed to clear the awkward barrier. Peaks and can bounce back. STARDARMUS (4) has returned to racing improved and did a good job winning the CL1 his latest. Has a 2kg claim and he draws inside today. Fitter and is a live hope. POWER MAGNUM (7) was safely held last time but brought decent synthetic form to that. Has placed 2/2 this track/trip. In the mix with average luck. EXTREME GEM (1) honest galloper who returned last time out with a seventh over 1009m at Devonport Synthetic. Fitter and can play a big role.
RACE 9 - PAGE (5) is holding her form and coming back 200m won't bother. Maps well and has a handy 3kg claim today. Finds easier and can go better. HELLOT (2) has threatened his last two on the synthetic. He's just as good on the turf and the extra metres shouldn't bother. The in-form Pires rides today. WADDY WADDY (8) came from the back winning a CL1 over a mile 28 days ago and has delivered a big 1400m trial win since. Ran his best figure winning over this distance and has to be considered. YARRA MASTER (1) is busting to win but needs a good ride from an outside barrier.
RACE 10 - LI'L HAIL MARY (5) resumed with a solid effort over 1430m and has trialled well since. Newitt stays aboard and she's proven second-up. Not sure the rails gate advantages but a good ride can take care of that. ALPINE AFFAIR (1) was quickly back on track winning over this distance in stronger. Carries more weight but the 2kg claim helps. A chance to go back-to-back. SUSHI EXPRESS (3) won the 60 and then wasn't far away this grade. Won his only start over a mile and should go close. FIGHTING FLOYD (4) beat the above home last time and maps better He's a chance as well.
