Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The well-related HEART AND SPIRIT (5) (half to G1 winner Jonker) looked good shedding the maiden tag here at the latest effort and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Drawn to take a forward position from the inside marble and should give backers a sight. ESTRONDO (2) strips fitter second-up from the spell and must be respected from the Heathcote barn. In the mix. EAGLE'S FIRE (4) has placed over this sprint journey and may earn some minor money. MISHY (6) is knocking on the door of a maiden victory and looks one for the multiples.
RACE 2 - Former Victorian LONJOURNO (7) is first-up for the new stable here but the form he showed down south was more than good enough to be competitive in a race like this. Has landed in a handy barn and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. LIKE SMOKE (6) has been right there at the past three outings and Cahill sticks in the saddle. Top-three conveyance. ZEPHALONG (8) gets in well at the weights with the 2kg claim and may earn a cheque. HEAVENWOOD (11) strips fitter third-up from the break and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. In the mix.
RACE 3 - COLLEAGUES (2) has a very good record here on his home circuit with two wins and two seconds from just five outings and will be rock-hard fit for this. Sure to be hitting the line with gusto. BALTIC COAST (1) has been thereabouts in both runs this campaign and will be at his peak now third-up from the spell. Rates a serious danger. ULTIMATE OUTCOME (4) just ran into one better over this track and trip last time out and gets Dolan on from the low draw. Top-three candidate. WICKED'N' LOVIN'IT (8) next in line.
RACE 4 - GRAPE EXPECTATIONS (3) has hit the frame at the past couple of starts and looks to be working up to a maiden victory. Gets the services of gun hoop Orman in the irons and should be going very close. LOYALTY COUNTS (5) has placed around this circuit and step-up in trip suits. Drawn perfectly in gate one and rates highly on best form. DURBAN HARBOUR (1) has been thereabouts in all three outings to date and is improving with racing. In the mix. MR TADASHI (2) hails from an astute barn and cannot be discounted. GOOD KARMA (9) best of the rest in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 5 - DARK CHILL (4) has a handy record here with a win and a placing from just two starts and will be high on confidence following thaty last-start victory. Gets Orman on from the favourable draw and should be right there when the whips are cracking. AIDEN (2) has placed two from two over this course and distance and has been given a little freshen-up coming into this. Nicely placed to feature in the outcome. SMART AS SMART (7) got the job done at the latest effort and is drawn to get a cosy run in transit from gate one. Top-three commodity. HELL FOLLOWS (11) rounds out the selections.
RACE 6 - CAPITAL CHASE (2) is still a maiden but showed plenty of ability last preparation and was backed off the map when runner-up before the spell. Where there's smoke there's fire and can run a massive race while fresh. HEARTS ARE RACING (11) was a dominant maiden winner last time out and is drawn to get a soft run from the inside marble. Can go back-to-back. KERNEL BOOM (8) saves his best for this course and distance with two wins and two placings from nine attempts. In the mix. TORQUE ABOUT MAGIC (9) is first-up here but the form she showed when last in work was very consistent. Respect any market confidence. LITTLEMISSCANCAN (12) doesn't win out of turn but draws low and gets some weight relief with the 2kg claim. Worth including in exotics.
RACE 7 - Looks a wide open affair. NAAHRO (3) is a very consistent conveyance who has hit the top-five at his past eight starts and has placed two from three when fresh. Having his first run for the new stable and any market confidence must be noted. BEEN A SECRET (8) has placed around this circuit and will be at peak fitness for this. Can play a big role in the finish. MERCHANT FLYER (4) strips fitter second-up and gets Orman on board to navigate from the sticky draw. Shapes as a key contender. GRANDCOEUR (10) best of the rest.
RACE 8 - LOST HIS BEANS (8) hasn't done much wrong with two wins and a second to start the career and strikes a very winnable contest here. Looks the runner in this field with the most upside and should give this a mighty shake. KEEPMEINTHELOPE (13) is an honest type who has only missed a drum once in five starts. Drawn to get a suck run from gate three and can run a big race while fresh. BAD EDUCATION (1) loves this course and distance with three wins and a placing from just five attempts. Gets 2kg off and has to be included. SOO SWEET (14) back from 57 day freshen-up and has the benefit of a trial placing. Can measure up.
