Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WILD WINNER (11) is a three-year-old Highland Reel filly out of Court Pastoral who has produced some winners. Worked to the line nicely in her only public trial and gets a key booking of Holder. Hoping she goes as good as she looks. RIVER CLYDE (2) returns for Brett Campbell. Failed to make an impact on debut when tackling a handy 2YO race. Worked well between some handy types in a January jumpout but hasn't been sighted since. Expected to make a bright return. ZOUHOFF (5) is a Zousain gelding on debut for Travis Doudle. Looked smart in a recent trial with today's rider Teagan Voorham up. With the blinkers added shapes as one to consider. A case can also be made for STRASBEAU (4). Will pay to see what the market does with them.
RACE 2 - MINE ALL MINE (3) finds the maiden win elusive, but it hasn't been without trying. Added another minor placing to the tally last start when in town. Easier this time and he only needs to hold his form the be taking this out. NOITULOVER (12) was denied narrowly of resuming a winner at Mildura. Picked up soundly in the lane last start at Murray Bridge without threatening the winner. Peaking now and looks the main danger. Will just need some luck from the wide alley. THE PROPHET'S HAND (7) is an Inference gelding on debut for Byron Cozamanis. Found the line nicely in only lead-up trial and gets a key jockey booking in Jason Holder. Can make a bright start. MERCURY EIGHT (2) was good on debut at Murray Bridge but struggled last start when showing signs of the thumps. Willing to forgive. Don't dismiss.
RACE 3 - FAST BUBBLES (4) improved sharply second-up when stepping out to 1200m. Better suited over the longer journey third-up and gets the key booking of Toeroek. Bold showing anticipated. COLLATED (2) has shown positive signs in his first two starts, placing in both. Further improvement expected and he's among the key chances. RAW GRUNT (16) didn't give a shout in his debut prep but looks to have come on nicely during the break on the back of a dominant trial win. Draws to get all the favours and could sneak under the radar. HARD LEAF (11) finds it tough to get off the mark but has shown glimpses of ability. Ugly draw to overcome but is worth keeping safe. SWISS WISH (15) is another that returns and appears to have come on well during the break. Unfavourable draw but is one for the exotics.
RACE 4 - ALLEGEDLY (4) has been thereabouts in his last two when finding the frame. Strikes an easier assignment this time and rates a leading player. DIVINE FIRE (5) is yet to strike through this campaign but is another that should find this easier. Tricky draw to contest but Ben Price reuniting is a positive. Well placed to make her presence felt. CHUCKAMICKY (2) dug deep in the lane to shed her maiden tag last start at Mildura. Can improve with winning confidence and is among the main chances. PRIDE OF SHALAA (1) was a barnstorming maiden winner two back but struggled to repeat the dose last start. Is a backmarker that gets home hard. Keep safe.
RACE 5 - POINTLESS PRAISE (3) made a promising return back in June but has since disappointed. Strikes his easiest assignment in quite some time back in this grade and is a course and distance winner. Draws favourably with winning hoop in Pannell reuniting. No excuses. FIZIQUE (1) kept going here last start to record a comfortable on-pace victory. Unbeaten over the track and trip and is drawn well again. Main danger. WHISKY SOUR (4) was prominent at the turn last start and didn't lie down in the lane when beaten narrowly at Gawler. Should be making his presence felt again. HOT FLUSH (2) fought hard to hold off Whisky Sour last start. Worth noting apprentice goes on to aid at the weights. Needs to be considered. MILITARY PRESS (6) next best.
RACE 6 - STORM VOYAGER (4) progressed nicely third-up when going forward at Mt Gambier. Doesn't win out of turn but rates highly on best figures and is one of the key chances. SUGGESTIVE MISS (11) never looked likely when resuming at Murray Bridge but was warming to her task late. The rise in trip suits on the quick turnaround. Good chance to break a long run of outs. OUR SHINING STAR (9) is yet to cause too much of threat this campaign but will find this an easier task. Kept on the fresh side with 32 days between runs and gets a key jockey booking in Toeroek. Looks one of main hopes. MISS THATCHER (6) next best.
RACE 7 - BLIXTEN (7) has been denied by barre margins in his last two. No tougher this time but carries more weight with Payne taking over from the apprentice. Gets another great chance to break a long run of outs. EIGHT ON THE DOT (2) warmed to his task nicely when resuming a long way short of a preferred trip. The extra 200m suits on the quick back-up. Expect him to drift back again from the draw and be climbing over their backs late. LAST WAR (14) has hit the line nicely in his last two and is another that holds appeal on the short turnaround. Can take closer order from the kinder draw. In the mix. EVEN SHARPER (6) will find this easier and is worth keeping safe on best efforts.