Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - IN LOVE (11) gave backers a bold sight fresh but lacked a fitness edge late. Sure to have come on with that run under the belt. Expect her to charge forward again and prove hard to reel in. PRODIGAL LAD (3) closed off solidly into fourth when resuming here three weeks ago. Improvement to come and has gun hoop in Toeroek sticking. Main danger. STAR GLADIATOR (10) is a colt by Palentino on debut for Grant Young. Showed ability in a recent trial win at Morphettville. A betting push will add to the confidence. BOLTONOVA (1) resumes and looks to have progressed nicely during the break off the back of a handy trial win in readiness. Will pay to see what the market does with him.
RACE 2 - THE PLASTICS (9) is a first starter by Rich Enuff for the David Jolly camp. Has hit the line nicely in both lead-up trials and Brooke King stays with her. Looks set for a bright start to her career. STEEL TSUNAMI (8) is a first-starter by Omaha Beach for the smart Clarken & O'Shea partnership. Winner of recent Morphettville trial and is another that can make an immediate impact. TRULY ELSA (12) looks best out of the raced bunch. Strips fitter and should give another bold sight. KISS KISS KISS (6) was disappointing on debut but is a likely improver that is worth keeping safe.
RACE 3 - MANDINO (5) finds it tough to break the maiden but it certainly hasn't been without trying. Was denied narrowly last start at Gawler. Should be at top now third-up and is the one to beat. GILDED AGE (3) progressed nicely second-up when producing an eye-catching finish into third at Balaklava. Further improvement is anticipated. RHINESTONE RORY (7) came within a head of shedding his maiden tag last start. Carries a fitness edge and profiles to give this another big shake. NORMIE NO SHOW (6) strips fitter at his third start and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside pillar. Don't underestimate under the light weight.
RACE 4 - SHEARMAN DYER (4) doesn't win out of turn but has been turning in some nice performances against tougher opposition. Profiles strongly in this line-up, just needs a smart steer from the wide alley to be featuring prominently. KING OF AVALON (2) made a complete mess of his rivals two back and then and then followed it up with a solid minor placing at Balaklava. Ticking along nicely and only needs to gold his form to be very competitive again. SCAMSTER (8) has spent a long time out of the winner's circle but should find this easier. Has run well over this sort of journey before and is worth considering. MILITARY PRESS (3) shoulders some handy best figures and is worth keeping safe on the quick back-up.
RACE 5 - Tricky race to assess with plenty of chances engaged. MIDNIGHT POKER (6) was clearly well below her best first-up in testing conditions. Easier this time and can improve sharply. KAIDO (2) returned with a bang here three weeks ago when putting over 4L to his nearest rival. Carries more weight this time over the same track and trip. Have to take seriously. SUGGESTIVE MISS (11) resumes and has run well fresh without winning. Drawn a tough sticky but rates highly on best figures and gets her chance to break a long run of outs. ASTROMANCER (8) made light work of her Balaklava maiden last start. Tougher this time but she has more to offer. Cases can also be made for MADAM FURPHY (10) up and AZTEC DANCER (12).
RACE 6 - DARE TO BE FREE (10) struggles to notch up her second win but continues to knock on the door. Surrounded by subsequent winners and has run well over this track and trip. Ready. ZURI MISS (9) improved sharply second-up when scoring with authority at Mildura. Tougher this time but the booking of Opperman is a positive and it's also worth noting the application of blinkers first time. Don't take lightly. Fellow last-start winner HARBOURING (2) will be looking to keep on his merry way. Relishes this distance and is a two-time track winner. MR TRAFFICANTI (7) drops back slightly in trip off a 29-day break. Has struggled to threaten of late but is worth keeping safe as he makes his stable debut for Grant Young who has booked Jason Holder.
RACE 7 - HATEECH (8) was a dominant winner here two back in this grade and then was far from disgraced at the latest when tackling a tougher class. Easier this time and looks the one to beat. CHELSEA CUBE (3) sat on speed and fought gamely in the lane first-up. Better for the hit-out and has enough early dash to offset the wide alley quickly. Expect him to give a bold sight. BLIXTEN (10) was denied by the barest of margins last start when flashing home at Balaklava. Gets in well at the weights again and is worth serious consideration. ENLIST (1) next best.
RACE 8 - SPELMAN (3) doesn't win out of turn but comes through some good form races. Chased gamely to the line last start, not beaten far by a subsequent city winner. Back to the mid-weeks. Leading player. FLIGHT DECK (5) closed of strongly into the placings last start at Gawler. Drawn kinder this time and gets in well at the weights again. Worth considering. LEADER'S PRIDE (4) bounced back off a disappointing run at Gawler with a minor placing last start. Rates highly on best figures and is among the main chances. FLYING ASSASSIN (2) continues to knock on the door and is another that is worth including.
RACE 9 - LIMBERING (14) clearly went amiss last start when beaten a stretch here. Was solid in her first two runs of the prep when tackling tougher opposition. Expecting a sharp bounce back. LAVA LAD (8) has been well below his best in two runs when tackling testing conditions. Will appreciate the firmer footing and can turn things right around. TRAK CHILLER (9) was among the placings last time at Bordertown and will be fitter again, can figure in the finish. STREETCAR APOLLO (3) hasn't quite threatened yet this campaign but should find this easier. Kept on the fresh side for this and is among the chances.
