Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky. SCARLETTI (3) was cruelled by a wide gate here and then bounced back placing at Hobart over this distance when he led. He has an outside gate to manage but may push forward this time and keeps the handy 3kg claim. Rates well. KISSED BY MIST (13) brings two tidy efforts from the synthetic to peak. Just has to bring that form to the turf to be a chance. TALK LIKE THAT (11) improved beaten 2L here over 1200m. She has scope for further improvement. ARCADE BOY (1) will be better back to the sprint and finally has a low barrier. Has Bingley's 3kg claim and has to be kept safe.
RACE 2 - MATERIAL MADAM (4) was a comfortable Hobart maiden winner and then found a place here this grade as a $3.50 favourite. Fitter again and the on-pacer will give herself every chance over the longer sprint. KAKIA (1) got too far back last time but his form prior reads well. Draws low today and the 4kg claim brings him right into it. I'M CHEV (3) was back to form comfortably winning a Devonport Maiden as expected. He can build on that and the in-form Sanderson goes on. SIR JAG (9) has had a few chances but rates well off the close-up placing here last time. He's worth another chance.
RACE 3 - FIGHTING FOR GOLD (5) was on speed and went back-to-back winning as favourite at Hobart. She keeps getting better and should see out the 1600m. LILY LUELLA (6) is a leader and she was too good for the 60 graders last time over this trip. She should make short work of the awkward gate and will take catching. SH'BOURNE MIDNIGHT (2) ran his best race winning a CL1 here as expected. Maps for a soft run and the mile should hold no fears. ES AND ES (4) would be a hope forgiving the plain run here two weeks ago. Draws out but will be fitter again.
RACE 4 - Tough. MILES 'N' MILES (10) won a Maiden over a mile and then spiked his figures belting a CL1 field by 4.7L over this trip bet into $2.50. Has a wide gate to manage but he can keep the ball rolling with average luck. CONUMDRUM (1) had excuses in the Brighton Cup at Hobart stepping up to this trip. Was going well prior and a 4kg claimer goes aboard today. He's won this trip and gets another chance. JOHNNIE PINCH (6) comes out of the same race at Hobart and it was a good effort. Maps well and also has a 4kg claim. A chance as well. KINGS ON QUEENS (8) steps up from a mile and is going well. Gives every indication the middle distance will suit.
RACE 5 - AZONTO (5) was only beaten 2L in the Tasmanian Guineas and held the form in an Open 3 following. Steps up to a middle distance for the first time and expect it to suit. Maps for a soft run and gets the nod. GARCON D'ESPOIR (1) finished with the above in the Guineas first-up. It was a good effort and fitter he also has claims over the longer journey. LIKEAKALIX (2) brings strong form from the synthetic and was an easy winner over 1800m last time. This is harder but he keeps improving and Pires sticks and will give him every chance. DON'T GIVE UP (4) is a lightly raced improver who races forward. Has started favourite his last two and should be in it for a long way.
RACE 6 - The progressive UNIQUE EAGLE (6) has won 3/3 and keeps improving. It was comfortable last time heavily bet and she rates to go on with the job. MUSCLE UP (2) resumed in solid order in stronger and he flies second-up. He races forward and the longer sprint suits. Gets in well with the 2kg claim and is good enough at best. GLORY MISSION (3) led and won an Open 4 here as expected. Has the rail and is promising. The hat-trick isn't out of the question.
RACE 7 - GEEGEES GEMSTONE (5) won the Newmarket by 0.5L over The Inevitable (1200m) and that galloper reversed the order narrowly winning the Conquering Stakes (1400m) following. He's been freshened and flies this course/distance. Will take beating. BELLO BEAU (2) has been freshened following a 0.8L defeat in the Conquering. He has won a trial easily since and maps well. TURK WARRIOR (1) is third-up and has more to offer. Raced well at this level early last year and stepping up to 1200m suits. AND BEYOND (6) just missed two back in the Conquering and that's the best measure of his ability. Consider as well.
RACE 8 - DADANDHISGIRLS (1) peaks and brings strong synthetic form. Keeps the handy 3kg claim. Has the first-time blinkers applied and tipping he'll go just as well on the turf. GEEGEESCHASER (4) is hard fit and has been racing well. Maps for a soft run and can make the finish. ZUNI (6) spiked her figures beaten 2L this grade/trip. She has a 3kg claim and will give a sight racing forward. LOYALTY BLUES (2) needed the first-up outing and has been freshened. Maps for the run of the race and quick improvement is anticipated.
RACE 9 - ELEGANTLY WRITTEN (4) was safely held in stronger on the synthetic but her turf form prior stacks right up. Has a handy 2kg claim and will use the inside barrier. She's the one they have to beat. MISS PEBBLES (6) missed a nose at Longford and before delivering here this grade over a mile. Ran a competitive number and maps well. Come back 200m and will hit the line hard. Stablemate ROMANESCO FRESCO (9) is third up and poised to strike. She gets in light again with the 3kg claim and is sure to give a sight. CORNELIAN BAY (3) was back on track narrowly beaten on the synthetic. He can use the low gate and is in the mix.
