Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - JEWEL DE LUNE (5) has been thereabouts this prep and was desperately unlucky not to get off the mark last start when beaten a lip. Jacob Opperman stays aboard and has been in the money on two occasions. Bold showing expected. ELECTRA BLUE (2) hasn't looked likely in her two career starts when settling a long way back but has managed to pick up well late to hit the line hard. Can take much closer order from the inside alley this time. Worth following. GADIDAE (3) finds the maiden win elusive but boast best figures good enough to put her right in the thick of this. Shoulders a handy record over the track and trip without winning. Don't dismiss. GYPSY SPIRIT (4) next.
RACE 2 - TROPOPAUSE (11) surprised many last time when lengthening nicely here to only fall a nose shy of the winner. Open to further improvement and can prove the last effort was no fluke. MAHENO (8) progressed nicely on the Parks track at the latest when closing off solidly to the line, only beaten 2.5L in sixth. Can take another step forward but does have a tricky gate to overcome. TALL LETTER (5) gave backers a great sight two back at Strathalbyn before fading into third late. Struggled to follow it up last time but is worth some thought on best efforts. ZESTY SPICE (13) has struggled to fire a shot in his first two starts but can turn things around third up under the light weight and from good draw. Don't dismiss.
RACE 3 - CARARADA (6) has found it tough to break the ice but it certainly hasn't been without trying, placing in half of her career starts. Has a solid record at this journey. Leading player. ASTROMANCER (1) was unlucky not to get off the mark two back at Strathalbyn, before following it up with a solid midfield finish at the latest. Strips fitter with the three runs under her belt. Holds strong claims. JAZZ AFFAIR (8) ran on well here to grab second at long odds last start. Good signs last time and worth consideration. BEACH STREET (3) did a better job to finish a lot closer to the winner here last time out. The booking of Todd Pannell reads favourably. Keep safe.
RACE 4 - FIRST TOSEN (5) travelled well into the race when resuming here at the latest but lacked a fitness edge late. Fitter so anticipating a better run this time. WANNASCHMACK (12) gave backers a bold sight here on debut last time but was overpowered closer to home. Expected to have come on nicely from the hit out. In the mix. HISWAY (6) resumes. Failed to fire a shot on debut back in May but looks to have come on nicely during the break, stripping fitter for a recent trial placing in readiness. In the mix. MAGIC MORRISS (10) resumes and looks best of the rest.
RACE 5 - SIPSMITH (3) chased solidly to the line here last start to grab a minor check. This doesn't look as tough. Only needs to hold his form to play a major role. BURNING BRIGHT (4) dug deep to fend off challengers to score and shed her maiden tag here at the latest. Carries more weight this time but is sure to be full off confidence. Jason Holder sticking is a good push for her chances. BELMONT AVENUE (1) was far from his best last start in town when tackling 2500m. The drop back in trip should suit at a venue he's tasted success at before. Worth another chance. COVERED CALL (7) enjoyed a ratings spike last start when battling on into a midfield finish. Gets some slight weight relief on the quick turnaround. In the mix.
RACE 6 - BARBALINE (6) didn't lie down first up when holding onto a narrow second. Sure to have improved with that run under her belt and has tasted success at this venue prior. Can give this a big shake. SIR PANAMA (8) got off the mark in great style here at the latest. Has upside and there's no reason he can't repeat the dose. FUN FOREVER (9) was a handy winner fresh but struggled to follow it up in town last start when tackling tougher opposition. Will find this easier. Can atone. KRISTOBEL (10) and VAMPIRE SLAYER (12) next best.
RACE 7 - ITALIAN REDWOOD (2) was well below his best last start but had been racing in much better order prior. Easier this time. Nicely placed to turn things around. DON'T DISMISS (8) continues to knock on the door but just struggles to land the winning blow. Boasts a terrific record at this track. In the mix. MYSTIC KNOT (6) never looked likely last time out but did manage to pick up late and find the line nicely. Don't underestimate. BLOOD SWEAT TEARS (5) next best.
RACE 8 - NO ENTITLEMENT (7) has a moderate winning strike-rate but has followed up her eye-catching fresh performance with two solid efforts. Best figures measure up. Expect her to run well again. NASDANA (2) lengthened nicely to the line at the latest to narrowly miss. Open to further improvement and gets her chance to break a long run of outs. COMMANDO MISS (4) turned in a nice run when fresh from a spell two starts back at Strathalbyn then chased hard when falling just shy of the frame here last start. Fitter and worth another chance. MR WHITACRE (10) is ticking along soundly and only needs to hold his form to be competitive. Don't write off.
