Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CRIMSON VINE (6) made very light work of his rivals on Cup day here last start. Bit tougher this time as he steps out in trip and up in grade but he looks more than capable of going on with it. WHEELS (2) was finishing fast last start on the Parks track when sent out public elect. Not as tough this time and she should appreciate the rise in trip. Bold showing anticipated. RABTAT (5) is knocking on the door. On the quick turn around and gets in low at the weights. Can cause a scare late in the piece. CONFRONTATIONAL (1) dug deep to arrive just in time at Stony Creek. Untested over this trip but looks up to the task. CHEROKEE BRAVE (7) has followed up his dominant maiden win with two strong chasing efforts. The rise in trip looks to suit. Can feature.
RACE 2 - Tricky one to assess confidently. GRINZINGER LOVE (1) chased gamely into the placings on debut behind a pretty smart one in Bold Bastille, with a big gap back to fourth. Form reads terrifically. Leading player. PURE AQUA (11) was an eye-catcher on debut in the Cinderella Stakes last month. Sure to have come on with the race experience and is drawn to get the gun run with leading hoop in Toeroek sticking. Bold showing anticipated. DUCHESS OF SUSSEX (9) finished a neck away from Pure Aqua. Similar set up but Crowther replaces Neindorf. Have to seriously consider. THUNDER SHOC (12) is on debut and stays under notice.
RACE 3 - THE MANSMAN (4) finds the maiden win elusive but it certainly hasn't been without trying, placing in 5/6. Only has to hold his form to get the verdict. PROVEN CORRECT (3) lengthened nicely in the lane to resume a winner at Murray Bridge. Tougher this time but he's sure to have improved with that run under the belt and the rise in trip shouldn't bother. Right in this. ENCIPHERING (9) is yet to strike through this time in but expect him to be more focused with the blinkers going on for the first time. Sharp improvement anticipated. WARLORDS (1) showed good early toe at the latest and fought hard in the lane to score by a head. Comes in fresh and steps out an extra 200m. Has ability but worth treading carefully off that set up. Let the late money tell the story. ARTFUL TAWNY (8) strips fitter third up and gets weight relief. Don't underestimate.
RACE 4 - Intriguing contest at the top of the market. THIRSTY GUEST (2) stretched out nicely in the lane to finish within a length of Meridius in Listed company here last start. Cherry-ripe now and will take plenty of stopping from the good draw. Leading player. AIR ASSAULT (6) didn't give them a sniff here last start in the Guineas when leading pillar-to-post. Tackles the older horses this time but is up to it. Sure to take another strong account of himself. PEARL ADIOS (9) is yet to finish outside the top two this time in work. Wasn't far away here last start when sent out favourite. Similar set up. Doesn't have to improve much to be in the finish. GHETTO SUPASTAR (8) was a comfortable winner here on Cup Day in a BM66. This is obviously tougher but a similar effort puts him right in the mix. LAKE'S FOLLY (4) drops back to a journey he's a had good success over. Wasn't far away last start and is ready to land a major blow. Don't take lightly.
RACE 5 - GIVE SOME LIP (11) is ready to make his return after enjoying a successful time of it last time in. Looks to have come on nicely during the break, putting two smart trials under his belt in readiness. Drawn nicely and should take some stopping fresh. CELUI (2) is another that resumes. Was thrown in the deep end last campaign when contesting the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, after scoring impressively at Moonee Valley the start prior. The stable obviously holds a strong opinion of the colt. Two jump out wins in readiness will have him forward. Main danger. DECLARED (3) also makes his return and is a fresh winner. Strips fitter for a recent trial placing and is drawn favourably. Among the key chances. TREASURWAY (7) was another that tackled some handy opposition last time in work. Clearly shoulders her share of ability and is capable of featuring first up. WINNING REVOLUTION (6) has been climbing over their backs. This is tougher but he warrants an addition to exotics.
RACE 6 - Open race. KARAKA KIWI (2) put the writing on the wall last start when digging deep to get the verdict as favourite. Carries more weight this time but can continue on his winning ways. PRINCEOFCAMBRIDGE (3) is yet to strike through this time in but is knocking on the door. Doesn't have to find much more to salute. OBEDIENCE (10) kicked off the prep in nice order but struggled last time out. Capable of turning things around this time.
RACE 7 - Plenty of chances in the first feature. NUNTHORPE (10) deserves to head the market after narrowly missing last start at the Valley in the LR Abell Stakes. Unbeaten second up and only needs to hold his form to be in the finish. CLIMBING STAR (11) is an intriguing mare resuming. Goes well fresh and arguably shoulders the best form-lines. Yet to notch up his second win but likes this distance and should be forward enough following two jump outs. Can give this a big shake. GRINZINGER PRINCE (6) carries the fitness edge over a lot of these. Ticking along nicely and is drawn to get the gun run. Will be in this for a very long way. BOOGNISH (14) was an impressive winner first up on Cup Day when shooting up the inside late. Had a fair bit up his sleeve and can give these a scare. GREY RIVER (8) was disappointing first up in Manihi when far from her best. Wide alley to overcome but is capable of a much better showing. Keep safe. PARTY PRINCESS (9) next best.
RACE 8 - QUICKSTER (6) made the punters sweat but finally shed the maiden tag last start. Clearly shoulders her share of ability and can go on with it now. THE AUTUMN BELLE (4) is going well. Needs to go up a rung or two but looks capable, particularly having found a race which has been hit with a couple of key scratchings. JUSTABOOM (3) disappointed last start in the Autumn Classic at Caulfield. Drops back to an easier race now and appears better suited. SENTIMENTAL FLAME (5) shapes as an improver second up and out to the mile.
RACE 9 - Tough to hold a firm opinion here. RUNAWAY BELLE (15) was a barnstorming winner fresh. Couldn't quite repeat the dose last start but was again climbing over their backs. Expect her to head straight back from the draw and be roaring home late again. POMPEII EMPIRE (3) was well below his best last time out but had been ticking along nicely prior. Toeroek reuniting is a positive. Can bounce back sharply. THREE RINGS (5) was also an eye-catcher here last start. Hasn't saluted in a long time but is open to further improvement second up and is in the mix. FALAISE (13) returns and is best of the rest.
