Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CASTERLY ROCK (2) has been consistent without winning hitting the top-five at his past five outings but strikes a very winnable contest here. Will be at peak fitness now fourth-up from the break and Thornton sticks in the irons from the favourable draw. Rates the testing material. PEAR BELLINI (6) put in a career-best performance when runner-up last time out and must be respected from the Waller camp. Looms as the main danger. Former Victorian STYNSY (1) is having his first run for the new stable but showed ability before the spell and should find this assignment a touch easier. In the mix. RANGER ENJAY (5) returned in good order with a handy second on the Poly and gets the services of Maloney. Top-three aspirations. DESERT ANGEL (9) next best in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 2 - BE FRIENDLY (1) resumes here but was right there in all three runs in his first preparation including placing over this track and trip on debut. Tuned up for this with a recent trial placing and gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim. A strong showing while fresh would not surprise. Former NSW galloper THE TERMINATOR (5) is having his first run for the new stable but will find this easier than what he faced down south. Include from the inside alley. DASHING HOPE (9) has placed one from one over this course and distance and may earn some minor money. INTRUDER (7) rounds out the selections.
RACE 3 - Tricky race to assess with many of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade ENHANCE (3) is unlucky to still be a maiden placing in all four runs last time in work and may have found the right race to break through. Tuned up for this with two solid trials and should be right there when the whips are cracking. BOOMROUX (2) was too bad to be true before the spell but the three placings to kick off the career were good enough to feature in a race like this. Rates a leading prospect. CAPITAL BEAUTY (12) strips fitter second-up from the spell and is drawn to get a soft run in transit from gate three. In the mix. BRUTAL ADVANCE (4) has won both trials in preparation for this and any market support must be noted. The well-related SENORITA ZETA (14) (full to 2xG1 winner Pippie) best of the rest.
RACE 4 - Former Victorian ENCOURAGED (4) got the job done over this track and trip when having his first run for the new stable and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Sure to have come on with that run now under the belt and can go back-to-back to start the local campaign. The well-named BARASSI (1) has only missed a drum once in five career starts and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Top-three commodity. IPHIMEDIA (11) saves her best form for this sprint trip and may trouble the judge. The well-related A TOUCH FROM FAYT (7) (half to G3 winner Wapiti) next in line.
RACE 5 - BEAUTANTES (1) hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner Startantes) and should be ready to peak now third-up from the spell. Boasts a win around this circuit and gets some weight off with the 3kg claim. Should be right there when the judge calls a halt. FAT FINGERS (11) has strung two wins together on the bounce and is racing with a lot of confidence of late. Drawn perfectly in gate two and it's hard to knock mares in form. Another big run is on the cards. RIVIERA BLUE (5) has hit the top-five at his past four efforts and draws the inside marble. Top-three contender. TYPHOON TIP (10) has been right there at the past couple and is a must for the exotics players.
RACE 6 - OUT OF ACES (9) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was good enough to feature in a race like this. Looks the galloper in this field with plenty of upside and should prove hard to hold out. A LOT OF BOOTY (4) has won over this track and trip, strips fitter fourth-up from the break and gets 3kg off with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. Former Victorian COLLEANO (10) was a touch flat at his first local run but will have taken some benefit from that hit-out. Worth another chance. CROWN GUINEA (15) was a dominant winner over this course and distance last time out and Bayliss stays on board. In the mix. MISS SHU (14) best of the rest from the favourable draw.
RACE 7 - The honest AUTUMN MISS (7) has hit the top-four in all six runs this preparation and doesn't know how to put in a poor one. Drawn perfectly in gate three and drops back slightly in trip which should see her hitting the line with gusto. Rates the testing material. FITZROY STREET (14) has a win and a second from two runs this campaign and appears to have some upside. Top-three candidate. The very well-related DILIGENTE (20) (half to G1 winners Lady Shenandoah and Stronger) shed the maiden tag at the latest effort and will have derived a stack of confidence from that breakthrough victory. In the mix. SINGER SARGENT (4) best of the rest in a race with a long tail.
RACE 8 - Open race to close out the card. YEAH COPY (16) was a dominant Dalby winner at the latest appearance and whilst this contest will be a bit sterner he should be ready to go on with the job now. Another big run would not surprise. SINGULAR (2) should be ready to peak now fourth-up and must be respected from the Freedman camp. Sure to run well. NETWORK ERROR (11) got the maiden out of the way last time out and gets in well at the weights with the 2kg claim. Top-three contender on that effort. The well-related DILIGENTE (18) (half to G1 winners Lady Shenandoah and Stronger) is another last-start winner who shouldn't be slept on. ACES UP (24) next best in a race with plenty of chances.
