Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SWANBROOK GEM (7) improved sharply second-up when showed good speed from a wide gate to go under narrowly when fifth over 1175m at Grafton on March 7. Drawn the rails today and will take catching. FOOLS PLAY (8) has come back stronger this time in, finishing in the minor money at all three runs. Taken to the front from a wide gate and showed plenty of grit to finish a nose second over 1175m at Grafton on March 7. Expected to figure prominently again. SMOKEHOUSE BROWN (3) can improve second up while OUR SPARKY (9) is worth keeping safe on debut.
RACE 2 - ANOTHER GIFT (4) three runs back have been solid and will find this easier after finishing fifth over 1400m at Tamworth on March 10. Claim helps today from the good gate and best form is over this track and trip. Go close. WELLERMAN (2) dropped in trip and shuffled back from an inside gate when a disappointing 11th over 1400m at Tamworth on March 10. Backs up quickly and expecting more against these. Blinkers come off and can turn things around. PRINCE CARLOS (8) not far away two back, then showed good speed before tiring late when seventh over 1400m at Tamworth on March 10. Claim helps and best figures has him right in this.
RACE 3 - SILENT TOMAHAWK (9) three-year-old filly by Smart Missile out of a Northern Meteor mare on debut for the S C Jones yard. Has looked sharp in both trial wins and has the ability to take this out with the claim. Go close. FIGMENT (7) resumes from a spell of 11 weeks and due for a change of luck. Stepped up in distance when third over 1600m at Gosford on December 31. Can sprint well fresh over this trip. VOIGNER (3) resuming after showing improvement at second prep when second over 1100m at Port Macquarie on January 20. Showed enough in a recent trial to suggest he's forward enough for this. ISADAMI (5) is also in the mix.
RACE 4 - POCKET PICKER (4) mixing his form after finishing a close second two back before running below expectations when up in trip for a poor eighth over 1200m at Tamworth on January 25. Races best with runs spaced and expecting a sharp form reversal here. MENARI MISS (7) shed her maiden status at start seven when a tough on-pace nose victory over 1200m at Quirindi three-and-a-half weeks ago. This no tougher and returned good figures last start. Can win again. SUPER IMPRESSIVE (5) returned for second prep with a dominant maiden victory over 1000m at Ballina in a Super Mdn on March 1. Has upside and not to be underestimated. Looking for a good return from EXSENSIBLE (1).
RACE 5 - ROCKY RIDE (4) well ridden by the apprentice at latest when a dominant winner over 1000m at Grafton on March 7. Holding form well and can win again despite jumping sharply in weight. AWESOME MISS (1) best form is over this track and trip and the firmer deck should help today. Drifted back over the 800m and failed to handle the heavy (8) going when sixth at Coffs Harbour on March 11. Can bounce back from the inside gate. SERIFICE (8) finally shed her maiden status two back, before jumping in trip when a wilting tenth over 1200m at Walcha last time out. Winning rider back on today and can return to form. MAGIC SHOT (2) lightly raced gelding returning from a four-month spell. Showed a ton of ability last time in and since fitted with a recent 1000m trial win on March 6. Well drawn and looks primed for this.
RACE 6 - Tough race! ZOFFANY'S GAZE (6) racing well, anchored with the 62kg when ran on late in easier company to finish fourth over 1600m at Scone on February 27. Trip shouldn't pose a problem and go on strong win two back when assessing his chances. SEAHAVEN (3) thereabouts of late and not a bad effort when a close-up sixth over 1600m at Quirindi on February 23. Looking for this distance now and has the figures to play a leading role. TOROWOTO (4) fitter after two runs back and looks ready for the 1900m now. Claim helps again and expecting him to race a lot closer here. NATURE BOY (8) resumed over an unsuitable trip in the heavy (8) going when a poor last over 1500m at Coffs Harbour on March 11. Best form is over this track and trip and looking for more today on the firmer track with the claim.
RACE 7 - DEEBO (11) resumes from a let-up after defying a market drift when a fighting neck winner over 1200m at Tamworth on January 25. Since fitted with a recent 1000m trial and debut win came at this track. QUICK AS A FLASH (4) resumed with a strong victory first-up, before drifting back from an inside gate when a plugging eighth over 1200m at Tamworth on February 16. Ready for this distance now and can take this out. KALAHARI HEART (12) back sharply in trip after having no luck from the wide draw when a plugging fifth over 1600m at Tamworth on February 16. Best form is over this trip and should get the right tempo to swoop late. BOLD HOI HO (1) can improve second up.
