Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WHO'S AFRAID (12) resumes and has placed 3/6 including here heavily bet at her only start last preparation. Showed some decent pieces of form in her initial preparation and can return further improved. Maps for a soft run and should go close. ANDAMOOKA (8) resumes and assess her on the narrow defeat here two-back when she led. She's had apprentices aboard every start and Crowther takes over today and that's a push. She's likely to be presented forward by David Jolly and go well. Stablemate VOLCANIC EXPRESS (6) resumes and was only beaten 1.6L at Morphettville on debut. She was very green and is sure to have taken learning. AGRESSIVE BEE (7) was good twice here and then led as a firm favourite at Strathalbyn and was gunned down late. The shorter sprint suits and the 2kg claimer will use the low barrier. Gets another chance.
RACE 2 - HOT OFF (4) threatened in stronger city races last preparation and was heavily beaten at Strathalbyn before the spell. He will come back naturally improved and has Hutchinson's 3kg claim. Tough to beat. The former Victorian IMPROVED TOI ET MOI (14) rates a danger. She disappointed second-up for the David Jolly stable but the first-up run was solid and she has plenty up her sleeve. Fitter and Crowther stays aboard. SPIRIT OF CAMELOT (13) debuts and looked sharp placing on a recent Gawler trial over this distance. Maps for a soft run from an insider gate and keep very safe. I TELL YA WHAT (5) resumes and showed enough last time to consider. Has Pannell and will be naturally improved.
RACE 3 - ON THE SCENT (11) impressed just missing first-up after settling back in the field and then was backed off the map over a mile at Strathalbyn and did not let down as anticipated, placing second behind a dominant winner. He's back after 7 days and keeps the handy 3kg claim for a promising apprentice. Fitter and deserves another chance. GILDED AGE (9) improved when missing a whisker at Gawler over 1700m and then dropped back to a sprint and settled too far back. This suits much better and he can get back into the finish. GOTTA GO GURU (13) has raced twice and shown enough to say she can feature over the longer journey. Raced green at a short price her latest and has the first-time blinkers applied. Will have taken fitness and learning and Holder stays aboard. WHISKY SOUR (8) resumes with a nice effort at Port Lincoln and has trialled well at Oakbank since. She placed over this distance at Strathalbyn three back and that stacks right up. Pannell is reunited and keep onside.
RACE 4 - Tricky. VERZENAY (7) has threatened all preparation and is likely to appreciate the longer journey. She's in good hands and gets in well with the 3kg claim. It's been a while between drinks but this is suitable. OFCOURSE I WILL (3) was quickly back on track winning the 56 here over a mile and then was expected to win at Bordertown and was eased down when the jockey suspected he'd choked down. He has two extra gear additions to arrest that problem. Risks getting strung up from the rails barrier but is capable of a bounce if that's managed. WARRANDYTE ROAD (5) has been well supported in his last two but has disappointed. He has an inside gate today and a handy 2kg claim. Suited in this lineup and is capable of making the finish. PRINCE TIKEA (2) was much better here over the mile in stronger class. Gets more weight but hits the race at peak and the longer journey should advantage.
RACE 5 - RABTAT (3) has placed his last two starts in stronger races and there was only 1.6L here his latest over 1800m as a $3 favourite. He draws well and is ready for the longer journey. Hard fit and the one to beat. THINK TANK (5) is third-up and was tried at Listed level before the spell over 1800m. He just missed a place last time over 1500m and is likely to appreciate the middle distance. HOLMES (1) races forward and was beaten a whisker here before delivering his Maiden at Gawler as expected. Draws to advantage and Pannell sticking is a positive. He'll get every chance to take the next step. CHOSEN MISS (7) finds it hard to win but always puts in and has switched yards on a 14-day return. She gets the trip and is in the mix at a price.
RACE 6 - MIDNIGHT RUSH (2) peaks and brings decent form from stronger city races. Not sure if the rails gate will advantage but it's there to use and the 3kg claim brings him right into it. ZERO INN (5) runs along and has been busting to win. Led and found one better here last time as favourite and has been freshened. Has the 3kg claim and will give a sight. SEVEN SECRETS (1) has had two starts back in better city races and can show more with the extra fitness and coming back to 56 grade. He can race handy and the 2kg claim benefits. CLUB PUNTER (6) has a wide gate but has been knocking on the door and hitting peak is in the mix.
RACE 7 - STARTIDE (4) resumes in easier company for the Stokes yard and performs fresh. She's trialled sharply over this trip at Gawler and Pannell is a key jockey booking. Draws handy and should go close. KAIDO (1) switched from a Victorian barn and did about what was expected in Open grade at Port Lincoln. Carries more weight but has been around the mark in better races and will be much more competitive at this level. DEFACTOR (8) has also switched from a Victorian yard and was last seen 32 days ago narrowly beaten in a Bendigo 58. He will ride the speed from the low barrier and is a chance at odds. FLY THE LINE (12) resumed at The Parks in a CL2 and was beaten less than 2L. She's likely to give away a start but can build on that improved effort.
