Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The maidens kick us off. GOLD FEVER (1) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was more than good enough to feature in a race like this. Has placed around this circuit and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. SWEET MADELINE (11) is a Star Witness filly on debut for the Kendrick yard. Has shown positive signs at the trials and is drawn to advantage for KWT. Expected to make a bright start. BOLD AS BRASS (4) makes his return for Paul Jenkins off a 273-day break. Struggled to make an impression in his debut prep but looks to have taken the right steps forward on the back of a solid trial in readiness. Respect any market push. MOHITE (6) is a likely improver at his second start and gets in low at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged. Keeping safe.
RACE 2 - BLUE MOVES (9) is unlucky to still be a maiden placing at her past three starts here and is knocking on the door. Top-three commodity again. KENNY THE BAKER (14) was heavily supported here on debut and wasn't too far off them. Will take benefit from that race day experience and can play a role in the outcome. BRUTAL ADVANCE (1) best of the rest in a race with plenty of hopes. SAN JOSE BOY (5) returns for the Jack Bruce stable and looks to have take the right steps during his break. Respect any market moves.
RACE 3 - FRENCH EMPIRE (3) has hit the frame in all three outings to date including two placings around this circuit and strikes a winnable contest here. Looks ready for the mile journey now and rates the testing material against this lot. WIMOWEH (13) has been thereabouts in her debut prep and should be hitting her straps now in her fifth start. Is drawn softly for Cahill and is the main danger. Stablemate HUMID (12) is a likely improver second-up after only warming to her task very late in the piece when resuming at the Gold Coast. Has been freshened with a 36-day break and the rise to the mile should suit. Can give this a shake. DEEP DRIVE (11) next best.
RACE 4 - Another race that has been decimated by scratchings. OUTBURST (11) has won over this course and distance and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. In the mix. ICHIBAN (14) has been well below his best in his last two outings but can bounce back strongly in this line-up. From the dominant Waller stable and reunites with winning hoop in Orman. Bold showing anticipated. TAPPY'S LAD (3) comes right into calculations after some key scratchings. So too does SEERESS (16) who should be hitting her straps fourth-up.
RACE 5 - Looks a wide open affair. BLACK OPIUM (11) has placed two from two around this circuit and will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the spell. Rodd sticks in the saddle following that last-start placing and should prove very hard to toss. WHO ORDERED DAFISH (6) has been plying his trade in town of late and is sure to find this task a touch easier. Will be rock-hard fit for this and rates a serious contender. PIREONTI (5) has won two of her past three and it's hard to knock mares in form. Top-three candidate. ABLE SEAMAN (9) gets the deadly Gollan/Orman combination and can improve enough to feature in the finish. The well-related HALF LISTENING (3) (half to G2 winner Not An option) looked handy winning on debut and shouldn't be discounted.
RACE 6 - KINGSTON'S HERE (6) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was good enough to be competitive in a race like this. Has a handy record over this track and trip with a win and four placings from eight attempts and is a three-time winner when fresh. Strong chance to kick off this campaign in fine fashion. KOTE (8) is having his first run for the new stable but will find this easier than what he faced in NSW and is drawn to get a soft run from gate two. A return to the winners' stall would not surprise. HEARTONI (11) is a three-time winner over this course and distance and doesn't know how to put in a poor one. A must for the multiples. BRING ME KASH (5) strips fitter third-up from the spell and should be ready to peak now. In the mix on best form.
RACE 7 - Looks a race with plenty of chances. CAXTON LASS (4) broke the maiden status here when resuming and is sure to have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Winning hoop Wheeler sticks in the saddle and can go right on with the job now. ARAMINTA (3) is a consistent conveyance hitting the top-four at her past six outings and has placed three from three over this track and trip. Will prove tough to hold out. FIREBOLT (7) is first-up here but has won when fresh before and must be respected from the Freedman camp. Top-three contender. TEESANDCEES APPLY (12) has a win and a second from two trips around this circuit and looks the runner in this field with the most upside. Forward enough after a solid recent trial and can make her presence felt.
RACE 8 - CRESSBROOK (6) has hit a rich vein of form stringing two wins together on the bounce and winning rider McMurray stays on board. Again gets the benefit of his 2kg claim and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Ticks plenty of boxes. Former Victorian RIVER RIBBLE (3) is having his first run for the new stable but showed plenty of ability down south and tuned up for this with two recent trials. Shouldn't be underestimated. MERCIAN (12) hasn't done much wrong with a win and two seconds from four career outings to date. Has to be included in calculations. HAMILTON BROWN (13) has only missed a drum once in six starts and should be right there at the business end again. EXTREME SPIRIT (10) strips fitter second-up from the break and may earn some minor money.
