Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - KIKUSUI (8) resumes for Tom Dabernig. Has found it tough to break the ice but looks set to run well based on recent trial win. Gets in low at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged and is expected to prove hard to beat. OK GERRY (9) was denied by the barest of margins from shedding her maiden tag last start. Rates highly on best efforts and only needs to hold her form to be fighting out the finish again. TRELAZE (6) is a three-year-old Magnus gelding having his first start. Was readied for this with a sound Oakbank trial placing. Capable of featuring. FAVOURITE QUEEN (7) is an intriguing runner who makes her stable debut for Lindsey Smith. Has only had the one start since arriving in Australia off a long break. Has jumped out well in readiness but might just need the run. Debutant EMERALD REWARD (5) next best.
RACE 2 - UTILITARIAN (4) finds the maiden win elusive but it hasn't been without trying. Drawn to advantage and is ready to capitalise on two narrow defeats. CROWN AND ANCHOR (1) showed improvement at Clare when closing off solidly into the placings. Strips fitter third up and can give this a shake. ELLIOTTO (2) is an Akeed Mofeed gelding stepping out on debut for Ricky Bruhn. Has worked well in his jump-outs and is drawn favourably. Respect any late money. MY GAL VAL (11) resumes and looks best of the rest.
RACE 3 - MIGHTY OASIS (2) drops sharply in trip after going over the jumps at Warrnambool. Holds good form over this journey and is right in the mix. FULL OF DASH (8) is ready to land a major blow after finding the frame in his last two. Drawn awkwardly but rates highly on best figures and is in the mix. INTERFERING (1) drove hard to get the verdict and shed his maiden tag last start at Bordertown. Can build on from the win. SESAR (10) next best.
RACE 4 - PORTATION (2) doesn't win out of turn but looks perfectly placed dropping back from Saturday grade. Has run into a few above-average types of late, so can forgive the beaten margins. Goes his best over this journey and is sure to be very competitive. CHILL WITH TEEJAY (4) comes in off a short freshen but has kept the legs ticking over with a soft trial. Is a track and trip specialist and gets in low at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged. Bold showing is anticipated. LASTAR (5) enjoyed a ratings spike last start in town when chasing gamely into fifth, only beaten 1.6L. Ticking along nicely and is right in this. KORDIA (1) makes his stable debut for Lindsey Smith after being off the scene for 650 days. Was no doubt a lot better than this lot earlier in his career but that feels like a lifetime ago. Has trialled soundly in readiness. Keep very safe.
RACE 5 - GETONIT (5) was denied narrowly of success at Nhill two back, and then came with a strong finishing burst to find the frame here last time. Ticking along nicely of late and is a leading player. YOURJOKINGME RIGHT (2) stuck on gamely into the placings when resuming at Swan Hill. Drops back to a winning trip on the short turnaround. Has had a long time between successes but rates highly and can give this a big shake. MISS GATSBY (10) showed good early muster last start at Bordertown when sent out favourite, only to falter late. Gets weight relief and is drawn to advantage. Expect her to be in this for a long way again. PRIVATE JET (1) looked to be nearing a win, before turning in a poor one at the latest. Drawn sticky but usually runs well at this venue and can bounce back.
RACE 6 - ADANDIMAN (4) should find this a fair bit easier as he crosses the border. Comes through some strong form races and gets significant weight off his back. Perfectly placed and is sure to take a ton of beating. BOLD BOURBON (1) returns over a winning trip and has scored fresh before. Closed last campaign on the right note when scoring at Warrnambool. Can pick up right where he left off. WILD WILLY (3) is ticking along nicely of late and remains at a preferred trip. Gets in lighter at the weights and has Opperman sticking. Only has to hold his form to be competitive. MONTJEUIFY (5) looked close to notching up another win but just struggled slightly last time at Sandown-Hillside. Blinkers going on for the first time should have him more focused. In the mix.
RACE 7 - THRILL KILL (7) has been chasing the country cups in his last two and has given strong performances, only to find one better on both occasions. Gets some nice weight off his back and doesn't have to improve much to be fighting out the finish again. SCENIC HOST (11) doesn't win out of turn but has proven more than capable on her day. Tourneur sticking is a positive and is another that gets weight off. Right in this. RED PATROL (8) has struck a purple patch of form and has put together some strong efforts on this track of late. Tougher assignment but is going too good to ignore. FAROOQ (4) made very light work of his rivals last start at Naracoorte. Not a great deal tougher this time and he's a distance specialist. Have to include.
RACE 8 - SNAPTOF (5) was below her best last time when shooting for her fourth consecutive success. Expect her to find this easier and she's a track and trip specialist. Can bounce back sharply. HASTA LA CHILLY (4) chased solidly into the minors when resuming at Bordertown. Strips fitter and shoulders a handy second-up record. Will just need some luck from the alley. ARTIE'S AVIATOR (10) kicked off the prep in good order but has struggled in her last two. Gets weight off and a key jockey booking in Tourneur. Don't take her lightly. LUCKY JACKSON (9) doesn't win out of turn but has turned in some strong showings of late, most recently beaten a lip at Murray Bridge. Keep safe. LADY ARDOYNE (2) best of the rest.
