Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - TARANAKI (5) has been knocking on the door of a maiden victory and looked handy placing in town at the latest effort. Gets the deadly Maloney/Waller combination and can improve enough to give this a mighty shake. BENZINO (1) just missed the placings on debut before running into one better at Doomben last time out. Drawn to get across easily from gate two and should be right there when the whips are cracking. PRIDE OF PASSION (4) put in a career-best performance when runner-up over this track and trip last start and another big run is on the cards. SWITZERLAND SUN (7) will be at peak fitness now and gets in well at the weights with the claim. In the mix. TRAPEZE FLYER (6) is next in line in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 2 - ADDITION (5) has been plying her trade in town in all four outings to date and will find this drop in grade much more to her liking. Strips fitter now third-up from the spell and should be right there at the business end. ICED CHOCOLATE (7) put in a nice effort placing in town last time out and Berriman sticks. Has to be included. MORGANITE (9) failed last start but go on the solid second on debut. Worth another chance with the 3kg claim from the favourable draw.
RACE 3 - MEHRETU (6) has been in the mix in all four starts to date and this is not an overly strong affair. Gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Ticks a lot of boxes. The well-related TURN THE CORNER (3) (half to G1 winner Royal Merchant) was well in the betting on debut but just ran into one better at Doomben. Will have derived a stack of benefit from that day at the races and looms as the main danger. SCOTTVILLE SCOOTER (12) resumes here but showed enough when last in work to warrant consideration in a race like this. Should give backers a sight. SUPIDO ROSE (7) best of the rest from the low draw.
RACE 4 - VANGUARD LEGEND (10) resumed in good order placing over this track and trip and will have come on with that run under the belt. Rates a serious player. MOET AT MIDNIGHT (4) will be rock-hard fit for this and looks one for the exotics players. UNEGA WAHY'A (9) placed over this course and distance at the latest effort and gets in well at the weights with the 3kg claim. May earn some minor money again. CAPTAIN GOOD VIBES (2) next in line.
RACE 5 - ROCKIN' ARTIE (6) saves his best form for this course and distance with a win and two placings from just three attempts and will be at peak fitness for this. Should be right there at the business end. GRINZINGER KNIGHT (1) has placed over this track and trip, draws low and gets 3kg off with the claim. Plenty to like about his prospects. EXPLICABLE (7) just missed the frame here at the latest effort and gets Maloney in the stirrups. Top-three candidate on best form. DIANA'S AFFAIR (3) wasn't too far away in tougher company last time and may trouble the judge with any luck in running.
RACE 6 - ROSE NOIR (3) has placed two from two around this circuit and looks the runner in this field with the most upside. Should find this easier than the recent effort in town and will be hitting the line with gusto. WEST CORK (4) has placed two from four here and is drawn to be prominent from the inside marble. Top-three contender. AERIAL BAY (5) was a touch plain last time but go on the solid second when having her first run for the new stable. Gets 3kg off with the claim and can bounce back to form here. DREAM LANTERN (11) best of the rest with Callow on board.
RACE 7 - PLUNDERING (1) is a very consistent conveyance who has remarkably hit the top-five in 17 of 18 career starts to date. Loves this distance range and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Rates the testing material. The well-related JOHNNY DASH (6) (half to G1 winner Spright) has two wins and a second from four attempts at the trip and can make his presence felt on his day. Best form puts him right in this. CHAYSE 'N' ARTIE (3) resumes here but has placed two from four when fresh and should appreciate the drop in grade. Among the better hopes. BOODUA ROMANCE (4) has won one from one around this circuit and may feature if he brings his A-game.
RACE 8 - DIRT CHEAP (5) hasn't done much wrong with three wins and two seconds from just five starts to date and should appreciate the step-up to the 1350m here. Winning hoop Orman stays in the saddle and should be in this for a long way. MAURIZMA (15) resumes here but showed enough before the spell to suggest she can be competitive in a race like this. Can run a race while fresh. PARUES (16) broke through for a well-deserved victory last time and will have derived a stack of confidence from that win. May go on with the job now. JUKEBOX IN SIBERIA (10) next in line in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 9 - Looks a wide open affair to close out the card. MIST OF DAWN (11) couldn't have been more impressive winning on debut and gets Thornton on from the inside alley. Can go back-to-back to start the career. MILTON ROAD (3) was heavily supported when resuming and didn't let backers down at Lismore. In the mix on that form. FIRST PERSON (12) doesn't win out of turn but is usually thereabouts and may trouble the judge from the favourable draw. RUSSIAN SUB (1) is a must for the multiples.
