Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BLOOMTIME (9) has run the quinella her last three and there was only a nose in it here last time in better grade. Deserves to break through and gets her chance in this lineup. MISS TANZANITE (6) also brings a string of placings. Led and was just pipped here 26 days ago and draws low. Newitt goes on and she will take pegging back. CARNELIAN ROCK (2) races forward and went close in the Bloomtime race. Has a 3kg claim today and that brings him right into it. TIGERS ON TOP (11) showed enough on debut to suggest she is a chance. Didn't have much luck first-up with good support and has a low gate today and the blinkers first-time applied. Keep safe.
RACE 2 - MISS VIVACE (10) won a trial and resumed here with a 1L defeat over this journey. She's back on track and has more to give. Kept on the fresh side and is a solid each-way chance. WICKHAM LIGHT (8) trialled well and missed a nose here on debut. Still new but has the rail today and the key switch to Newitt. Fitter and should take beating. MILTON (3) was on speed here beaten 1.4L and then tackled longer and stronger and did about what was expected. Peaks and the blinkers are first time applied. Better suited and can get back on track. MISS PEBBLES (9) found one much too good at Hobart but covered the others and her effort three-back here would have her in the mix.
RACE 3 - SURELY SPECIAL (9) improved again missing a nose here over 1400m as equal favourite and is worth another chance at the mile. On a quick backup and will go close with average luck. PEPPARONI (11) won a Hobart Maiden easily and keeps the 3kg claim. Has an awkward gate wide gate but looks capable of taking the next step. HAVLICEK (3) peaks and made good improvement here last time. May be worth another chance at the mile. MONTEZULU (6) is racing well and can't be ruled out.
RACE 4 - MONTE BIANCO (5) settled at the tail of the field here last time and was never in the hunt. Posted a strong relative figure prior in a 72. Has the blinkers the first time applied and can sit up closer. Peaks and should go close. OPALSON (3) dropped back to this distance and won a Hobart CL1 comfortably. He always puts in and gets his chance to go back-to-back. FOREST DIAMOND (4) settled too far back in the same contest but made solid inroads. The ex-Victorian has been improved and fitter can't be ruled out. A LITTLE DECEIT (6) presents off a much-improved effort and will enjoy the step up to the mile. In the mix.
RACE 5 - I'M KEEFE (6) disappointed two-back but the form around that reads well. Missed 1L heavily bet at Hobart last time. Drops back 230m but he will lead or box-seat and will get every chance to make amends. GEEGEES CITY BOY (5) resumed further improved narrowly missing over 1100m. The extra metres suit and fitter he should be right in it. MANDATE (7) had been tracking well before disappointing last time. Keeps the 3kg claim and a better effort is likely. ESPUR (11) deserved the Maiden win and may go on with it now. POWER MAGNUM (8) is also has claims.
RACE 6 - SEYDOUX (1) runs along and missed the hat-trick by a lip in better class. The 3kg claim takes care of the weight lift and a bounce is likely. PRINCESS MATOAKA (6) went back-to-back at Hobart and has been narrowly beaten here the two since. Has been freshened and has had a sharp tick-over trial. Winning rider Newitt is reunited. A chance to go one better. GEEGEE JET BY (2) is third-up and ready to show his best. Has a 2kg claim and is in the mix. WARICA (3) is better than the most recent form suggests. Comes back from Open grade and the 3kg claim brings him into it.
RACE 7 - GALLANT WARRIORS (2) spiked his figures again winning back-to-back this grade/distance. He will further improve and has been freshened. He can deliver the hat-trick with average luck in the run. SUSHI EXPRESS (5) went close first-up and then impressed winning the CL1 here. He can use the paint and has won over this distance. The likely threat. FREAK ON A LEAD (1) runs along and just held on this grade and trip. He's a seasoned performer and a 3kg claimer goes aboard. Makes his own luck and is sure to give a sight. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (4) would be in the finish finding his best.
RACE 8 - GEEGEES HISWORD (1) bounced straight back winning the 76 over this distance. He keeps improving and has a handy 2kg claim this evening. He can make it three wins from his last four. CLIFTON DANSEUR (3) is a leader presenting from the same race. He faded late when beaten 2.8L and went down narrowly prior over 2400m. Gives himself every chance and should be right in the finish. KAY OH ELL (4) was plain the latest but went close the two prior. This is harder but she gets some weight relief and should be around the mark. AFRIDI (6) has placed his last two this journey also in lesser grade. Keep Newitt and is in the mix. ZULU ANGEL (2) has been running some nice races over a mile. Tackles a middle distance for the first time and is also worth a look.
