Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - GUMERACHA CRACKER (10) beat a few of her main rivals home here last start when falling just shy of the winner. Not drawn as kindly this time but strips fitter and has Holder sticking. Leading player. VENDEMMIA (8) is finding it tough to break the ice but comes through some strong Vic maidens. Is from a smart stable and gets a key booking in Crowther. Well-placed to get off the mark. SWITCH HIT (5) comes through the same race as Gumeracha Cracker, where he was warming nicely to the task late. Peaking now and draws a bit better. Expect him to feature prominently. SWYCHO (12) is a Kiwi import making her stable debut for Michael Hickmott. Showed some positive signs in NZ and is worth respecting. SPLASH LANDING (11) gets the blinkers on first time third-up. Keeping safe.

RACE 2 - WATCHME WIN (5) made the perfect start to her career and has followed it up with two strong efforts. Drops back to a winning trip with senior hoop in Holder taking over. Bold showing anticipated. I MISS MARGIE (3) was far from her best when returning at Caulfield. Is another that will appreciate dropping back to the 1000m, where all three of her wins have come. Draws to get all the favours from the inside pillar. Bold showing anticipated. MANSIERE (1) returned with a bang at Sale. Not as effective in his next two but has been tackling tougher opposition. Easier now and he's among the main hopes. GOPHER FRANK (4) didn't give his rivals a sniff last time at Mt Gambier when leading pillar-to-post. Tougher here but can give a good sight at each-way odds. BABAYKA (8) and IN LOVE (6) also hold some appeal for exotic players.

RACE 3 - FLAMIN' ROMANS (1) followed up his handy win at Geelong with a nice chase into the placings at Moonee Valley. Not as tough this time and is drawn much kinder four weeks between runs. Expected to take some stitching. SEA OF LIGHTS (2) carried his solid syntho form onto the turf last start when placing at Sandown-Lakeside as favourite. Steps back slightly in trip and gets a key booking in Toeroek. Main danger. EIGHT ON THE DOT (3) arrived just in time to score at the Strathalbyn mid-weeks. Tougher this time but strips fitter and warrants some thought. ALPINE BEAU (6) kicked off the campaign in good order but is yet to go on with it, as she continues to leave herself with too much to do. Gets in low at the weights and is the one to watch for charging late. BACK ME UP BENNY (7) went better than the form reads first-up. On the quick turnaround and is one for exotic players at big odds.

RACE 4 - COMMANDER HARRY (2) is yet to strike through this campaign but is knocking on the door. Is aided under the big weight with the 2kg claimer engaged and the rise in distance shouldn't bother. Bold showing anticipated. CALL ME VEXATIOUS (7) is on the quick turnaround after just missing here last week. Right in this. SMILING ASSASSIN (1) is as honest as the day is long. Is a three-time winner over this track and trip and is among the main hopes. PACHINO (3) has offered a yelp in his two runs back but strikes an easier assignment this time and strips fitter third-up. Senior rider in Spain taking over is another bonus. Watch for sharp improvement.

RACE 5 - QUANAH (3) has impressed in his first two starts, as he now shoots for the hat-trick. Possesses good early dash and the form around him is sticking up superbly. No reason he can't repeat the dose and remain unbeaten. THUNDER AWARD (5) continues to knock on the door. Drops back to a winning trip and is drawn tog et all the favours. Main danger. COUNT OF TOULOUSE (2) has hit the line hard in his two runs back on the syntho. Expect him to drift back again from the draw and be charging hardest late. RICHE D'AMOUR (7) is going better than his form suggests. Capable type on his day, will just need some luck from the sticky draw. SIX STARS (8) is rock-hard fit and has gun hoop in Toeroek sticking. Keeping safe.

RACE 6 - SIXTEEN REASONS (7) raced wide and without cover throughout here last start when finishing midfield. Meets the winner (The Guava) with a considerable weight swing this time with the 2kg claimer engaged and is drawn much kinder. Has her share of ability and is perfectly placed to make a return to the winner's circle. THE GUAVA (3) had it all go right for him here last start and was good enough to capitalise. Has another nice set-up and is sure to be in this for a very long way. JACKS ON ICE (1) found the 1000m to sharp for him when returning behind the in-form Lingani here three weeks ago. Much better placed over this distance, where he's a seven-time winner. 3kg claimer stays on to aid the big weight. Winning hope. Smaller cases can also be made for EXALTED DAME (5) and CULLEN SKINK (8) on best form.

RACE 7 - HE'S BESET (2) bounced back sharply to form last start when making a mess of rivals at Echuca. No tougher this time after some key scratchings and stays at a winning trip off a quick freshen. The one to beat. FREAK OF NATURE (6) also enjoyed a returned to the winner's circle at the latest when leading pillar-to-post at Sandown-Hillside. Gets weight off and will look to charge forward again. TAPINFORPAR (5) only warmed to his task late when finishing midfield at the latest. Strips fitter on the quick back up as he steps out to a preferred trip. Toeroek engaged another push. STRATUM PRIDE (11) only saw daylight late when missing by a neck here two weeks ago. In the mix with even luck.

RACE 8 - DEEPFLOAT DIVA (5) was too bad to be true when returning off a long break (280 days). Trials prior to his first-up run were good. Drawn sticky but sharp improvement is anticipate. KAIDO (3) fell just shy of making it back-to-back wins to kick-off the campaign. Drawn much kinder this time and should be nearing his peak third-up. Big chance. LEFT TURN CLYDE (8) missed by a lip fresh but failed to follow it up last time when going amiss. Willing to forgive third-up. MINTULEE (10) gave backers a bold sight here three weeks ago, only to be run down late. Rock-hard fit now and will prove tough to reel in with similar tactics applied. DESERT DANCING (16) is going better than his form reads, as he come through three really strong form races. Gets in low at the weights again and warrants safe keeping.

RACE 9 - HEADPHONES (3) is yet to strike through this campaign but has been knocking on the door. Drops back in grade and has Payne sticking. Ready now. ROKABYE WARRIOR (12) is ticking along nicely. Drops back to a winning trip on the short turnaround and is among the main hopes. HIGH FIVE (5) returns and it's worth nothing he was a handy maiden winner to kick things off last time in. Strips fitter for a Morphettville trial but is drawn tricky. Keeping safe. Last-start winner CHAMBERS BAY (1) also warrants respect after getting the job done here. 3kg claimer stays on to aid the big weight.