Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - PURE BLISS (12) wasn't far away on debut and then followed it up with another strong chase into the placings last start. Cherry-ripe now and is drawn to advantage. The one to beat. ENDLESS FAITH (7) bounced back off a disappointing effort at Balaklava with a strong chase into the frame last time out on the Parks surface. Fitter again and is in the mix. Smaller cases can be made for resuming filly HEY MIKKI (15) who resumes and strips fitter for a pair of solid trials.
RACE 2 - LOVELY LOOKIN' (2) lived right up to market expectation first up with a dominant on-pace victory at HQ. No tougher this time and is unbeaten second up. Big chance to win again. GREAT MAXIMUS (4) is ready to make his return after enjoying a promising debut campaign. Just had the one start last time in and boy, didn't he make it count. Strips fitter for a Gawler trial placing in readiness and has Toeroek sticking. Sure to be competitive. SANTASTICO (1) is another that returns. Worked himself into some terrific form last campaign before coming to the end of his prep one run short. Has trialled well in the lead up and is among the main chances. THE STALKER (3) paid the punters first up off the back of a nice trial in. Carries more weight this time but shoulders his share of ability. Don't take lightly.
RACE 3 - OVERSTRIKE (1) proved too sharp for them fresh when leading pillar-to-post. This is tougher but he has more up his sleeve. BOLTED IN (3) only warmed to his task late when resuming but managed to make some good inroads. Drawn much kinder this time and gets weight off his back. Can give this a big shake. VOLTAGE POINT (5) stalked the pace then worked home evenly to grab a minor placing when resuming at the latest. Gets in well at the weights with the rise in grade and is a second-up winner. In the mix. FREE BEER (4) carries a fitness edge if many of his main rivals and put the writing on the wall last start when flashing home into the frame. Ready to go on with it. KRISTOBEL (6) was disappointing last start and is capable of a much better performance. Tourneur reuniting is a positive. Don't dismiss.
RACE 4 - BADONKIDONK (2) progressed nicely second-up at Horsham when closing off solidly into the placings. Shoulders a strong third up record and gets a key jockey booking in Crowther. Leading player. PUISSANCE DUSOLEIL (4) has found the line nicely in all three return efforts and looks ready to go on with it now and eat up the extra 200m. Bolds showing anticipated. SHINY ROCK (1) has taken a step wrong this time in, taking out both the Lock and Outback Cups in impressive fashion. Interesting to see how that form lines up here but he's 4/4 over this distance and has to be seriously considered. SPEAKEASY (5) doesn't win out of turn but has turned in some solid performances of late. Has run well over this journey without winning and rates highly on best figures. SUPER VALENTINE (3) next best.
RACE 5 - SIXTEEN REASONS (5) was poised to strike when resuming at the latest but just lacked the winning blow. Expect her to improve with that run under the belt, as she steps out to a winning trip. Gets in well at the weights and should prove tough to stop. GAZE GRISE (4) has had a long time between wins but rarely turns in a poor one. Crowther reuniting is a good push for her chances, with the hoops saluting five times aboard. Gets 8kg off from her last run and is right in the mix. WILD IMAGINATION (1) didn't give his rivals a sniff first up but then struggled to follow it up in Listed company last start. This is easier and she drops back to a preferred trip. Can atone. ALPINE FLYER (3) returns and usually runs well first-up. His trial win here in readiness impressed and she's drawn to get all the favours. Sure to be competitive.
RACE 6 - SANDASTAN (5) has really found his groove this time in. Was no threat for them last start in the Adelaide Cup but still managed to beat eight other runners home. Was a gutsy winner two back when holding off a progressive one and the form from the race has stuck up superbly. Much better placed this time and is a leading chance. YURI ROYALE (2) dug deep to fend off a hot-pot favourite last time out. Comes in on the fresh side and drops back in trip. Leading hoop in Toeroek reunites and shoulders a handy record aboard. Every chance to make it two on the bounce. OATH OF OMERTA (8) performed above market expectation last start when chasing strongly into a narrow second. Hasn't won for quite a while but looks cherry-ripe to play a major role on the quick back-up. I NEED A DRINK (4) was denied by 1.6L of winning his third country cup in as many starts at the latest, in a brave effort. This is tougher but his form is hard to knock. Don't underestimate. THRILL KILL (3) next best.
RACE 7 - MY KHALIFA (2) missed the kick last start which proved costly. Comes in on the fresh side but has kept the legs ticking over with a solid trial here between runs. Has a devastating turn of foot on his day and will take a power of beating if he brings his A-Game. CHICAGO STORM (1) is cut from the same cloth as My Khalifa. He was far from disgraced when resuming in the City of Marion, despite finishing ninth. Goes well second up but is drawn ugly. Watch for him climbing over their backs at the business end. ANILLA (5) was only fair when resuming at Moonee Valley but the form from the race has stuck up with the winner giving Imperatriz a run for her money in the G1 William Reid. Is another that is drawn sticky but deserves respect on best figures. SECOND TO NUN (4) has been up or a while but continues to make a solid account of herself, the last two at Listed level. Drawn to advantage and should be in this for a long way. PEGASI (7) next best.
RACE 8 - PENTHOUSE (6) has returned in career best form this campaign, placing three back in the G3 Bellmaine Stakes at Caulfield. Her following two efforts in black type company have also been meritable. Gets in well at the weights and drops back to a winning trip. Will take some catching for his rivals. Last year's winner TAUNTING (1) returns to defend his crown. Gets in at the top of the weights this time in what looks a tougher edition. Has improved since then and is a distance specialist. Warrants plenty of consideration. PRESS DOWN (13) resumes and boasts a solid fresh record. Ran into a couple of hot races last campaign with plenty of subsequent winners. Has trialled well in readiness but will just need some luck from the draw. JACKS ON ICE (8) and CELSIUS STAR (5) next best.
RACE 9 - SKINDER (13) is ready to make her return after enjoying a successful time of it last campaign. Only had the two runs last time in, scoring here on both occasions. Has trialled well in the lead up and is drawn favourably with Crowther reuniting. A lot to like. STORM VOYAGER (9) stuck on gamely to only miss by a head last start. Can give another bold sight on the quick turnaround. Don't underestimate. COSTLESS (6) has good early toe and is drawn to advantage towards the inside. Rock-hard fit and should be in this for a long way. ZARACE (10) returns and usually goes well fresh. Is a track and trip winner that can run a cheeky race at long odds.
