Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - LA ROUX (3) impressed on debut when leading pillar-to-post last month. Is sure to have come on with race experience and doesn't lose much if anything in the saddle with Neindorf taking over. The one to beat. EAGERLY AWAITS (4) chased in vain behind La Roux on debut. Is sure to have taken improvement but will need to find a fair bit to turn the tables. MACCLESFIELD (6) finished further back in the same race. Draws to get the gun run and could sneak into the frame this time. OLDPOP (2) next.

RACE 2 - PRAIRIE FLOWER (5) has been left a clear top pick off the back of a key scratching. Has once again produced eye-catching efforts to kick-off the preparation. Meets a few of her main dangers better at the weights despite beating them home last time out and should be primed to go on with it now in a small field. CELSIUS STAR (1) and JACKS ON ICE (2) finished just behind Prairie Flower last start in the LR Christmas Handicap. Both are talented enough on the day but need the fav to have an off day. DIVINE GLORY (6) made it a winning stable debut for the Clarken & O'Shea team when arriving just in time at Morphettville two weeks ago. Was resuming off a 201-day break so is susceptible to a flat performance. Strikes a tougher assignment but is worth keeping safe in the minors.

RACE 3 - THE STREAKER (7) rates best of the raced bunch off the back of two solid efforts at Mornington. Should be hitting his straps now and gets a key booking in Toeroek. Win won't shock. NOETZIE (4) didn't have an ideal run in transit on debut at headquarters two weeks ago but showed heart to keep chasing into fourth. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt but will need a smart steer from the car park draw. HOT WINGS (9) returns and makes her stable debut for the Hickmott team. Showed promising signs back in Vic under the Hayes boys. Has to be taken seriously if she's returned the same horse. STEEL TSUNAMI (6) resumes and strips fitter for a solid Oakbank trial win. Draws to get the gun run and is expected to make his presence felt.

RACE 4 - MADAME ODETTE (3) produced strong late splits last start over the mile at the Valley. That run stacks up strongly for this and she should relish stepping out the extra 200m. Toeroek steers from the gun draw. A lot to like fourth-up. RUSSIAN DANCER (4) stuck on gamely into the frame here last start. Steps out to a winning trip on short turnaround and should be nearing his peak. Obvious threat. It was a terrific training performance by Peter Hardacre to have SEBONNA (1) charge home into a narrow second here last week when resuming off a 455-day break. Always vulnerable to a flat performance second-up off long spell, so worth treading carefully but he deserves respecting the grand nine-year-old. THRILL KILL (2) has built nicely into this campaign and holds plenty of intrigue dropping back to the mile. Don't dismiss.

RACE 5 - STARTS NOW (6) was poised to strike last start at headquarters and fought hard in the lane but couldn't get to the leader. Strips rock-hard fit and loses little in the saddle with Nunes taking back over. Gets significant weight off with the rise in grade and has found his race. PEARL ADIOS (2) was a determined winner fresh in a similar grade at Morphettville and has since produced two strong efforts that sandwich an off run two back. Cherry-ripe now and is drawn softly for Holder who replaces the apprentice. Main danger. ANGELIC APPEAL (4) had the better of Pearl Adios here three weeks ago. Only needs to hold her form to go close again. RABTAT (3) will be doing his best work late and is worth keeping safe.

RACE 6 - WAKANJEJA (6) has been campaigned in Victoria to kick off the campaign and hasn't been at her best but can improve sharply fourth-up back in SA. Carries strong peaks and will appreciate reuniting with Crowther, who has piloted the mare to all four wins. Could go either way from the low draw but she will prove hard to stop if she brings her A-game. KALASEC (7) returns for the sharp R & C Jolly camp. Ran into some hot races last time in with subsequent winners aplenty. Should get the right run for Toeroek from the draw and is an obvious danger. COOL MAGNUM (1) has been a model of consistency for the Hickmott & Riggs partnership this time in. Drops back to a trip he relishes but gets a new jockey in Tourneur. Expect him to put his best foot forward again. YASUKE (4) makes his stable debut for the Clarken & O'Shea team and is right in the mix on best form but might find this a bit sharp first-up. STARTIDE (8) is the one to watch for charging late in the piece.

RACE 7 - HANGYOURHAT (7) worked into the race nicely here last start and looked like he was going to go on with it, only for two to finish better on his outside. Is going much better than his form reads and the booking of Toeorek adds further confidence. Can break a long run of outs. IMPOSING SUSPECT (1) is yet to break through this campaign but has built nicely into this. Put the writing on the wall last start at Bordertown when a narrowly beaten fav. Peaking now and is among the key chances. DEVIL'S DEXTER (12) made it two on the bounce last start in impressive fashion here. Yet to be tested over this journey but is expected to give a bold sight on speed. COMMISSIONS (3) is another who will look to go forward, leading pillar-to-post last start at Gawler. Up in the weights but deserves respect. FOX GEM (6) progressed nicely second-up when closing off solidly into fourth. Added trip suits, which he will need from the car park draw.

RACE 8 - GIVE SOME LIP (3) was at her best here three weeks ago when arriving late to get the verdict. Full of confidence now and there's no reason he can't repeat the dose. RUNAWAY STATEMENT (7) was a barnstorming winner here on the same day in the last. Interesting to see her drop back to a sprinting trip. Watch for her climbing over their backs late. OAK PARK REBEL (5) chased gamely to just miss first-up, beaten a neck by Give Some Lip who he now meets better at the weights. Will need a good steer from the draw but has a smart hoop in Holder. In the mix. EROICA (13) needed the hit-out fresh and should be a big improver. Don't take lightly.

RACE 9 - TIPSY VIXEN (13) was an eye-catcher fresh at headquarters when rattling home to get within a length of an in-form winner. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt and is a track and trip winner. 3kg claimer staying on gets her in well at the weights again. A lot to like. THE MANSMAN (11) has proven to be quite the thinker. His peaks are good enough and he's drawn favourably. Should take a strong account of himself. OUTTA COMPTON (1) progressed nicely here last start when charging home into second. Should be nearing his peak now but is likely to get a long way back from the draw. Watch for him climbing over their backs late. TEXAN WINDSTORM (4) is a handy enough type on his day but rarely gets the market respect he deserves. Nunes sticking is a positive. Don't overlook.