Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MOON TREATY (4) is a Territories gelding stepping out on debut for the smart R & C Jolly camp. Has impressed at the trials and gets the key booking of leading hoop Jake Toeroek. Expected to make a bright start. ZANTHRON (6) resumes. Showed positive signs in his debut prep, finding the frame in 3/4 starts. Looks to have to taken the right steps forward during the break on the back of a narrow Gawler trial placing. One of the chief contenders. BONNY IMPACT (9) wasn't far away two back at a big quote. Wide alley to contest but warrants safekeeping under the light weight with the 3kg claimer engaged.
RACE 2 - TURBEAU (1) resumes and it's worth noting he got the job done when fresh last time in at Bendigo. Steps out over a winning trip and clearly has his share of ability but will need to lug the big weight. Expect him to be very competitive. BLESK (5) loomed strongly late last start on the Lakeside surface but lacked the killer blow. Will enjoy the drop at the weights with the rise in grade and gets his chance to break a long run of outs. MAGNETIC EDGE (2) chased solidly to the line last start on the main track but came up just shy of the placings. Easier this time and deserves more respect. THRILL KILL (3) should improve off a sound first-up effort here. Inside draw helps.
RACE 3 - REGAL VALOUR (6) was denied a long neck here two back over this trip. Was no match for the tearaway winner last start but carries the right credentials back in this grade. CROWN MINT (1) is yet to break through this time in but has been thereabouts. Strips fitter and shapes as one of the key chances. CALL ME VEXATIOUS (2) dug deep to get the verdict last start at Gawler. Tougher this time but isn't out of it.
RACE 4 - ARUGAMAMA (5) made very light work of her rivals here last start when scoring soft on the line. Gets weight relief with the rise in grade and looks more than capable of going on with it. YURI ROYALE (3) was well below his best last start but had been building nicely into the prep prior. Blinkers go on first time and reunites with Jake Toeroek who has saluted three times aboard. Sharp improvement is anticipated. EL GLADIADOR (2) wasn't far away at the latest when beaten a long neck in fourth. Open to further improvement and is expected to make his presence felt. TRUMPSTA (4) chased gamely into the frame here at the latest. Is a course and distance specialist that warrants plenty of thought.
RACE 5 - SHOOTOOSE (6) followed up his eye-catching first-up effort with a solid win last start on the main track. Open to further improvement at this stage of the prep but doesn't have to do much differently to be right in the thick of it. HALLSTATT (7) was denied a head here last start after running into the frame fresh. Tougher this time but gets weight relief and winning rider Lachlan Neindorf stays aboard. Can give this a big shake. HOPE AT HAND (4) is a talented type on her day and may have just needed the two runs. Expecting a big effort third up. BIG OPTION (1) let down nicely to record a handy win two back at Horsham but wasn't as good at Bordertown. Gets some weight off and is drawn well. In the mix.
RACE 6 - FANCIFY (1) fell a whisker shy of success on Oaks Day at Flemington after showing good early speed. Will find this a lot easier and reunites with regular rider Ben Price. Will take plenty of beating. EXALTED DAME (2) has finished in the placings in her last two starts after winning at Gawler. Yet to be tested at this trip but is aided at the weights with the 2kg claimer piloting. Can figure at the business end. LADY SIMONE (3) hasn't been able to go on with it yet after saluting three back. Leading hoop Jake Toeroek sticking is a positive. In the mix. Can also entertain DAWNBURST (4) and CHILKO LAKE (6) as outside chances. Warrant safekeeping.
RACE 7 - WOLF CITY (5) was denied a head of resuming a winner off a 693-day break, in what was an outstanding training performance from the Clarken & O'Shea team. Expected to have taken benefit from the hit-out and meets the horse that beat him 2kgs better. Doesn't need to have improved much to be right in the finish. VINTAGE STAR (10) returned with a bang at Murray Bridge to shed his maiden tag. Tougher this time but is a likely improver and gets in well at the weights. Right in this. HUNTLEY LADY (4) never looked likely fresh before letting rip with a barnstorming finish to arrive just in time and knock off Wolf City. Improvement to come but concedes weight. Right in the mix. ZUFASTA (9) is yet to break through this time in but did knuckle down gamely to hold onto a minor finish at the latest. Doesn't win out of turn but leading hoop Jake Toeroek sticking is a good push for his chances. BROADWAY LANE (3) can be thrown in for exotic players.
RACE 8 - COOL THE JETS (4) resumes and has run well fresh without winning. Was in solid form at the back end of last prep and strips fitter for a recent Gawler trial placing. Can make a bright return. ROCKSTAR MEGGSY (6) also resumes and shoulders a 2/3 record first up. Was thrown in the deep end in her last start when tackling the Listed Lightning Stakes. Will obviously find this a lot easier and is worth plenty of thought. SHOOTING FOR STARS (8) is another that returns and is also a fresh performer. In the mix on best efforts. MR HAVE A CHAT (1) lacked a fitness edge fresh but is a likely improver.
RACE 9 - ANJOPIN (1) was denied a lip of bringing up the hat-trick here last start. Lugs the top weight but is ticking along superbly and has the class to play a major role again. HUMBOLDT (10) only warmed to his task late here first up when closing off into a midfield finish. Sure to have improved with that run under his belt but has a sticky gate to contest. NAVY GOLD (12) was an eye-catcher last start at Murray Bridge when rattling home into the frame. Expected to head back again from the gate and be saved for the final shot at them. FREE VINO (11) made a mess of his rivals here two back but only battled to the line last start when pulling up with excuses. Comes in on the fresh side and is drawn to get a cosy run. Can atone.
RACE 10 - PORT ALBERT (1) again gave backers a bold sight last start at Canterbury, only to be gunned down late in a gallant bid. Has enough dash to offset the sticky draw and only needs to hold his form to be in this for a long way. KLABEL (9) resumes. Ran into some handy types last time in, most notably being beaten 2.6L by eventual Goodwood winner Royal Merchant in the G2 Tobin Bronze Stakes. Clearly has his share of ability and strips fitter for a recent Gawler trial win. Key player. SECRET WAR (5) showed good early speed and extended nicely to score with a little in hand last time at Moonee Valley. Expect him to hunt across from the wide alley be right there when straightening. OUR HEIDI (8) is yet to threaten in her two runs back but can improve sharply third up. Don't dismiss.
