Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - DARE TO LOVE (4) started at cricket score odds over this track and trip on debut but defied that market by running a close-up second. Sure to have improved with that race experience now under the belt and can go one better against this lot. SISTER GEORGIA (5) finished third in that same race and draws the inside alley with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. VIKING VALOUR (3) strips fitter third-up from the spell and is another to get some weight relief. Top-three commodity. Former Victorian HIDDEN MELODY (8) is first-up here but showed enough down south to warrant respect in a race like this. Respect any market confidence.
RACE 2 - KRAKARIB (1) is first-up in the region but has shown plenty of ability in harder grade in Victoria and strikes a very winnable contest here. Tuned up for this with two solid trials and is capable of playing a major role in the outcome while fresh. ISLAND TIDE (9) just missed the placings when resuming and will strip fitter for that hit-out. Drawn low and hails from an astute barn. Looms as the main danger. SHINSHINTO (3) has a handy first-up record and must be included. WRITTLE (4) next best with the claim.
RACE 3 - KELANOA (11) has been plying her trade in town of late and will find this assignment much easier. Drawn to get a cosy run in transit from the inside marble and should be in this for a very long way. ROCK LOBSTER (10) is first-up here but showed plenty of talent last campaign and this is not an overly strong affair. Can run a race while fresh. ARIAT (9) is facing the starter for the first time and any market confidence must be noted. JOHNNY UTAH (5) best of the rest.
RACE 4 - Former NSW galloper CATHAY BRACELET (7) was too bad to be true in the run before the spell but the three efforts prior were good enough to feature in a race like this. Tuned up for this with two local trials and gets Mallyon on board from a middle gate. Can improve enough to take this out. CONTRICK (8) has hit the top-five in four of five outings to date and has placed over this distance range. Will be near her peak now and rates a serious contender. CHIEF BY (2) has hit the frame in both starts over this trip and can trouble the judge again. ROSEFINCH (12) will find this easier than recent metropolitan efforts and shapes as a primary hope in this contest.
RACE 5 - BULL DIMPLE RUM (3) has been thereabouts in both runs this campaign and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Gets 3kg off with the claim and should be in this for a long way. UNLEASH (6) broke the maiden status three back before two handy efforts at the past couple. Gets the services of Zechner to navigate from the sticky alley and is expected to prove tough to hold out. EVERLAST (4) doesn't win out of turn but has placed two from three over this track and trip and usually picks up a cheque. Top-three chance. GOLD MERCHANT (1) resumes here but has saluted when first-up before and may run a race while fresh. Local HUSSONHOFF (5) next in line.
RACE 6 - ROMAN HEIR (5) was a touch plain last time out but go on the close-up second the run prior when resuming. Strips fitter third-up from the spell and draws to get a cosy run from gate three. Can return to form against this lot. VULTURE STREET (9) has been in the mix in both starts this preparation and looks the galloper in this field with the most upside. The extra furlong should suit and finds a nice race to play a role. JIMMY NEUTRON (4) has a win and a second from four starts over this course and distance and rarely puts in a poor effort. Top-three commodity. DANTE ALIGHIERI (8) is having his first run for the new stable and any market confidence must be noted. WHISTLIN' RULER (13) best of the rest in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 7 - INDY ROSE WARRIOR (7) saves her best form for this distance range with two wins and a second from just five starts and will strip fitter second-up from the break. Can feature with natural improvement. SCENIC RIM (3) has won two from three here and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Should give this a shake. SIENNA'S AWARD (11) is a five-time winner over this journey and cannot be ignored. SCOTTISH PRINCE (6) gets 3kg off with the claim and may earn a cheque.
RACE 8 - SEA COMMITS (12) has hit the top-four in six of her past seven starts and will be near her peak now fourth-up from the break. Gets 2kg off with the claim and another bold showing is expected. AWESOME AUDREY (10) was a touch disappointing last time out but the three runs to commence the preparation were good enough to be considered in a race like this. Has to be included from the inside alley. WASABI KICK (11) has been in the mix in all three career outings to date and looks to have plenty of potential. Top-three candidate. DUCHESS OF MILAN (13) is having her first run for the new barn and a watch on betting is advised. MONDAY MONDAY (15) next in line.
RACE 9 - NEARA REWARD (8) has hit a purple patch of form this campaign with a dominant maiden win when resuming before hitting the frame last time out. Winning rider Lang sticks in the saddle and looks the one they all have to run down. TOUTE SWEET (5) has placed around this circuit, gets 1.5kg off with the claim and is drawn to get a suck run from the inside marble. Ticks plenty of boxes. JACKIEDOWNTHELINE (12) shed the maiden tag at the latest outing and will have taken a stack of confidence from that victory. Can go right on with the job now. SMILING ZAC (14) has placed here at this venue and looks one for the multiples. JUNGLE FEVER (2) next best in an open affair.
RACE 10 - Former Victorian SWISS BABE (10) has hit a rich vein of form since joining the new stable with a win and two placings from three local outings. Gets up to the 1100m now and no surprise to see her play a role in the finish. The penny has dropped for ARDERN (19) who has strung two wins together this time in work and Lang stays in the irons. Can bring up the hat-trick here. ON HOLD (8) has placed two from two over this trip and rarely puts in a poor one. A must for the exotics players. LONDON POINT (11) strips fitter second-up, draws low and gets in well at the weights with the claim. In the mix. MASTER GEE (3) is yet to miss a drum in four attempts at the journey and cannot be discounted.
