Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - RUNAWAY BELLE (9) was a handy winner first-up at Murray Bridge and has since followed it up with two strong chasing efforts. Shouldn't have to spend a penny from the gate this time and is in it up to her eyeballs. WONDERWOMEN (4) resumes and should be forward enough on the back of a Murray Bridge trial win in readiness. Shoulders a strong record over this journey and is right in the mix. MOUSE ALMIGHTY (6) continues to be ignored by the market. Rates highly on best figures and gets in low at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged. Can run another cheeky race at each-way odds. EL SALTO (3) lacks consistency but is handy enough on his day and warrants safekeeping.
RACE 2 - TULLAGHAN (7) doesn't win out of turn but is perfectly placed back in this grade. Found the line nicely again last start at Oakbank when finishing 2L away in fifth, in Open company. Only needs to hold his form to be fighting out the finish. SEASONS IN DE SUN (9) is yet to strike through this time in but has turned in some solid performance back in Victoria. The booking of leading hoop Jake Toeroek is a big push for her chance. Warrants serious consideration. WOLF PRINCE (2) made a complete mess of them two back at Oakbank. Not as effective last start but was tackling tougher opposition. This is a much more suitable assignment and reunites with Holder. One of the key players. Smaller case can also be made for KARAKA KIWI (3).
RACE 3 - CRIMSON VINE (12) was denied narrowly of bringing up the hat-trick last start when caught in the final stride. Not that much tougher this time and gets weight relief. Leading player. A SAMURAI MIND (13) lived right up to market expectations last time out when saluting with a bit up his sleeve. Open to further improvement and is expected to take plenty of stopping from the favourable draw. KARBURAN (3) only got going late last start at Caulfield. Stretching out nicely over the concluding stages to finish fifth. This is easier. Expect him to drift back from the gate and be taking the strongest strides late. Could just blow them away late. HOOPS (11) has been warming to her task nicely in her two resuming efforts but has run out of time. Fitter again and is ready to land the winning blow. I NEED A DRINK (1) is ticking along superbly this time in, finishing in the top two in his last five starts. Goes well over this journey and is sure to be in this for a long way.
RACE 4 - TRANTORO (13) didn't give his rivals a sniff when resuming at Gawler, leading pillar-to-post to shed her maiden tag. Tougher this time but is drawn to advantage and gets in well at the weights with the 2kg claimer sticking. Will take some reeling in. DODD (3) dug deep to fend off his main rivals and get on the scoreboard last time at Gawler. Fitter again and only needs to hold his form to be fighting out the finish again. PRINCE REICHWEITE (8) was an eye-catcher first-up. Drawn to go back again but warrants safekeeping. Another last-start maiden winner in EPISODIC (6) can also be included in the chances.
RACE 5 - ROCKSTAR MEGGSY (2) hasn't quite been able to threaten in her last two but will find this much easier. Drops back in trip off the short freshen and is aided at the weights with the 2kg claimer engaged. Plenty to like. FOXY FEMME (8) was denied a long neck of resuming a winner last start. The rise in trip will assist her chances significantly and also has the benefit of a soft draw. Right in this. PURE BLISS (10) knuckled down gamely to shed the maiden tag at Oakbank last time. The form from the race has stuck up superbly. Can go on with it now. TOI ET MOI (12) and EGYPTIAN TYCOON (5) carry similar formlines and other live chances. Don't dismiss.
RACE 6 - SUNZOU (2) showed good early dash when resuming at the latest but was claimed late. Strips fitter and is drawn to advantage. Will take some pegging back. VOLCANIC EXPRESS (10) worked into the race nicely then put paid to them comfortably last time at Murray Bridge. Tougher this time but can go on with it. SKINDER (9) never looked likely first up when always well back but got going late. Improvement to come second-up. Can finish over the top. CHOSEN BLONDE (1) is in a purple patch of form, as she shoots for four straight. Track and trip specialist who is sure to run another strong race. EVERLY (11) next best.
RACE 7 - PEARL ADIOS (6) was below his best last time when running into a smart one. Drops back slightly in trip with four weeks between runs. Ugly draw to overcome but a bold showing is anticipated with Holder back in the saddle. SIR KINGSFORD (7) closed off strongly to the line first up. Will likely head back again from the draw but has the well-associated Crowther reuniting. Can give this a big shake. UNDER THE CONE (11) drove hard to get the verdict by a head last start at a big quote. Deserves much more respect this time with Toeroek sticking. WILD WILLY (1) has been thereabouts in his last two after scoring at Murray Bridge. Shoulders handy formlines and is expected to make his presence felt.
RACE 8 - MATERIAL DREAMS (6) doesn't win out of turn but put the writing on the wall last time out when flashing home at Caulfield. Meets Miss Aria 3kgs better this and is well placed to strike the major blow. MISS ARIA (7) was denied a neck of making it back-to-back to wins launch the preparation. Cherry-ripe now and is sure to appreciate the longer journey. Will be finishing the fastest. OVERSTRIKE (1) recorded another strong front-running victory last start to make it 2/2 this campaign. Has enough early dash to offset the outside alley and is sure to take plenty of catching again for his rivals. FLOOZIE (11) strips fitter second-up gets the blinkers on first time. Could well prove the winning touch.
RACE 9 - SWEETENED (6) drops back from Listed company where she was doing her best work late in both resuming efforts. Expect her to take plenty of holding out if she can take closer order from the low draw. FANCIFY (8) returns and is unbeaten fresh. Consistent performer that rates highly on best efforts. Strips fitter for a soft trial in readiness. Bold showing anticipated. SIXTEEN REASONS (9) got well back last start but picked up nicely late to finish midfield. On the quick turnaround and gets the key booking of leading hoop Jake Toeroek. Major player this time. EXALTED DAME (7) has not raced since finishing fourth over 1400m at this track on February 3. Among the leading players.
RACE 10 - Competitive race to close things out. BALLON D'OR (3) wasn't able to get involved last start in the LR City of Adelaide Stakes, when always well back. Much better placed this time but is drawn ugly. Pannell reuniting helps her case greatly. Watch for her flying home late. JAZZ AFFAIR (15) went on with the job impressively second-up when scoring here a fortnight ago. Bit tougher this time but has plenty of scope for improvement and is expected to make her presence felt. MARACOURT (7) is yet to strike through this time in but is knocking on the door. Drops back in trip off a short freshen but has kept the legs ticking over with a soft Murray Bridge trial between runs. Right in the mix. TEXAN WINDSTORM (2) shoulders terrific formlines this campaign. Is a track and trip specialist that is more than capable of saluting again. Must include.
