Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - YOURAWIZARD (3) made a nice return and indicated he was close to shedding his maiden status when rattled late to go under narrowly when second over this track and trip on March 28. Tempo suits and strips fitter now. BOX OF CRACKERS (8) fitter after two runs back and total forgive on the heavy (8) track when sixth over 1200m at Wagga Riverside on April 8. Backs up quickly and go on run two back when assessing his prospects. BRIE BRIE (9) best effort in eight starts when sat on the speed for a tough third over 1200m at Wagga Riverside. Hard fit now and the claim helps again. Stays in the mix. SCARLI JAPALI (11) Adelaide filly from a Zabeel mare on debut for the Warren yard. Has placed in both trials at Hawkesbury and Goulburn and must be kept safe.
RACE 2 - YES YES TESS (6) kept fresh for this and drops in grade after failing to finish the race off when seventh in the LR St Albans Stakes at Moonee Valley over 1200m on March 23. Since fitted with a recent 1000m trial placing and can finish over the top of these. CONJOIN (1) sound debut two back before failing to stretch out in the heavy (8) going when fifth over 1200m at Wagga Riverside on April 8. Tongue-tie goes on and expected to figure prominently. TAKE THE RAP (5) Star Turn two-year-old gelding out of an I Am Invincible mare on debut for the Norm Gardner yard. Recent trial win over 800m at Goulburn was full of merit. Maps to get the right run. THREEFOLD (11) can figure in the finish.
RACE 3 - DOLLY (10) has finished in the minor money at all three career runs and has solid top-three claims. Hit the line late in the heavy (8) going when resuming with a close-up second over 1065m at Wagga Riverside on April 8. Has clearly come back well and looks one of the key runners. BLUE BAYOU (8) Smart Missile filly who stuck on well in the heavy (10) going when third on debut over 1000m at Canberra on December 1. In a leading yard and market moves must be closely monitored. DIVRON (9) pushed forward on debut before tiring late in the heavy (8) going when third over 1065m at Wagga Riverside. Strips fitter now and has the speed to get across from the wide gate. VELOCE ROSA (12) Sooboog filly from Ginali on debut. Recent trial winner at Kembla Grange. Include.
RACE 4 - SIZZLE MINIZZLE (2) underrated gelding who stuck on well when a gritty third over 1700m in the Wellington Cup on April 14. Extra trip shouldn't pose a problem and will take holding out. LOOK SHARPISH (6) bounced back to form with the claim when a dominant 3.5 len win of the Kerang Cup over 1800m on March 30. Has no weight again and expected to play a leading role. CYBORG (7) stretched out to this trip for the first time when plugged away to secure third over 1800m at Wagga Riverside on April 8. Likely to get back and pounce late. VICTORY AT OMAHA (3) on the quick back-up and drops in weight after tiring with the 59kg when eighth over 1600m at Newcastle on April 13. Should get the trip and can finish in the minor money.
RACE 5 - HOWLING VICTORY (6) handy mare who was just over three weeks between runs when had no luck from the wide gate tiring to finish seventh at Albury over this trip on April 15. Backs up quickly and best figures can see her take this out. KEITH (4) best form is over this track and trip and looks ready to win after sitting on the pace for a tenacious nose second over this trip at Albury. Will hold a forward position again and take catching. MY BLUE JEANS (7) tough old gelding who relished the step-up in distance when powered late for a close-up second over 1600m at Nowra on March 31. A repeat of latest can see him take a hand in the finish. CHAOTIC BEAUTY (3) sharp drifter in betting and ran accordingly when a dismal tenth over 1600m at Dubbo on April 7. Winning rider Coriah Keatings hops back aboard and expecting a sharp improvement.
RACE 6 - EVERIDO (1) promising Canberra-trained gelding who returned good figures late when a close-up fifth over 1400m at Randwick Kensington three-and-a-half weeks ago. Will find this more to his liking and should get the right tempo to finish over the top of these. DUNLOE (4) building a nice record and peaked third-up when a strong on-pace winner over 1400m at Ballarat on March 24. Well drawn again and both wins have come over this trip. Go close. TOES IN THE WATER (7) gritty return in the heavy (8) going when stuck on well to finish third over 1200m at Wagga Riverside in similar company. Goes just as well second-up and undefeated at this trip. CHECK SIDE (12) worth including for value.
RACE 7 - CANNY HELL (8) classy Hellbent gelding with the solid record of four wins from eight starts. Sat on the speed from a sticky gate when a tenacious 0.8 len winner over 1400m at Albury on March 22. Undefeated this trip and since kept up to the mark with a recent 900m trial win. Hard to hold out from the good draw. FREE MARKET (13) scored a well-deserved win at Moonee Valley two back, then never got into the contest when sixth over 1175m at Albury on March 21. Smart when right and should get the required tempo. THE PRODIGAL SON (11) kept safe in betting when returned for a disappointing 11th over 1200m at Caulfield on April 6. Big improver from the draw and not to be underestimated. MISS OSTEND (5) resumes from a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished fourth at her most recent appearance over 1300m at Moruya. Placed in a recent trial. Don't dismiss.
RACE 8 - COMMUNICATION (2) back sharply in class for this after tiring late when sixth over 1500m at Yarra Valley on March 29. Better suited back to this trip and go on her runs two and three back. LETME ENTERTAINYOU (7) drifted back early before making up ground late when fifth over 1200m at this track three-and-a-half weeks ago. Finds a fairly weak contest and can turn things around. SANDRINE (8) has returned much stronger this prep and holding her form well. Sat on a solid speed when tiring to finish third over 1200m at Geelong on April 12. Fitter now and stays in the mix. NAUTICO (9) bounced back to winning form at Canberra last start and rates a chance in this field.
