Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LITTLE BIT CHAI (5) got off the mark in style when resuming last start at Balaklava. Scored with a bit up her sleeve and is drawn to advantage. No reason she can't repeat the dose. HARLEEN (9) is another who returns and makes her stable debut for Daniel Bowman. Struggled to make an impact at the backend of her last prep but was contesting much tougher races. Should enjoy this sharp drop in grade. HONOUR THE SKILLS (1) resumes. Was a handy maiden winner here in his second last run of the prep before tackling tougher company. Sticky alley to contest but rates a leading player on best efforts. ZEYDANA (8) next best.
RACE 2 - Tricky race to assess with a few first starters engaged. MONOCHROMATIC (4) is an Iterate mare stepping out on debut for the Gilcrist stable. Showed positive signs in her most recent trial. Bright start won't shock. VAN SCOTIA (3) returns. Has found the maiden win elusive but it hasn't been without trying, placing in half of her starts. Rates highly on best efforts and is worth plenty of thought from the inside barrier. HASTA LA WIZARD (6) has shown good tactical speed in his last two but has just struggled to go on with it. Fitter again and gets weight relief. Among the main chances. BRIDIE JEAN (9) is a likely improver second up. In the mix.
RACE 3 - IRRESISTIBLE FORCE (1) finds it hard to break the ice but has come close on numerous occasions. Never looked likely last start at Donald but got a closer two back. Rates highly on best efforts and is aided at the weights with the 4kg claimer piloting. Bold showing is anticipated. LOVE THE ACTION (2) is a four-year-old Squamosa entire stepping out on debut for Michael O'Leary. Has shown positive signs in his two trials and is drawn favourably on the inside. Can give this a big shake. ULTRON (11) looked to be nearing his breakthrough before producing a sub-par performance at Balaklava. Gets 4kgs off his back this time. Can bounce back sharply. FREE FALLIN' (4) resumes and strips fitter for a Bordertown trial win. Worth plenty of thought, especially if the market agrees.
RACE 4 - LORD CAT (3) improved last start to finish third over 1284m at Penshurst after being prominent at the turn. Best figures measure up. Sure to run well. IRLANDAIS (2) is a Shamus Award gelding stepping out on debut from the McEvoy stable. Yet to be seen at public trials but has worked nicely in his jump outs. Respect any market support. MR GEORGE (4) never threatened in town at the latest but was only denied a nose two back. Capable of breaking through this time. RADIANT GLOW (13) showed some positive signs on debut Warrnambool but failed to follow it up at the latest. Improvement to come.
RACE 5 - PITTSBURGH PIRATE (3) lengthened nicely in the run home at Geelong to make it two on the bounce. Not much tougher this time and is ticking along superbly. Big chance to bring up the hat-trick. BACK IN ACTION (4) should be at his top after three runs this prep. Will be right in this. HASTA LA PRINCE (2) has hit a purple patch of form, scoring in his last two. Draws to get the gun run and is going too good to ignore. Have to consider. RED PATROL (6) has found some good form and there's no reason he can't continue it here.
RACE 6 - REAL THINKER (9) only warmed to his task late at Tatura and managed to make some inroads over the concluding stages. Easier this time and strips fitter. Expected to play a major role in the finish. DRONE STRIKE (4) had been finishing thereabouts before failing to give a shout at the latest. This is easier. Can give this a shake. AEROETTE (3) showed great tactical speed and battled gamely to the line but was claimed late. This isn't much tougher. One of the key chances. ORPHELINE (7) has struggled to threaten of late but this doesn't look as tough. In the mix.
RACE 7 - HARRY HOT PANTS (8) has caught the eye in his last two starts. Strips fitter and the rise in trip suits at this stage of the prep. Ready to launch a serious bid. PICK ME (6) has been in the market at his last couple of runs since resuming but failed to threaten. Sure to take benefit from putting the two runs under his belt. Deserves another chance. FIFTH HUSBAND (3) has struggled to threaten of late when tackling a tougher grade. Will appreciate the drop in grade and is worth some thought. SESAR (2) next best.
RACE 8 - CHILL WITH TEEJAY (4) has hit the line nicely in her two runs back without threatening the winner. Strips fitter third up and shoulders a handy record over the track and trip. Leading player. ORNAMENTAL LADY (9) was denied narrowly of resuming a winner at Morphettville three back. Hasn't gone on with it yet but will be suited by stepping back out in trip. Can give this a big shake. HEIR OF TAVISTOCK (2) resumes. Yet to score fresh but looks a big chance if he's able to recapture the form he was in late last prep. DETNAW (5) continues to knock on the door but just struggles to land the winning blow. Carries more weight with the drop in grade. Big chance now.
RACE 9 - REYNAIRE (2) was a dominant winner three back and the ran a bold race last start when beaten under a length at Swan Hill. Steps back in grade on the quick turnaround. One of the chief contenders. SNAPTOF (11) was well below her best last time but had been racing in much better order prior. Can put that bad run behind her. OUR ELLIE ROSE (6) chased gamely to the line at the latest when falling just shy of the frame. Inside alley assists. In the mix on best efforts. OFCOURSE I WILL (1) didn't give a shout fresh when well below his best. Likely improver.
