Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BOLTA (8) is busting to win and laid out the latest when unable to lead. Has the rail and sits down on the limit. Well placed and a senior rider goes on. ELUSIVE DREAM (1) disappointed behind Dialing but was narrowly beaten the two before. Races forward and is a chance to bounce. PATRIOTISM (2) just missed in the same race quickly back to his best. Can stalk from the low barrier and is also a hope. BORN AND BREAD (7) led and placed behind Barney's World spiking her figures. In the mix with a repeat of that.
RACE 2 - PLAYTHATFUNKYMUSIC (6) stays down in the weights and brings strong relative form to peak. Can lead or box seat and is worth another chance. Stablemate NURHACI (2) was narrowly beaten this grade over a longer sprint. Fitter again and the 3kg claim brings him right into it. A winning chance along with DOUBLE SPICE (1) who finished just ahead of the above in the same race and will be better for it. TALK IT UP (4) won't be far away forgiving the latest.
RACE 3 - WITCH STREET (4) has been narrowly beaten twice since the win at this level. Finds the right race and can record her third win. BEAUTIFUL BAROQUE (5) went well at Belmont and then was narrowly beaten here this grade. Draws inside today and hits this at peak. HIGH PRESSURE (1) is also racing well enough to feature. Hard fit now and is likely to race forward again. WELL PLAYED (7) has needed the two runs back. Has ability and won his only third-up outing. Keep onside.
RACE 4 - RYEWOOD (2) presented off Listed grade beaten a whisker first-up over 1300m. Has switched to the leading local barn and will be even better up to the mile. Has the rail and fitter will take beating. CAPTAIN ROGERS (3) always puts in and there was only a nose in it his latest in a 58 over this distance. Led in that and as an inside draw. A chance. HEAR MY PRAYER (4) missed 2L here in stronger grade and hits this at top. Is still off his peaks and is worth including. PASSION PRINCE (1) is also in the mix going on the near miss 15 days ago in a 66.
RACE 5 - LUCKY FOO FOO (6) won the CL2 easily and then didn't have the best of it seeking the hat-trick this grade. Draws awkwardly again but peaks and can take this out with a touch more luck. COUNTER DRIVE (1) hits this at top and has been racing in better class. The latest effort stacks right up. Not sure the rail advantages but he's suited. DUNBAR (2) wasn't beaten far in the 66 finding here best. He'll be a chance holding that form. NO MORE DUST (8) just missed a place last time surprising the market. Draws low and goes into the trifectas.
RACE 6 - THE BIG ONE (1) is a leader who improved sharply winning this grade and then came back to the shorter sprint and missed a whisker. Keeps the handy 2kg claim and can control the race. A bounce is on the cards. PACIFIC LADY (6) led and found more like here best beaten 2L. Peaks today and can make the finish. KELLY'S LI ZA LU (5) is hard to catch but easily won the 56 at Lenora heavily bet. Is in the mix on that effort and the rails barrier advantages. TWIST OF GOLD (7) is still a Maiden but was better the latest and won't be far away.
RACE 7 - CALIFORNICATION (1) was expected to win in better grade than this but spotted them a big start and did a top job to be beaten 1L. Needs a clever ride from an outside barrier but with average luck should have them covered. COUNT GRUNDY (3) settled back before winning the 58 and then led in better grade and faded from the 200m. May be ridden with cover today and looks capable of a trifecta slot. GRACE DU ROI (8) presents off a nice win over a middle-distance spiking his figures. Had been around the mark at the mile prior and he's likely to come late and get some of the minor money. KALLAROO (2) next best.