Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - GOLDRUSH GURU (1) hasn't taken a step wrong in his two resuming efforts, lengthening nicely again here last time to score with a bit up his sleeve. Carries more weight but doubt that will hinder him a great deal. BIG BRUTE (2) bounced back sharply off a disappointing run in the Sires with a solid chase into the frame at Flemington. No tougher this time and gets in well at the weights with the claimer reuniting. Main danger. WILD WINNER (4) was a determined maiden winner last start when going forward at Balaklava. Holder sticks from another favourable draw. Should be in this for a long way. MONDELLO (6) and QUEENOFTHEAIR (3) finished behind Wild Winner last start. Both meet the winner better at the weights this time and warrant good thought.

RACE 2 - OOCHIE MAGUCCHEE (11) is a four-year-old Sir Prancealot mare on debut for the sharp juvenile stable of R & C Jolly. Showed plenty of ability at the trials with a stylish win at Murray Bridge. Expect her to make an immediate impact. OVERSTATED (7) also has his first start and is a son of Overshare. Comes through the same trial as the Jolly runner, ambling into second. Holder sticks and he looks set to run well. COMMISSIONS (3) was good on debut at Murray Bridge when showing good tactical speed. He was too bad to be true here last start when dropping right out. Drops back in trip off 35-day freshen. Watch for sharp improvement. BOLTONOVA (2) has been thereabouts in his last two. Carries a fitness and is worth keeping safe.

RACE 3 - LOTTAROC (2) was poised nicely when straightening last start at Sandown-Hillside but faltered late over the 2400m. Was good over this trip two back when finishing second in what has produced two subsequent winners. Can give this a big shake. CALL ME VEXATIOUS (1) made a complete mess of his BM68 rivals here last start. Carries more weight with the slight drop in grade but should still prove very tough to stop. BOLSHOI PRINCESS (9) brings Vic form-lines. Is yet to strike through this campaign but is knocking on the door. Saw a positive change of tactics last start when going forward over the longer trip at Cranbourne. Only has to hold his form to be competitive. WHISPERING PHARAOH (8) dug deep to head out a maiden win two back on the syntho, and then went desperately close to making it two on the bounce. Tougher this time but gets weight off. One of the chances. CHOSEN MISS (4) and BUSH INFLUENCE (6) will be the ones to watch charging hardest late.

RACE 4 - LAVISH THINKER (5) doesn't win out of turn but is going much better than his form reads. Has savaged the line in both runs back. The rise in trip looks perfect third-up and will take plenty of stitching, especially if Neindorf can utilise the inside draw. ON THE SCENT (4) has returned in great form this campaign. Found himself too far back six days ago in the Halidon Cup but did get going late to just miss the frame. Added trip suits and he's an obvious threat. SANDASTAN (1) beat home On The Scent in the Cup. Meets him a touch worse at the weights but is drawn to take closer order. Warrants serious consideration. EIGHT ON THE DOT (7) is ticking along nicely this campaign and can add some juice to exotics.

RACE 5 - LA CASONA (2) has gone better than the form reads in his last two starts on the Sandown tracks. Drawn much kinder this time and is aided at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged. Well placed to play a major role. Similar story for RICHE D'AMOUR (5) who is also going better than the bare form suggests. Will appreciate stepping back out to the 1250m on the short turnaround. Low draw another bonus. THE GOLDEN FIST (3) lengthened nicely to shed the tag last start in what has proven to be a strong maiden. Tougher this time but has to be respected with gun hoop in Toeroek sticking. DESERT DANCING (11) carries impressive form-line with plenty of winners around her. Will be doing her best work late and has to be kept safe.

RACE 6 - AVIATRESS (7) is yet to strike through this campaign but has come very close against quality opposition. Expect her to be peaking now with Toeroek taking back over from a favourable draw. SIXTEEN REASONS (13) is currently her own worst enemy as she continues to miss the jump, only to charge home late when it's all over. Talented type on her day and can cause a scare if close enough. JACKS ON ICE (1) has built nicely into this campaign and could be ready to fire. Relishes this trip and is aided again at the weights with the 3kg claimer sticking. Serious hope. BALLON D'OR (12) was embarrassed last start but it was too bad to be true. Has ability and Pannell reuniting is a good push for her chances. THIRSTY GUEST (3) returns. No doubt looking for further but his trial placing in lead-up could have him forward enough to sneak into the frame. Don't underestimate.

RACE 7 - FAVOURITE CHILD (2) has progressed impressively this campaign and is in career-best form. Comes in fresh after being scratched at the gates when favourite for the Balaklava Cup. Will be in this for a very long way. BRAVE STAR (3) beat home Favourite Child earlier prep. Meets her slightly worse at the weights this time but is also ticking along superbly this campaign and is sure to be competitive again. LETHAL THOUGHTS (1) carries solid Vic formlines. Goes well over this journey and is drawn to get a soft run. Only needs to hold is form to be featuring. KOMACHI (9) failed to finish off last. Gets a nice weight pull on the short turnaround and can bounce back sharply. Watch for him launching late.

RACE 8 - LONGER ROUTE (8) didn't give his rivals a sniff last start when leading pillar-to-post on the main track. Backs up quickly and is drawn well again. No reason he can't repeat the dose. JILLADORA (3) will appreciate the hot tempo after rattling home from the rear to score impressively here two weeks. Enjoyed a ratings spike and can give this a big shake if she holds her form. ANGELIC APPEAL (14) ripped home to just miss when resuming at Murray Bridge. Nowhere near as effective last start but can get things back on track third-up. Can add plenty of juice to exotics. SOLAR BLAST (6) is also knocking on the door and has to be kept safe.

RACE 9 - KINETIC JEWEL (12) returns and while she's yet to salute fresh she did only miss by a long neck when resuming here last time in. Looks to have come back in great order on the back of a handy Murray Bridge trial placing. Drawn tricky but is expected to play a major role. AZTEC DANCER (13) followed up his win at Murray Bridge with a barnstorming minor placings here two weeks ago behind a smart one. Will head straight back again from her wide alley and be saved for the final shot at them. THE STALKER (8) returns and it's worth noting he got the job done here when fresh last campaign. Will hunt forward and give backers a sight. OAKLAND RAIDER (9) also resumes and is another who looks to have taken the right steps during his break. Key booking of Toeroek adds further confidence.