Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SHARMA'S LAST (2) resumes for the Trinder yard and has won 3/4 fresh. Owns a trial win and rates best. Draws low and will take beating. PHILOSOPHERS STONE (4) is a leader who made it 2/3 this campaign easily winning a 68 here as expected. He's on a four-day return and is a live chance. FAKE MAGIC (1) is racing well but was a touch plainer last time finding a heavy track. Should enjoy returning to the synthetic surface and he gets in well with the 2kg claim. GEE GEE ENUF SPEED (3) didn't do a lot here last time behind Philosopher Stone but missed 1L on the turf prior, rating well enough. Peaks and can't be ruled out.
RACE 2 - MONTEZULU (4) brings compelling form from Hobart over middle distances. Keeps the handy 2kg claim and has raced well enough here to suggest he'll hold the form. The one to beat if he does. SOUTHERN WIND (5) profiles similarly and missed a whisker behind the above last time. Not sure the inside gate advantages but Newitt sticks and that's a positive. GOLDEN PROPHET (2) steps up from a near miss on the turf and gets weight relief. He just missed a track this track/trip/grade before spelling and fitter has claims. REWARD FOR ROSIE (7) led and won the 64 on the turf at big odds. She can't be ruled out.
RACE 3 - Tricky. PRIVATE STORM (1) resumes for the new barn and brings strong form from Victoria. He owns a trial win here and has an inside gate. Newitt's booking suggests he's pleasing. RED FOX (2) switched from a Victorian barn and won a trial here before a battling run first-up on the turf. He was well in the market and has won another trial win here since. He led and just missed at Sandown-Hillside before the break and that makes good reading. BEAU WARRIOR (9) debuts for the Tribder yard and his trials have been promising. The blinkers go on and an inside barrier advantages. The betting will be key with him as it will be with fellow debutant TUSKEGEE (10) who's also trialled well and he jumps from the rail.
RACE 4 - FOREIGN LEGION (1) has been narrowly beaten here at his last three. Keeps the 2kg claim and finally draws an inside barrier. He's on the quick backup and deserves to break through. SUN HALO (5) was slightly plainer as the favourite on the turf but was nudged out here prior in a CL1 win over this distance. He's been kept on the fresh side and gets another chance. LYCO RECO (11) placed ahead of the above in the same contest and can keep improving. Newitt stays aboard and she's also a hope. SPRING BEAN (4) is a former Victorian worth a betting watch first-up.
RACE 5 - WILD NIGHTS (10) has been narrowly beaten x2 on the turf and races on the synthetic for the first time. Gets in light with the 2kg claim and is worth another chance. GEE GEES MOONLITE (4) is in good hands and will be sharper second-up. Needs to find a bit more but that's possible and Newitt will give her every chance from an inside barrier. ONE STAR DREAM (14) resumes and is a hope fresh-up. GEEGEES ROYAL DUKE (11) has been in the market at his last couple of starts but hasn't made an impression, last start running eighth at Launceston. Should be further improved and rates among the chances.
RACE 6 - RICH CLAN (1) has been racing well and he missed 1L at Hobart last time in stronger grade. Races here for the first time and can win if he takes to it. EASTCOAST MISS (10) found much better form beaten 1.2L at Hobart in a CL3. Has plenty of weight relief and has more to give. Newitt is a key jockey switch. CAPTAIN CAM (8) has to manage a wide barrier won comfortably here 4 days ago in a 60 and seeks the hat-trick. A winning chance with average luck. CHICANE (9) honest gelding. Course and distance winner who can measure up here.
RACE 7 - Competitive. DYNAMIC DEEL (3) has raced well at the mile since a Maiden win at this course/trip and has been freshened. The inside gate advantages and Newitt sticking aboard is a decent push for his chances. Tipping he will go close. TURF PUZZLE (7) went close narrowly beaten at Hobart on a heavy track. Has a dry track figure as good and will be fitter. Pires is reunited replacing Newitt and she's a winning chance if she takes to the surface. NIGHT ACTION (2) won the Maiden here and then disappointed as favourite at Launceston from a cruel gate. Fitter now and has to be kept safe. WHO CAN IT BE NOW (5) was fifth over 1430m at Hobart at his latest appearance. Capable of featuring prominently.
RACE 8 - Tricky. POPILITA (4) resumes and flies fresh. She runs along and owns a big trial win at the track. She should make short work of the awkward barrier and the 3kg claim brings her right into it. CHAMPAGNE CINDERS (5) won here three back and has been around the mark at Hobart at her two since in stronger. Has a handy 2kg claim and no surprise if she bounces back. FEAR THE STING (6) raced favourite in the same contest and led swamped late. She has won a trial prior by 9L and Newitt stays with her. Fitter and deserves another chance. BLUFF POINT (7) was good here last campaign and goes fresh. She is fast and will have come on. She also deserves consideration.
RACE 9 - LILY LUELLA (5) has been narrowly beaten her last two on the turf with the latest at this trip in stronger. Races well here and has the blinkers applied again. Just needs average luck from the outside gate. FIORENTE DE LEGEND (4) came back to this trip at Hobart and returned to the winner's list. Has her first race here and is a winning chance if she takes to the surface. OPALSON (6) peaks off a 2L defeat at Hobart over a middle distance. Doubt the shorter distance will bother on a three-week return and he gets in well with the 2kg claim. He's also having his first go on the synthetic. RING OF HONOUR (1) would be a chance at best but may have to settle for a minor slot.
