Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky race to kick off the card with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. ZOULAR (8) just missed the placings when resuming and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Only needs some luck from the wide draw to be playing a role in the outcome. BUSKER (4) will have derived a stack of benefit from his first day at the races and should be kept safe. IL PATRIGNO (3) gets the Melbourne Cup winning combination of Symons/Laxon/Dolan and a watch on betting is advised on debut. MOANA GOLD (10) has been trialling well so expect a strong debut showing.
RACE 2 - GAGNANTE ENCHERE (5) has gotten better with each run this time in and looks to be nearing that elusive maiden victory. Byrne sticks in the saddle following that last-start runner-up finish here and should be going very close against this lot. BOROGORU (3) will be near his peak now third-up from the spell and gets 2kg weight relief with the claim. Top-three candidate. GREEN MEADOWS (6) just missed the placings at the latest effort and Huxtable sticks in the irons. Can feature from the favourable draw. MY MISCHKA (10) has placed at the past couple and is one for the multiples.
RACE 3 - The well-related WEST CORK (4) (half to G1 winner Qafila) loves this seven-furlong journey with two wins and five placings from ten attempts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Goes well for Dolan who has a win and a placing from just three steers and should be right there when the whips are cracking. BOHEMIAN LAD (1) has won two from three around this circuit and gets the deadly Vandyke/Orman combination. Rates a serious contender. The consistent TOUCH OF GRACIE (9) has hit the top-five in 12 of her past 13 outings since joining the new stable with the only failure coming last time out. Worth another chance. BONDED AFFAIR (2) didn't measure up in town at the latest effort but the form prior was full of merit. In the mix on best form. VALANTINO ROC (6) strips fitter third-up from the spell and may earn some minor money.
RACE 4 - MOONFLEET (5) broke the maiden status at Doomben before being tipped out for time to furnish. Tuned up for this with a recent trial placing and looks the runner in this field with the most upside. Rates the testing material. The well-related HOW RUDE (11) (half to G3 winner and G2 placed Rise Of The Masses) has been thereabouts in all four career outings to date and gets the reliable Gollan/Jones combination. Has to be included from the low draw. BURNETT (6) got the job done two back before not being disgraced in town last time out. Top-three aspirations. PINK CASHMERE (2) has placed four from five around this circuit and gets 2kg weight relief with the claim. Cannot be discounted. ARDERN (3) is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and looks one for the exotics players.
RACE 5 - LUVARCHIE (1) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was good enough to play a major role in this contest. Boasts a win over this track and trip and rarely puts in a poor one. Can run a race while fresh. MAKE IT SO (10) is another first-up but has placed two from two when fresh and gets in well at the weights with the 3kg claim. Expect her to be competitive. MISSILE ONE (8) is a consistent type who is yet to miss the top-five in nine career outings. Respect from the Bruce yard. IPHIMEDIA (4) is having her first run for the new stable but draws the inside marble and any market confidence must be noted. NEW HAMPSHIRE (2) hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner Levendi) and has placed over this course and distance before. May earn some minor money
RACE 6 - VICTORY FLAME (3) shed the maiden tag in impressive fashion last time out and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Winning hoop Guthmann-Chester sticks in the saddle and will prove very tough to hold out again. KHANT QUIT (2) finally broke through over this track and trip at the latest effort and can go right on with the job now. Top-three credentials. The well-related HEREDITARY (5) (full to G1 winner Ugo Foscolo) doesn't win out of turn but has placed six of nine here and is a must for the multiples. SACRED BULL (1) next in line.
RACE 7 - PENDING (9) resumes here but has revved up for this with two recent trials and is a two-time winner around this circuit. A strong showing while fresh would not surprise. UCELLE (16) has a win and a placing from two attempts at this seven-furlong journey and draws low from the astute barn. Keep very safe. CHANGE THE DEEL (7) just missed the placings last time out and Collis sticks in the irons. Top-three contender. TEESANDCEES APPLY (11) strips fitter second-up from the break and may earn a cheque.
