Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SKY LAND (10) tackled Stakes grade third-up beaten 2.5L staking the speed. Draws low with a 1.5kg claim and finds a winnable assignment. GEMS EAGLE (2) debuts and the trials have been sharp. Has a handy barrier and the in-form Pires is a key jockey booking. Can provide the above with decent opposition. OUR FAIRY TALE (9) was tried at Stakes level and didn't flatter. Her debut was in stronger company and expect her to be much more competitive. Newitt is a positive jockey booking. GEEGEES WAROFWORDS (6) is a debutant who showed enough in his latest trial to suggest she can slip into the first four.
RACE 2 - Tricky. LOYALTY BLUES (4) missed a whisker twice before delivering the Maiden win here bet into even-money. Keeps the in-form Pires and draws for the run of the race. In good hands and can take the next step. ROHZHAE (5) won the Hobart Maiden off a string of near misses. Maps for a soft run and may go on with it now. RUE DE PALAIS (2) missed a nose here first-up and then followed with a plain effort as favourite. Has Newitt aboard today and presenting fitter will get every chance. SPINHOF (15) has missed a whisker at her last two starts this grade/trip and has to be considered as well.
RACE 3 - NAVY STREET (4) won back-to-back on the synthetic before the two placings at Hobart on the turf. The longer sprint should suit and he finally draws an inside gate. Gets another chance. RIGOLETTO (3) peaks and has just missed here his last two. Has been giving away big starts but Newitt knows him well and can manage. DID YOU DECIDE (1) made a place just behind Navy Street at Hobart first-up and had come off a long spell. He draws well with a small claim and he'd have claims at best. Goes second-up and the longer sprint suits. EASTCOAST MISS (8) did a good job winning the CL1 here and then came back and just missed this grade/trip. Has an awkward barrier but the 4kg claim brings her right into it.
RACE 4 - IN THE OCEAN (5) missed a whisker at Hobart on debut off a sharp trial win and then was beaten here by the same margin heavily bet again. Has the winkers applied and stripping fitter can win given average luck from the awkward barrier. ROLLING IN IT (6) is a leader who hasn't been beaten far both starts this preparation. Has yet to recapture her best Victorian form but may get closer to that level this evening. She'll be in the finish if she does. BLONDE STAR (9) looked good at the trials and finished a whisker ahead of the above at Hobart on debut. It was a nice effort after settling back from the awkward gate. Has the first-time blinkers applied and may push forward this time. Is showing enough to consider. SHALL WE PLAY (7) has switched from a NSW barn on a 52-day return. She is speedy and brings some decent pieces of form. Needs a good ride but Newitt is a positive jockey booking.
RACE 5 - ELLA DULCIE (7) was a big Maiden winner here and has raced in much stronger since. Lifted to this distance in the Listed Stutt Stakes 24 days ago and that sets a good foundation for this CL1. In good hands and she's the one they have to beat. GOOD LUCK BOB (1) was beaten 1L here over this distance and then started at $4 at Hobart and was never in the hunt. A quinella hope if we can forgive that. PUNTER (2) peaks and went well his only run over a middle distance. Didn't have the best of it the latest when well supported over a mile and missed a nose prior. He can find a place as well. NAVAJO WARRIOR (11) is better than the recent form suggests. His Victorian figures over this distance stack up and he can show more off the two solid runs over a mile.
RACE 6 - Competitive. DANTES (1) brings a win and two placings all heavily bet and coming back to the 1420m should advantage. Keeps the small claim and will push forward. Hard-fit and back in grade is a decent chance to go one better. CHOSEN EAGLE (2) is also back to a sprint and has gone close his last two. The rails gate should advantage and he's a chance. LI'L HAIL MARY (5) easily ran her best race winning here 10 days ago. Has a handy gate and Newitt is a key jockey switch. A chance holding that form. LORD WHITEGATE (3) rates well and was only beaten 0.9L behind the above. Deserves another win and has to be considered.
RACE 7 - NICCO THE GREEK (2) is well placed off the 2.5L defeat in the Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes over this distance. Missed a lip in a 76 prior, building on the win this grade. In good hands and will take plenty of beating. OLE OLA (3) was quickly back on track narrowly beaten here this grade/distance. Races forward and she will be in the finish again. GALLANT WARRIORS (5) settled back and belted home to win the CL2 by a space. Hits this at peak and the 1400m shouldn't prove a bother this time around. PRINCESS MATOAKA (6) didn't miss the hat-trick by far in the Ole Ola race but needs to find more to threaten.
RACE 8 - THELMA (3) spiked her figures beaten a nose from the pace and then settled in the back half of the field and did a good job when beaten just 1.2L. Raced favourite in both and briefly freshened, the drop back to a shorter sprint shouldn't bother her. Draws low and Lafferty takes over from the 3kg apprentice. Things haven't worked out for PEACE BE UPON HIM (1) at his last two starts but the near miss in a 76 prior stacks right up. He's also had 31 days away and can get back on track. CHEROKEE DANCER (6) peaks and has been around the mark. Her best would be good enough but she has to find it. GEE GEE ALS PRINCE (4) resumes with Pires a key jockey engagement. He won't be far away if presented forward.
RACE 9 - I'M SO COOL (1) runs along and won in Open grade this track and trip before finding the Launceston Cup a stretch too far. The rails gate and 1.5kg claim advantage and he's back after 7 days. This isn't hard and he can get back on track. GEEGEES HISWORD (2) rates well but tackles this longer distance for the first time. Won the 64 at the mile two-back and Pires is a key jockey switch for the 3kg apprentice. No surprise to see him form the quinella. AFRICAN THUNDER (3) was no match for I'm So Cool in Open grade but turned the form around by winning the 64. It was a good effort after settling back in the field. He has some weight relief and will be around the mark. PAGE (5) tries hard and goes into the trifectas/first fours at least.
