Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - THE GOLDEN FIST (5) hit the line nicely when resuming off a long break (350 days) last start at HQ. Is drawn to go back again but will appreciate the longer journey. Toeroek sticking is another positive. Expecting him to prove very hard to stave off. FINE FUTURE (1) showed some positive signs in his debut prep without causing too much of a scare. Looks to have progressed nicely during the break as he makes his stable debut for Stephen Theodore. Well placed to make a bold return. GUMERACHA CRACKER (9) strips fitter third-up and is worth keeping onside with Holder sticking from the inside pillar.

RACE 2 - Couple of key scratchings but still a good little contest with a couple of promising ones engaged. ZESTIMAN (1) hit the line nicely when resuming at Flemington in July and then was an eye-catcher last start at Moonee Valley. Positive push with the stable electing for senior hoop under the big weight. Hard to hold out if turning close enough. I LOVERAIN (4) is coming off a dominant Gawler maiden win. Gets 2.5kgs off his back for this tougher task but does have Toeroek sticking. Don't take lightly. Stablemate MONDELLO (7) can be an improver third up. Hasn't been the sharpest away and looks a work in progress but onto a better surface with another run under the belt can bring about improvement.

RACE 3 - STRATUM PRIDE (8) doesn't win out of turn but has built nicely into this campaign. Flashed home to finish 1.5L behind Reservoir Dog last start, who she now meets 1.5kgs better. Expecting her to have the better of him this time. RESERVOIR DOG (6) Jacob Opperman scored on him last time and retains the mount. Slightly tougher this time but warrants obvious consideration. AIGUILETTE (2) wasn't able to bring up the hat-trick last start when left plugging away at the back of the field. The re-engagement of Dom Tourneur is noteworthy. Can bounce back sharply. FRANCE'S BOY (4) was a determined winner two back at HQ but was clearly below his best last start when struggling to go on in the straight. He's better than that. PEACEMAKER (3) relishes this track and trip and needs to be included in the numbers.

RACE 4 - THE DEVIL IN HER (7) closed off strongly to just miss the winner last start at Caulfield. Drops back in trip four weeks between runs and gets in in low at the weights again. Will take some stopping. KHOR (5) bounced straight back to form when getting back on the turf last start. Clearly shoulders his share of ability and gets the key booking of Toeroek. Big threat. EXALTED FIRE (1) fought on gamely to go down narrowly after giving backers a bold sight. Expecting a similar run. GOTTABESAVVY (2) has struggled to threaten the winner in his last two but will find this easier. The form around him is strong. Warrants serious consideration in this line-up. MONTEPULCIANO (4) is the one to watch for swooping late in the piece.

RACE 5 - PRIVILEGED SON (3) was a fast-finishing sixth at Sandown-Lakeside last start where the leaders had it all their own way. There's already been an impressive subsequent winner from that race. Expecting him to be taking the strongest strides late. MUSGRAVE (5) has been warming to his task nicely over the concluding stages. Will appreciate the rise in trip but will have to make sure he's not too far off them when turning. SET TO PROPHET (7) is knocking on the door, beaten less than a length in his last two. Yet to be tested over this journey but is expected to handle it. Can feature again. CHOSEN MISS (4) hasn't threatened in her last two but was an eye-catching winner three back. Holds appeal on the quick back-up. LOTTAROC (1) next best.

RACE 6 - WATCHME WIN (9) followed up his smart maiden win with a solid chasing effort at HQ. Expect him to relish the extra 200m third-up. Just needs a smart steer from the ugly draw. RICHE D'AMOUR (7) has struggled to threaten of late but has found a few smart ones. Strikes a more suitable race this time and can improve sharply. LADY SIMONE (12) continues to leave it late before getting involved. Steps out to a winning trip now but is drawn ugly. Toeroek will need to be special. PRICILLA'S CHOICE (13) has been in the market at her last couple of starts but hasn't made an impression. Is another that is drawn awful but has to be included on best form. Last-start winner HATEECH (11) kept finding in the lane when leading pillar-to-post. Draws to advantage and could take some reeling in.

RACE 7 - THE GUAVA (10) was a handy winner fresh and then went close to making it two on the bounce at the latest. Fitter again and doesn't lose much in the saddle with Holder taking over from Toeroek. Leading player. SIXTEEN REASONS (11) is clearly a talented type but continues to be her own worse enemy settling too far back. Doesn't look like she'll be settling closer from the draw but she does have the extra 200m reel them in. Watch for her climbing over their backs late. TIPPA (7) closed last prep in terrific form and is in the mix if he can pick up where he left off.

RACE 8 - Another good edition of the Leon Macdonald Stakes. Hometown hero SEE YOU IN HEAVEN (9) returned in terrific order to take out the G3 Behemoth Stakes a fortnight ago. Came in off the same set-up last prep when missing by a long neck. Draws to get the gun run with Toeroek piloting again. Doesn't have to improve much off her first-up win to take this out. ATTRITION (1) shocked punters when nosing out Antino in the G1 Toorak Handicap back in October. SYIH went around the same price as Attrition but was just under 6L away. Didn't come up last prep but his trial in suggests he can take a strong account of himself. Obvious danger. NICOLINI VITO (2) didn't threaten last start down the straight in the G3 Aurie's Star but had been turning in some strong runs prior. Expect him to drift back from the gate and be saved for the final shot at them. Smaller cases can also be made for impressive fresh winner SECOND TO NUN (11) and the promising AIR ASSAULT (8).

RACE 9 - ZANTHRON (12) has returned in terrific form this campaign. Everywhere you look there's been subsequent winners from his races. He only needs to hold his form to be featuring significantly again. BRISTLER (5) attracted plenty of market support before being scratched race day last week. Similar to Zanthron, the form around him last campaign reads very strongly. Relishes this distance and strips fitter for two lead-up trials. Big danger. PLUS FOURS (3) returns and usually runs well fresh, especially over this journey. Has a decision to make from the tricky draw but is capable of giving this a big shake.