Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky. IT'S JAGGER TIME (4) resumes and rates top of the raced division. He didn't have the best of it at his only outing last campaign but showed promise at his two starts prior. He's trialled well and should be naturally improved. CLUB CITY (2) led and folded late at Hobart beaten 3L. He will strip fitter and will use the inside barrier. Has a 2kg claim today and will give a sight. AZONTO (5) debuts and the two recent trials have been good. Fellow debutants I'M BEGGIN (8) and CELTIC ROSE (7) also profile well and the late betting will be key with all.
RACE 2 - MAGNAPRIME (12) won a trial here and was on speed at Launceston on debut beaten a whisker as a $3 favourite. He will be better for that and draws to advantage. He rates to go one better for the Trinder yard. LIGHTMEUPJAZZ (8) resumes and went close here before spelling. She's trialled well at the track and Pires is a positive jockey booking. SH'BOURNE GLORY (10) led and missed a whicker here two back and has been freshened. Has the outside gate but can't be ruled out. Much tougher sorting the rest and it's hard to see any making an impact.
RACE 3 - THE PRAYER (8) has switched from a Victorian yard and her figures are good enough. Pires is a key jockey booking and she maps to advantage. Found the frame on the Ballarat synthetic last time and has been kept on the fresh side. FOREIGN LEGION (2) drops back from the mile on a 24-day return. He's threatened all three runs this preparation and possesses the early speed to manage the awkward gate. Has a 2kg claim today and that brings him right into it. LOVE NEST (4) will have admirers building on the two narrow defeats at Hobart when heavily bet. She also gets in well with a 2kg claim but will need a touch of luck from the outside barrier. EARENDEL (1) debuts and also draws out. He has looked good in multiple trials and has a 2kg claim. Keep onside.
RACE 4 - The scratchings have changed the race complexion. RAFAEL'S RAID (3) led and deserved the Hobart win and then folded up there on a slow track. He's suited back in trip and can bounce back with Pires controlling the race. MISS VIVACE (5) was narrowly beaten here twice over a mile before a plainer effort on the turf. Needs a good ride but is worth another chance. RATHER TOUGH (6) won her Maiden at Launceston over a mile off solid efforts here. That stacks up and she keeps the handy 2kg claim. She will give away a start but will hit the line. NOBLE EXCEPTION (1) is hard to catch but is capable on his day and the inside gate and 2kg claim advantage. He should be around the mark.
RACE 5 - The speedy PHILOSOPHERS STONE (2) won a 72 here first-up and then was likely disadvantaged by a wet track in a 76 at Launceston and be forgiving. He carries more weight but is suited and fitter will be tough to peg back. GOLDEN MEADOW (6) peaks and is ready to win. Has Pires aboard and weight relief and maps for a soft run. A player as well. CORNELIAN BAY (4) resumes and would win this at best. Has won 4/7 this track/trip and 3/6 first-up. He gives away starts so the small field advantages. GEE GEE ENUF SPEED (1) missed 1L in stronger at Launceston from the back and it was a big effort. He will race forward today from an inside gate and fitter can't be ruled out.
RACE 6 - DURAZZO (1) is fast and was spelled off a big heavily bet Maiden win on the turf. He maps well and owns a trial win at this track. He's promising and with natural improvement can go on with the job. BLOOMTIME (3) brought strong form to resumption and delivered a tidy effort at Launceston. She'd come off a trial win here and fitter should go close. MANDATE (2) resumes and has trialled well. He was spelled off a peak run at this track/trip and can give a sight at a price racing forward. NEED TO THINK (4) was a big Maiden winner at Hobart and can build on that. Maps well and the 2kg claim remains handy.
RACE 7 - A good race. PASHEONA (5) resumed for the new yard and won the CL1 here as expected. She then improved again when beaten 1L this grade on the turf. The former Victorian maps for a soft run and fitter can bounce back. NAVAL ANTHEM (2) resumed in solid order and then ran his best race beaten a nose at Hobart. Keeps a handy 2kg claim and only has to enjoy the synthetic to go close. QUICKEN UP (3) always puts in and assess her chances on the nose defeat two back this track/trip. That stacks right up but the 2kg claimer has to manage the awkward gate. JEHBENTI (1) peaks and comes back in grade. Has his first start here and deserves consideration.
RACE 8 - EXALTED CROWN (1) switched yards and led and belted them here by 2.3L this grade/trip. He will skip over to the speed and has been freshened. He will be tough to beat holding the form. RODRICK'S SECRET (11) just missed at Launceston, quickly back on-track. Keeps the 2kg claim and the rails gate will probably advantage. Coming back to the synthetic shouldn't be an issue. MONTE FLEUR (5) resumed in the same contest beaten 1.3L. She settled last and flew late. May be looking for longer now but she has more up her sleeve and can feature with average luck. CAPTAIN CAM (6) deserved the CL1 win at Hobart on a heavy track. He races well here and despite the awkward barrier he will be around the mark
RACE 9 - Stakes-placed ASHY BOY (2) resumed with a solid effort at Hobart over a mile. He goes well second up and has plenty in the tank. The longer journey suits and he brings the best figures. KALIUWAA FALLS (3) went well in the same race and peaks today. Always puts in and he's a hope stepping up to 1880m. SIR SIMON (1) is a leader who won back-to-back in that contest up to the mile. He has to run out an extra 200m today with more weight. Maps to advantage and will give a sight. The Blacker-trained pair BLONDE SUSPECT (4) and ZULU ANGEL (5) also deserve plenty of consideration.
RACE 10 - JOHNNIE PINCH (5) has raced a short-priced all three runs this preparation and delivered the CL1 here the latest over this distance. Keeps Pires and maps for the run of the race. Has weight relief and can go on with it. COUP DE SPRY (7) brings a 60 win from Hobart at 1600m improving again. He's only won 1/6 at this track but rates well and may position closer in the run. VINTAGE DIESEL (6) has needed the two runs back and will be much sharper over this trip. Has a 2kg claim and has trialled well over 1350m since last seen. Deserves each way consideration. COPPLESON (8) brings two narrow defeats at the circuit and has been kept up to the mark with a trial win. He gives away starts and needs things to go right from the inside barrier.
