Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - UNDERCOVER AGENT (5) returns and makes his stable debut for David Jolly. Showed positive signs under Grahame Begg back in Vic, without being able to break through. Impressed in recent trial win and a forward showing is anticipated. SAVETHEBESTTILLAST (4) is a four-year-old Your Song gelding stepping out on debut for smart Clarken & O'Shea partnership. Comes through the same lead up trial as Undercover Agent, with his rival working home a touch better. Crowther sticking off the trial reads favourably. Can make a bright start. TANCREDI (6) is a son of Pariah facing the starter for the first time from the Jeffrey Searle stable. Strips fitter for a recent trial placing when ridden by Alana Livesey who stays aboard. Right in the mix. NO NAME NIGEL (3) is another debutant that warrants consideration off the back of some sound trial performances. Respect any market support.
RACE 2 - HEY MIKKI (9) was an eye-catcher when resuming off a long break at Oakbank, lengthening nicely over the concluding stages to finish midfield. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt. Leading player. ELSIE GIRL (8) is an Inference mare stepping out on debut for Belinda O'Loughlin. Showed promising signs in recent Mt Gambier trial win and looks capable of making a very bright start. Dom Tourneur piloting is another good push for her chances. SHAMPAS (11) gave backers a bold sight first up at Oakbank but just conceded late. Strips fitter and is expected to be in this for a long way. FRESH AIR FRED (1) finds the maiden win elusive but has gone close on quite a few occasions. In the mix on best figures.
RACE 3 - INAGURATE (7) has found it very tough to break the ice but looks ready to finally get off the mark. Has gone close in both runs back this campaign and should be cherry ripe now third-up. Dom Tourneur goes back aboard and has placed aboard the mare on four occasions. Ready. SEVEN SHOTS (5) warmed to his task nicely over the concluding stages when closing off quickly into a midfield finish. Drawn much kinder this time and gets a key jockey booking in Crowther. Main danger. CROWN AND ANCHOR (1) was denied narrowly two back at Mt Gambier when beaten a head. Not as effective last start when sent out favourite but was far from disgraced. Drawn ugly but is worth consideration on best form. FREE FALLIN' (3) chased gamely into the placings last time at Penola and carries a clear fitness edge. Expecting him to make his presence felt. MY GAL VAL (10) strips fitter third up and is a likely improver. Can't leave out of calculations.
RACE 4 - LITTLE RICH BOY (3) doesn't boast the best winning strike rate but rarely turns in a poor one. Rates highly on best figures and goes well over this journey. Expect him to be featuring in the finish. MISS GATSBY (10) finds the second win elusive but again turned in a solid performance when beaten a neck at Penola. Consistent type that is capable of making her presence felt. JUSTICA'S BONUS (2) chased strongly into the placings when resuming at Clare. Sure to have taken improvement from the hit-out and shapes as one of the key chances. ZOULY (9) has done a good job to find the frame in both resuming efforts. Hasn't won for a very long time but gets her chance third-up.
RACE 5 - FREE BEER (1) carries the class in this contest. Was beaten narrowly two back in a BM64, then was far from disgraced at Oakbank in Open company last start. Drawn ugly but is good enough to overcome. KUSHAN KHANIVALE (6) has found the line nicely in his three runs back. Fitter again and is ready to play a major role. LUNASHA (11) was a dominant maiden winner first-up but couldn't quite follow it up last start. Fitter third-up and gets the key booking of Crowther. Don't underestimate. ANY LUCK (13) next best.
RACE 6 - RED PATROL (1) has been in great form of late, most recently filling the frame in the Mt Gambier Cup. Strikes a much easier assignment and deserves to carry the top weight. Expect him to race prominently and take some catching in the lane. HOLMES (7) hasn't done a great deal wrong this campaign and could easily have more than the one win to his name. Tougher this time but is capable of stepping up to the mark. VICTORY BANDIT (5) was a handy winner two back at Mt Gambier but couldn't quite follow it up last time out. Rates highly on best efforts and is worth including. WEST CLIFF (3) best of the rest.
RACE 7 - SECRET WAR (2) gave backers another bold sight at the latest, only to be caught on the line again. Shoulders a strong record third-up and is sure to take plenty of reeling in. ALL BEANS (1) was far from disgraced last start in the LR Hills Railway Stakes. Faces a much easier assignment this time and is aided at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged. Shouldn't spend a penny from the gate and should be fighting out the finish. ZUFASTA (8) chased determinedly into the placings last start. Tougher this time but gets in low at the weights and is one to watch for late in the piece. KATIM'S CLUB (5) strips fitter second-up and is worth including.
RACE 8 - CLUB PUNTER (5) doesn't win out of turn but put the writing on the wall last start when knuckling down gamely to hold down a minor placings. Tricky draw to overcome but only has to hold his form to be there at the business end. THE GREY KING (8) progressed nicely last start when driving hard to get the verdict at Oakbank. Is open to further improvement and has Crowther sticking but will need a smart steer from the wide gate. OFCOURSE I WILL (10) failed to live up to market expectation last start when below his best at Penola. Drawn much kinder this time and is capable of a much stronger showing. PEACEMAKER (2) next best.
