Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Open race to kick off the card. YET HE MOVES (7) has been racing very consistently of late and is likely to take a forward position for Orman from the low draw. Drops back slightly in trip here so should be strong at the finish. FLEUR DU MONDE (6) got a confidence-building victory last time out and winning hoop Collett sticks in the saddle. Can go back to back. WAIRERE FALLS (3) hails from a handy family (half to 4xG1 winner Sacred Falls) and is better than recent efforts suggest. Worth another chance. SILVER WARRIOR (11) has been racing well in lesser grade but gets in very light with the claim and a strong showing would not surprise.
RACE 2 - HYDE (1) has won two from two around this circuit, draws the inside alley and gets 3kg weight relief with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. DIANA'S AFFAIR (13) is knocking on the door of another victory with two consecutive runner-up finishes and Orman stays on top. Right in this. PATMOS ISLAND (2) has a win and a second from two attempts at the course and distance and cannot be discounted. HULKAMANIA (14) doesn't know how to run a bad race and is a must for the exotics players.
RACE 3 - I AM THE EMPIRE (7) has been plying his trade in metropolitan races in the southern states and should find this assignment more to his liking. Has two wins and two seconds from seven attempts at the trip and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Rates the testing material. THESECONDATPORTSEA (9) has been thereabouts in recent efforts and looks ready for the step-up to the 2200m here. Solid top-three candidate on best form. COUP DE TONNERRE (4) is a three-time winner over this distance range and will be rock-hard fit for this. Cannot be ignored. BEDFORD SQUARE (8) rounds out the selections.
RACE 4 - MISHANI LILY (1) showed she has come back in good order with a dominant Doomben victory first-up and will have come on with that run now in the locker. Gets 3kg off from the inside marble and can continue on her winning ways here. DEFIANT BOOM (4) was a touch plain at the latest effort but the two wins prior were full of merit. Worth another chance. GIN A TONIC (3) has won two from three over this trip and may run a race while fresh. TIPSY TIGER (8) next best in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 5 - CATWALK CRIMINAL (10) is a consistent campaigner who has three wins and three placings from just seven outings and looks ready to step-up to the 1200m now. Drawn perfectly in gate one and gets in light at the weights. Expected to play a major role in the outcome. POWERFUL PEG (3) resumes here but has a handy fresh record with a win and two seconds from four attempts. Will find this easier than what she contested last campaign and her best form puts her right in this. BURNING BELL (4) is yet to miss a drum in three first-up efforts and has a very good overall winning strikerate. Respect. SWEET MARGOT MAY (1) wasn't too far off them in Listed company at the latest run and should appreciate the drop back in grade here. In the mix. JAYANTHI (7) next in line.
RACE 6 - A shame for a few key scratchings. PLUNDERING (12) had been racing honestly this campaign before finally breaking through for a well-deserved victory over this distance range at Doomben last time out. Winning hoop Stewart sticks in the saddle and should get a gun run in transit from the inside alley. Can go right on with the job now. SECRET PLAN (9) loves this journey and gets some weight relief with the claim. In the mix. HARDWARE LANE (4) and BLAZE A TRAIL (2)best of the rest.
RACE 7 - MIDORI BEAUTY (1) returned in fine fashion with a fast-finishing Doomben victory and will have come on with that run under the belt. Top-three aspirations. The consistent ROMEO'S CHOICE (5) will strip fitter second-up from the spell and rarely puts in a poor one. Has to be considered. THELWELL (7) has been thereabouts in his two resuming efforts. Peaking now and can get the job done. RUSSIAN SUB (20) continues to knock on the door. Have to keep onside.
RACE 8 - The well-named BARASSI (16) hasn't done much wrong to start the career with a win and two placings from three efforts with that victory coming in the rich maiden during the Magic Millions carnival. Tuned up for this with two recent trials and gets in light at the weights with the claim. Will prove tough to hold out. RALPHIE (2) is a four-time winner over this sprint trip and will be rock-hard fit for this. In the mix on best form. SIMBU (6) is a bit hit or miss but has won two from three this preparation and cannot be discounted. The well-related EMPEROR (1) (half to G1 winner Joliestar) best of the rest with Orman on board.
RACE 9 - DIRT CHEAP (23) is as honest as the day is long and is yet to miss a drum in seven career outings. Drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and will be rock-hard fit for this fifth run from the spell. Looks very hard to toss. CRANKY HARRY (3) loves this distance range with three wins and six placings from just ten attempts and has been racing in a rich vein of form of late. Draws low for Orman and should be right there at the business end. IVERSON (15) is usually thereabouts and gets some weight relief with the claim. One for the exotics. BLAKMAX (2) also warrants respect.
