Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SPACE EQUITY (4) tackled the 2100m Horsham Cup last start but found that race beyond him. Good effort to win a Bm58 there at the same trip the run before, which is decent form for a race of this calibre. Can bounce back and win again. BADONKIDONK (5) worked home well without threatening last Sunday over 1800m at Horsham. Drops sharply in the weights and did win at his only visit to Bordertown so he deserves plenty of respect. SHADOW HAWK (3) ran a terrific race when beaten just 1.3 lengths in a Bm76 at Morphettville Parks two runs ago. Flopped on the course proper there last time but is a big chance today based on that run at the Parks circuit. LOVE FROM LUCY (6) was nabbed late in the piece at Naracoorte last weekend to continue a solid patch of form. In the mix again. FAST FOILS (2) is ready to click at the fourth run back.
RACE 2 - FANTASY WARRIOR (7) has not been produced since an eye-catching second on debut over 910m at Mt Gambier back in March. Savaged the line that day so a longer trip today will suit. Looks to have more upside than her rivals. AWEN (16) come off a 53-day break when down the track over this distance at Horsham last Sunday. Blinkers go on for the first time and she draws a far better gate so rapid improvement is on the cards. QUIK RHAPID (6) is back from a six-month spell. Only raced twice in the maiden campaign and wasn't disgraced on either occasion. Went well in a recent Mt Gambier trial so looks set for a bright return. HASTA LA SPARKLE (9) led but couldn't keep going at her latest run over 1210m at Mt Gambier on 30 August. Lightly raced and should be very competitive. TAHNEE TREASURE (12) is one to watch in the betting first-up from a five-month spell.
RACE 3 - OVERSTRIKE (10) raced handy but didn't finish his race off last time out over 1400m at Balaklava. Ran a couple of nice races in town prior to that, so with the blinkers on for the first time today he is certainly worth another chance. WHAT A FLIRT (13) made up a little late ground to finish midfield recently over 1200m at Murtoa. Fitter for two runs back from a spell and should appreciate this slightly longer journey. HASTA LA WIZARD (4) has been just behind the placegetters at both runs this time in work. Good each-way hope on a seven-day turnaround.
RACE 4 - PEACEMAKER (3) struggled at Morphettville last start over this trip when on a seven-day back-up. Ran on well to finish a close fifth over 1400m at Murray Bridge the run before which is a better guide. Can bounce back in this company. Veteran CARAK (4) was there on straightening but couldn't run on last time out over 1400m at Warrnambool. Fitter for three runs back from a spell and his record of five wins from 16 starts at this distance is impressive. FRANKEL STAR (1) improved a great deal last start at the second run of the prep, beaten under two lengths over 1430m at Naracoorte. Nicely placed in the small field out of an inside gate. FLEURIEU FLIPPER (2) scored a big win recently over the mile at Balaklava and can go on with the job despite a class rise. RED PATROL (5) thrashed a maiden field at Mt Gambier 18 days ago. Big step up today but should not be underestimated.
RACE 5 - Veteran EASY BEAST (3) travelled on the speed but couldn't match his rivals late in the piece last start in a Bm70 over 1400m at Morphettville Parks. Has a better record at this distance and will appreciate the drop in grade. Big chance to end a long run of outs. BIG OPTION (1) recorded his third win from the last five outings when comfortably home over this trip at Horsham last Sunday. Has raced here twice and won both times so his credentials are hard to knock. ROHLON DRUNK (2) is back from a 21-week spell. Consistent sprinter over many seasons and has a 62.5% top-three strike rate when resuming. Definite contender. TYDEUS (5) led all the way to blitz his rivals in town recently. Meets a deeper field this time but he is going too well to leave out. The speedy COOL MAGNUM (7) will give some cheek out of the inside alley on a seven-day turnaround.
RACE 6 - PRINCE TIKEA (1) ran a terrific race first-up then might have got to the mile too quickly last time when down the track at Balaklava. Fitter now and has a 50% win strike rate at the trip. Leading contender. APPLIED (7) has flashed home to just miss the placings at his last couple of runs, both over 1800m at Murray Bridge. Coming back in trip does not look ideal but on home soil he is sure to be competitive. LUNA DIVA (13) did a fair job at Warrnambool last Monday and on a quick back-up makes each-way appeal. LEADER'S PRIDE (5) can improve off a one-month freshen up.
RACE 7 - LOTZA BUBBLES (11) has run a couple of nice races since returning from a spell, both over 1000m at Morphettville Parks. Raced a bit closer after working over from a wide barrier last time and stuck on well for second. Draws well today and in this company looks ready to win. SO YOU CAN (8) is a perennial placegetter racing in good form. Led then battled on well to hold third last time out over 1212m at Mt Gambier. Trained here and shouldn't mind coming back in trip. Will give backers a sight. ALL BEANS (3) returns from a four-month spell. Usually needs a run to find form but this looks a nice race so keep him in mind. HEAVY ROTATION (5) is also back from a spell today. Finished just 2.2 lengths away over 900m at Murray Bridge when resuming from a much longer lay-off last prep. In the mix. The lightly raced GUSTY WAY (1) last appeared when third over this distance at Morphettville in July. Expecting a bright return to racing.
