Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SIDE CASH (6) is yet to fill a placing in 12 starts but finds a soft race here. Good effort first up over the mile at Wagga then battled on evenly to finish fourth in a Class 1 over this distance at Canberra last start. Should be peaking now. ROYAL PHAROAH (1) was a shade disappointing at the Wagga Riverside last Monday when well beaten over 1800m. Gets a drier track and the 2kg claim will help. THE CAST OFF (8) has failed to fire since winning over 1600m on debut at Hanging Rock on Australia Day, the only occasion she has worn blinkers. The shades go back on today so she might surprise. DREAMSTONE (3) is fitter for two runs back from a spell and is looking for this journey now. BATAHI (2) caught the eye at Kerang last start and looks ready for 2000m.
RACE 2 - BEOGRAD BOY (6) lines up for the 20th time but the maiden win looks imminent. Drove hard late only to miss by a whisker last start over a similar trip to this at the Sapphire Coast. That form is good enough to take this out. IMPOSING TALLULAH (5) led but knocked up and missed the placings when fresh from a spell last time out over this distance at Wagga. Lightly raced filly who draws a far better gate this time and has plenty of improvement to come. BRIDGET ROSE (7) found the frame for the first time last start in a lowly maiden at Tocumwal. Beaten just three lengths here the start before which puts her in the picture. KUROKAREN (2) is back from a five-week spell. Filled a placing at four of the five runs in her maiden prep, including the only try over today's journey. Big chance if forward enough. LADY RUBICK (8) resumes. Failed at her only two runs, both over 1000m. Worth another chance over this trip.
RACE 3 - TANTALUM (12) returned from a six-month spell for new trainer Garry Kirkup last start and made an immediate impression, beaten narrowly in a three-way go over 1400m at Canberra after giving away a big start. Draws perfectly and will enjoy the extra 100m so she looks a great chance to break through in a pretty thin maiden. MAYFAIR HOTEL (10) is back after a 164-day absence. Finished a distant second when resuming from a break last prep over 1400m at this track. The engagement of Danny Beasley is a positive lead. The logical danger DANCER ONE (1) improved sharply last start when lining up for only the second time, going to the front and holding on well for second over 1400m at Wagga. Should be competitive again. SPECIAL SPOT (2) has not appeared since finishing down the track on debut at Benalla in October. Early money suggests he has more to offer this time. HIGH GARDEN (7) is ready to improve third-up over a bit more ground.
RACE 4 - PRINCESS HALO (9) kicked off this prep with a couple of minor placings over today's trip, leading on both occasions before being overhauled. Failed last time when extended to 1200m. Big chance back to 1000m from a nice gate with no weight. SHEILA (1) has returned in good order with two runner-up cheques from as many runs, the latest in a similar race to this at Wagga 18 days ago. Speedy mare who carries weight well and should be prominent for a long way. SHOOTING FOR STARS (3) made it two wins from her last four outings when too strong for Sheila over this journey at Wagga last time out. Drawn out a bit but going too well to overlook. DUPRIDE STAR (4) has been freshened up since a moderate effort over this distance at Wagga a month ago. Races well here and draws the fence so cannot be underestimated. LUNAR SOLAR (5) can improve dropping back in trip.
RACE 5 - CHECK SIDE (3) broke his maiden in impressive fashion last start over 1175m at this track, coming from next to last on the bend to win with plenty in hand. Progressing nicely and the extra trip can only help. The one to beat again. CLEAREDHOT (12) settled handy and was a shade too strong last time out in a Wagga maiden over this distance. Wide gate a concern but at just the third run of the prep she has more to offer. TEXAS OPEN (9) finally cracked the ice at start 16 recently over today's journey at Canberra, getting home by the barest margin. Very fit and worth following. ARTIST (1) did little first-up over 1200m at Wagga but might be looking for this trip now so is worth another chance. BOBOTOV (6) races well here and could be tough to catch if left alone in front.
RACE 6 - BIG OPINION (10) returned from a 20-week spell last start with a narrow maiden win over 1000m at Moruya after travelling up on the pace from the outset. Eligible for an easier race but he is a sparingly raced three-year-old in a leading stable so he should go on with the job now. DIVAZOU (2) led early but folded up badly in a Class 2 over 1400m at Wagga last start. Freshened up and draws a far better barrier this time. Expect sharp improvement. BRIDIE'S LUCK (5) rallied late to get up for second at her latest run over 1000m at Wagga on 14 March. Looks nicely placed out to this trip, with the gap between runs the only niggle. TRIFECTA RUBY (11) was too bad to be true last time. Going well before that so she deserves another chance. CHOP THE ICE (1) is a strong fresh performer who must be respected first-up after a six-month break.
RACE 7 - OVERRUN (6) strung together four top-two finishes over a wide range of trips before finding the 2000m Albury Cup far too rich last start. Back in her right grade and the mile looks like the optimum trip. Should bounce back. COUNTY KILKENNY (8) was good first-up at Wagga then looked in need of more ground when down the track over 1400m here last time. Finished just 1.4 lengths away in Canberra last prep at his only other try at the mile. Definite contender. SNAP BOOK (3) improved sharply when second-up from a spell recently, closing strongly to finish just 0.6 lengths away over 1500m at this circuit. Generally peaks third-up so despite the big weight he is one to include. DANGER MAN (12) is back in form with a couple of strong performances over this distance recently, the latest a tough win at Swan Hill. Should be competitive again in similar grade. HOWLING VICTORY (10) has been edged out at her last couple and can win this without surprising.
