Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WADAANA (7) has improved with each run under her belt this campaign and should be ready to fire fourth-up. Has placed at both attempts at this course and is drawn to get all the favours. Won't get much better of a chance to break through. NIKOLSKY (6) returns for the smart Clarken & O'Shea partnership and looks to have progressed nicely during the break on the back of Strathalbyn trial win. Carries a feather on her back with the 4kg claimer sticking from a trial win. Big chance. COPPER BULLET (1) is a Shooting To Win gelding on debut for the David Jolly stable. Was thereabouts in a recent trial behind some above-average types. Expected to make his presence felt on debut. HYDROSPHERE (5) was much better here second-up when sticking on gamely into the placings. Open to further improvement third-up and is worth keeping safe. STARS ARE ALIGNING (9) is another debutant who has shown positive signs at the trials. Will pay to see what the market does with her.
RACE 2 - COLLATED (1) only warmed to his task late fresh when closing off nicely into sixth here. Is expected to get a long way back again from the car park draw but can cause a scare late. LITTLE ROCKET (9) finds it tough to break through but it certainly hasn't been without trying. Carries a fitness edge and is drawn favourably. Right in this. THE BACK PAGE (4) showed good improvement third-up here when closing off nicely from the rear to earn a minor cheque. Has more to offer and is one to watch for late in the piece. ALL TOO TRUE (5) strikes an easier assignment third-up and should be nearing his peak now. Have to include.
RACE 3 - MINTULEE (2) has been below her best so far this prep but now gets a nice drop in grade. Is aided under the big weight with the 4kg claimer engaged over a winning track and trip. Bold showing anticipated. ASTROMANCER (6) chased gamely into the placings when resuming here 12 days ago. Is sure to have taken benefit from the hit out and Toeroek sticking is a good push. Main danger. TALKIN' ITALIAN (1) returns for David Jolly. Has run well fresh without winning and strips fitter for a Strathalbyn trial in readiness. 3kg claimer reunites to aid the big weight and is 2/2 when partnering. Expected to give this a shake. ARTISSI (5) shed her maiden tag here last start over the same journey. Tougher this time but deserves to be kept safe.
RACE 4 - TRANTORO (10) narrowly missed fresh behind Pure Bliss who has since put two more wins on the board. Was just as good second-up when launching from the rear to just miss the frame in a blanket finish. Gets in low at the weights and will be hitting her straps third-up. DON'TDOUBTLAYLA (1) returned with a bang at Oakbank when knuckling down late to get the verdict. Strips fitter and has Holder replacing the apprentice. Obvious danger. PRESS EXPRESS (3) finally got off the mark here two back. Not as effective last start but was far from disgraced. Drawn sticky but has enough early dash to offset. Don't underestimate. WINE BARRON (2) has been freshened after a flat first-up outing. Gone back to the trials and has Pannell sticking. Capable of sharp improvement. KINDRA PARK (5) is going better than his form suggests and is capable of threatening.
RACE 5 - PUNCHIN (1) fought gamely to get the verdict in a similar grade two back. Not as effective in town last start when leading them up and fading late. Better placed back at this level and is drawn much kinder. Big chance. MORTGAGE MAN (3) climbed over their backs late to return a winner at Oakbank. Tried to replicate that effort last time but left himself with too much to do. Draws to go back again but should be hitting his straps now. Watch for him to be launching late. STARTER (10) doesn't win out of turn but is knocking on the door. Keeping safe from a favourable draw. FIAMETTE (11) has made good inroads in her three runs back, putting the writing on the wall last start when missing by a head. Draws to get right back over the shorter journey and will be hoping they overdo it early. Look out for her if they do.
RACE 6 - GREENIDGE (4) was no match for an impressive CL2 winner last start at headquarters but is ticking along nicely. Will be having to cross from the wide alley but is sure to give backers a bold sight. HEADPHONES (1) drops sharply in grade and gets the 3kg claimer reuniting to aid the big weight. More than capable type on her day and doesn't have to do anything special to be right there at the business end. PROBATE (7) is knocking on the door with the form around him stacking right up. Don't overlook in this suitable contest. JENNI ESPRIT (2) made light work of her rivals last start at Port Lincoln. This is obviously tougher but she deserves respect.
RACE 7 - THE GOLDEN FIST (5) picked up sharply in the lane late when resuming at Strathalbyn, rattling home to just miss the winner in a close three-way go. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt and will appreciate the added trip. Expected to take plenty of holding out. GOOD BLOKE (8) got off the mark in fine style two back and then gave supporters a bold sight here last start when sent forward. Cherry-ripe now and draws well again for gun hoop in Opperman. Big danger. BIG MAV (6) went on with the job nicely last start to score at odds. The form from the race has stuck up superbly in 21 days with already 3 subsequent winners. Have to take seriously. KUSHAN KHANIVALE (3) just missed first-up at big odds. Strips fitter second-up and deserves a lot more respect this time.
