Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MERCHANT DELIGHT (7) has shown plenty of ability in both of his runs to date and was only beaten by a short-head here 5 weeks ago. He has the blinkers on for the first time and is set to go one better this time. BRUNO BRUNO (2) is an ex-NSW gelding who made an immediate impact from his new stable when scoring here fresh up nearly a fortnight ago over 1000m. He is perfectly placed again and only has to cope with a 3.5kg weight rise to win again. BOLLON (1) finished fourth in his first local start after making the move from Victoria in January. His trainer normally gets quick results with similar types, and this gelding will pick up his next win at short notice. KING WALDO (3) is heading the right way with his form and will be peaking third up from a spell. He has the pole position and should be right in the finish again. Each way. TUGELA FALLS (5) will be peaking third up and can bounce back into the top 3 placings.
RACE 2 - BRAZEN BON (1) has thrived since moving here from Victoria and made it 3 wins from 4 starts on the track when scoring easily by over a length here 3 weeks ago. He won't find this much harder, and with a kilo less to carry, he can complete the hat-trick. STRAYA PRIDE (4) was a handy gelding at country-class level in NSW and carried that form through when posting an easy win as expected fresh up here for top local trainer Gary Clarke 3 weeks ago over this trip. He should cope with the class rise, especially after dropping 4kg in weight. Stick with him. CANTON KID (2) made up some late ground fresh up for a new trainer here nearly a fortnight ago. He has a good record here over the trip and can figure in the top 3 this time. SOUL SPIRIT (5) was tried in front here 3 weeks ago and fought on fairly well when finishing fourth. She may be ridden with cover this time, but is in a good space and is well placed again with 2.5kg less to carry. Stick with her. BON'S YOUR BACK (3) each-way value.
RACE 3 - BEATIFICATION (2) will be peaking third up and will find this slightly easier than her last start when finishing runner-up by a short-head over 1100m here 3 weeks ago. A clever 3kg claim means he will carry less weight, and with the advantage of the pole position, he is the one to beat. TWO TIMES TWICE (1) caused an upset when winning here fresh up over the top pick and normally improves with racing. He cops a wide draw and carries more weight, but a repeat of that last start effort would see him in the finish again. VALAROC (5) did not run on as expected here nearly 2 weeks ago, but did have an excuse for that poor performance. His form prior was good, and he is worth another chance. STARSPANGLEDANCER (9) had a tough trip before peaking on his run when resuming from a spell here nearly a fortnight ago. She strips fitter and can finish closer this time. ROYAL SIGNAL (6) also needed her fresh-up run here 3 weeks ago and is capable of a top 3 finish with the right run.
RACE 4 - RISING SPHERE (1) will be resuming from a spell and is normally very competitive at this level. He comes to hand quickly, and in a 5-horse field, he is the one to beat. STAR MAGNUM (2) has run out of condition in his first couple of starts back from a spell and should be nearing his peak fitness third up. He has the blinkers on for the first time, and he is expected to be right in the finish this time. MR HAVE A CHAT (3) was back in winning form here nearly a fortnight ago when scoring by a nose. He has 3kg less to carry this time after a claim, and there is no reason why he can't repeat the dose. MR CASHMAN (5) is another very consistent gelding when fit, and he did not have the best of runs here 5 weeks ago. He is nicely placed after a 1.5kg claim and deserves plenty of respect. SIAKAM (4) has been freshened up since a couple of disappointing efforts earlier in the season. He might want more ground but can never be totally ruled out of a top 3 finish.
RACE 5 - HE'S ESSENTIAL (2) did not take long to find winning form after making the move from Queensland and led all the way to score by over 2 lengths here 5 weeks ago. He won't have any issue with a drop back to 1300m, and from a good draw, he can double the dose. AMERICAN JAZZ (5) had a torrid trip last start and understandably failed to run on that day. He is expected to bounce straight back into the money here. GLOBAL WONDER (6) has not won for some time but is building up his fitness with each of his 3 starts back from a spell. He drops 5kg for this and is from a good draw, he should be among the hardest to beat again. DEAR PRUDENCE (7) had no luck fresh up and needed the run as well. He has had a couple of gear changes and should finish a lot closer this time. Each-way value.
