Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SMASHING ACTION (12) returns. Showed positive signs in her debut prep without breaking through but did go close in her last two runs of the campaign when showing good tactical speed. Readied with a quiet trial. Expect her to burn across from the wide alley and prove hard to reel in. AHVEJAY (1) only warmed to his task late on debut at Mt Gambier. Is sure to have come on with that run under his belt and now gets a chance to take closer order from the much kinder draw. Sharp improvement is anticipated. IDRACOWRA (8) finds the maiden win elusive but it certainly hasn't been without trying. Rates highly on best figures but just lacks consistency. Opperman piloting signals intent, could be her day. FRENCH LOVE (5) has been mixing her for but her better runs have come when prominent. Deserves more market support this time. ARLO'S DREAM (3) rounds out the contenders.
RACE 2 - FANCY SHOULDER (10) finds it tough to break the ice but has produced some solid efforts that stack right up. Carries a fitness edge and is drawn favourably. Bold showing anticipated. I AM A FINE LINE (12) missed by a whisker two back at Strathalbyn. Not as effective last start but still stuck on soundly into fourth. Will need some luck from the wide alley but strips rock-hard fit and is up to the task. MIMETIC DESIRE (11) stuck on gamely into the frame when resuming at Penola. Couldn't go on with the job last start after leading but should be peaking now. MALAWI MAN (8) was better last start when closing off solidly from the back. The inside draw is a wildcard, if he gets the breaks he�s dangerous. YANKEE STREET RAIN (4) has gotten better the more he's raced. Fitness is no concern. Keeping safe.
RACE 3 - BIG OPTION (7) dug deep to return a winner here in February. Was kept fresh for his run in town where he took a strong account of himself. Peaking now ad is aided at the weights with the 2kg claimer engaged. Leading hope. GUSTY WAY (8) was thereabouts first-up but come along nicely at the latest when beaten less than a length. Hitting his straps now and is drawn to advantage. Main danger. THE MAGISTRATE (2) was a determined winner earlier in the campaign but has since struggled to threaten when tackling tougher opposition. Hasn't been tested at this but does boast good peaks. CAPTAIN JOOLIAN (3) is another that will appreciate the drop in grade and is a winner at this venue. Right up to this on best efforts. LASTAR (9) was far from his best last start but his form prior measures up. Gets his chance to break a long run of outs.
RACE 4 - TWO KAY KLICK (1) is knocking on the door, chasing gamely into the placings in all three runs this campaign. Peaking now and reunites with winning hoop. Leading player. PINCHBECK (2) returns and has run well fresh without winning. Closed last campaign in good order with a trio of podium finishes. Well placed to play a major role fresh. TESTA DEXTA (3) doesn't win often but is lurking. Charged late for fourth at Balaklava last start. Gets his chance. REDWINELOVER (9) is going better than her form suggests. Draws sticky but has shown enough tactical speed to offset the wide draw and is a winner over this journey. Don't dismiss. DYLAN'S LAD (7) faded late when resuming at Balaklava. Strips fitter and is in the mix with improvement.
RACE 5 - BADONKIDONK (3) can redeem himself quickly after a disappointing performance in town last start. Drops back to a winning trip and will have them covered if he brings his A-game. HASTA LA PRINCE (9) doesn't win out of turn but does boast strong record over this track and trip. Has the peaks to match and can't be underestimated. MAX MERCURY (2) kicked off the campaign in great order but went amiss last start. Has been freshened with 29 days, keeping the legs ticking over a Warrnambool. Can bounce back sharply. STAY IN YOUR LANE (5) didn't fire a shot last start in the Mt Gambier Gold Cup but this is much easier. Nearing peak and is up to this on best form. LEADER'S PRIDE (7) next best.
RACE 6 - DARK LAGER (2) went amiss last start in town but his form prior stacks right up. Boasts a strong record over this track and trip and with good early speed he should prove very tough to reel in. KUSHAN KHANIVALE (4) will appreciate dropping back to the country circuit. Was a determined winner in this grade three back and the form around him stacks right up. FLYING ASSASSIN (6) returns shy of a preferred trip but was sharp enough when resuming over 1200m last campaign at Gawler. Suspect he will be doing his best work late. FLYWAY (7) was denied narrowly fresh, before disappointing in town. Strips fitter third-up and can get things back on track BURNT BY BERNIE (8) shares similar form lines. Hasn't been able to live up to market expectation of late but does hold claims on best efforts. Take on trust.
RACE 7 - SUPREME THUNDER (4) has been much better in his last three and is knocking on the door. Loves this course and distance and has Opperman sticking. Ready to strike. RUN AND TELL (1) has enough early toe to offset the wide alley as he steps up in trip fresh off a solid Streaky Bay third. If he controls tempo, he�ll take catching. PENSLEY (11) could land in a tricky spot from the low draw but will prove hard to hard out if the gaps appear. OAMARU POPPY (10) has faded out after showing good early toe in his last two. Suspect they will be a fraction more conservative this time and stalk the hot pace. Peaking fourth-up. OFF THE CUFF (9) is knocking on the door and gets in low at the weights with the 3kg claimer on. Don't overlook
