Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky race to assess with many runners down on form. BEAR ARMS (3) was a dominant winner over a similar trip three back at Warrnambool and has since followed it up with two solid chasing efforts. Gets weight relief and only needs to hold his form to be very competitive. Group 3 winner CANFORD (1) settled well back then picked up fairly well in the straight to finish midfield. Tackles a longer journey on a quick back-up and gets his chance to break a long run of outs. FIORZANA (4) has struggled to threaten of late but comes through the strongest grade of racing. Will enjoy the easier challenge this time. Can play a much more significant role this time. WARRANDYTE ROAD (8) next best.
RACE 2 - EVEN SHARPER (2) returns. Was thrown in the deep end in the last start of his debut prep at Morphettville when tackling G3 company. Rates highly on best form and will find this much easier. Bright return anticipated. RUSCHEYNE (7) was doing his best work late last start to grab second on the Parks surface, making it back-to-back minor placings to open the prep. Justin Potter has registered two minor placings when on board. Will strip fitter and is one of the big chances. SOCIAL DANCER (11) is a locally trained maiden galloper also resuming. Looks to be in good order after placing in a trial. Sure to be competitive. ASTAIRES (1) stuck on gamely into a midfield finish last start at Murray Bridge when resuming after having just under a year off the scene. Should improve with that run under his belt and is drawn well. In the mix.
RACE 3 - GEEIJO (2) was doing his best work late on debut when just missing the frame in fourth at Murray Bridge. Expected to improve and is worth following up. SHADOWFAX (9) resumes. Was denied by a lip of debut success at Morphettville back in June. Looks to shoulder his share of ability and can make a bright return. NASHO (6) wasn't far away from the winner when resuming at Morphettville Parks three weeks ago. Will benefit from that outing and is drawn to advantage from the inside marble. In the mix. OUR DIVINYL (7) wasn't far away on the Parks track last time out and is ready for the slight raise in trip now.
RACE 4 - CARARADA (8) has found the maiden win elusive but it certainly hasn't been without trying, placing in 6/11 starts. Has added another two minor finishes to his tally this time in work, working home into third in good style at the most recent outing at Morphettville. Big chance to break through. LA DEFENSE (4) resumes. Showed promising signs in his debut prep and is expected to have taken the right steps forward during the break. Will just need a smart steer from a wide alley. AMBELLO (1) has gone close his past couple and is as fit as they come. Expecting him to put his best foot forward once more. FIRST TOSEN (2) stuck on well in his debut effort in heavy going. No trials coming in make him an intriguing prospect.
RACE 5 - BURNING BRIGHT (12) has returned in solid order this prep with two minor placings from four starts. Open to further improvement at this stage of the prep and looks the one to beat. JEWEL DE LUNE (8) hit the frame two starts ago at Strathalbyn but ran below par last time here. Worth noting blinkers go on first time. Could prove the winning touch. CHEF MILITAIRE (2) never looked likely two back in town, before rattling home to miss by a lip. Again settled too far back last time but managed to pick up nicely late. Could prove tough to stop if close enough. STOKEDOWN (4) was a little plain second-up at Morphettville but is better than he showed that day. Can boune back.
RACE 6 - DAZZLING PROSPECT (1) couldn't live up to market support last start in town when leaving his challenge late and forced to make it on the inferior going back towards the inside. Happy to forgive on best efforts. Can turn things around sharply on the quick backup. LORD GEORGE (6) will appreciate the longer journey after closing off solidly into a midfield finish fresh last start at Morphettville. Races well when second-up and won't find this assignment as tough. Can give this a big shake. AUSSIE SOJOURN (10) progressed nicely here last time out when finishing much closer to the winner. Sticky draw to overcome but only needs to hold his form to be competitive. SIPSMITH (8) has been around the mark for a while now and merits plenty of respect.
RACE 7 - KING MOYA (11) disappointed at Morphettville last time out but was much better when narrowly edged out as favourite first-up. Ready to peak third-up and the sting out of the ground suits him. Still has plenty of room for improvement and looks the one to beat as he's expected to get back to his best. VALAROC (6) got the job done narrowly at Strathalbyn last start after coming through a good form race first-up. The inside draw is ideal and Edgley taking 2kg off brings him right into calculations. DELCREDERE (9) absolutely bolted in at Mount Gambier, scoring by 7.5L in maiden company. This is obviously harder, but you can't ignore what he did last start and must be included. SECRET WAR (2) just faded late first-up and will have come on from that effort. Easier here and carries less weight after the claim of Yuen. Big chance.
RACE 8 - CHICAGO STORM (3) has been in terrific form this time in and produced another strong effort last start when closing off handsomely into fifth at Murray Bridge in the Listed Gold Cup. Gets weight relief and is drawn to settle much closer to the action this time. Will take plenty of stopping. Group 2 winner ADELAIDE ACE (4) was back near his best last start at Morphettville when closing off solidly into second, only beaten a neck. Open to further improvement but is drawn sticky. Watch for him doing his best work late. THIRSTY GUEST (7) hasn't taken a step wrong in his last two, adding his second consecutive win to his tally in dominant fashion last start in town. Stays at the winning trip and gets weight relief. Sure to be very competitive again. MONTIGN (2) is yet to strike through this time in but rates highly on best figures and is a track and trip specialist. Just needs a smart steer from a sticky gate to be playing a role.
RACE 9 - SUGGESTIVE MISS (6) was denied by the barest of margins of resuming a winner at Murray Bridge. Won't be bothered by this longer journey. Finds the ideal assignment. BILLIE BRONX (1) is a progressive galloper who is first-up since finishing rearward in the Listed H C Nitshke Stakes at Morphettville Parks. Unbeaten in two starts when fresh. Can add to that impressive fresh record. BELLALIQUE (2) was far from disgraced last start in town when finishing midfield. Goes well here and is capable of testing this field. ALOTAFUN (7) was allowed to drift back from an outside draw last time but found the line strongly to finish fourth, only beaten 1.5L. Open to further improvement third up and is drawn to settle much closer to the action from the inside gate. Don't dismiss.
