Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SARGEANT STAN (1) has good tactical speed and showed grit last start when battling on into fourth after a disappointing effort here two back. Hitting his straps now and is drawn to advantage. Ready. DITA VON (2) continues to knock on the door with another placing last time and is ultra-consistent over this trip. A win looks close. BESSIE LA BELLE (5) didn�t fire at Gundagai as favourite but is better than that and can bounce back sharply third-up. ROULLOTTIE (4) showed early toe last start before fading out but has enough speed to stick around longer this time. Worth some thought.
RACE 2 - KNIGHTS ARMOUR (1) looks ready to fire after a solid fifth at Wagga in the Gold Cup preview behind an in-form mare. Hitting his straps now and can add to his good third-up record. DUPED BY SPIN (5) never looked likely last start in the Albury Gold Cup so will enjoy the big drop in class and her form prior stacks right up. Gets in well at the weights and should be much more competitive. SEMPER FORTIS (4) was super first-up at Gundagai and is sure to have come on with that run under his belt. Lyon reuniting is a positive as he steps out to a winning trip. Big chance. ASHAU VALLEY (7) has hit form at the right time and comes off a smart win at Benalla. Well suited to go close again.
RACE 3 - GRENOBLE (3) resumes from a spell and looks well placed to make an impact fresh. He ran a solid race first-up last prep over the mile at Wyong, finishing in the placings. If he's forward enough, expect him to be strong late. MARINE PARADE (6) hit the line well last start at Werribee over this trip and should be hitting his straps now fourth-up. With a similar late surge, he's a genuine threat. IMPOSING TALLULAH (5) has found form. She�ll need to lift slightly in this grade but is more than capable of featuring in the finish. FINAL COMMENT (1) holds claims on best form and can improve sharply second-up.
RACE 4 - MALINGA MISSILE (1) made light work of his maiden last time out at Goulburn. Lightly raced with obvious upside, he looks well placed to go back-to-back and should take plenty of confidence from that win. JATO (3) was fresh last time and showed early dash at Wagga over 1300m, before holding on for third. He�ll strip fitter for that run and looks the likely pacesetter again, which makes him dangerous. GIJIMA GAL (6) continues to mix her form but has shown to possess a strong turn of foot on her day. While wins have been elusive, she finds the right race and looks capable of breaking through. RILEYCAT (5) was an eye-catcher fresh. Expect to see her settle much closer this time and McDougall sticking is a big push.
RACE 5 - HEAVENLY KISS (1) makes her stable debut for after a solid fourth over this trip at Newcastle just over a week ago. She has shown enough in her recent efforts to suggest she is ready to strike, and if she handles the change of scenery, she could be right in the thick of things late. CARRY ON LIZZY (8) is knocking on the door after four runs, the latest a midfield effort over 1600m at Cranbourne where she stuck on fairly. Has early speed which should see her land in a prime spot and give herself every chance. Blinkers on first time could prove the trick. SHEBRINGS BEAUTY (2) closed off nicely from the back to finish midfield when resuming at Wagga. Kept on the fresh side for this and will appreciate the added trip. Genuine hope. SISTER SHAY (3) continues to race well without winning and comes off a strong placing at Gundagai. She�s holding her form nicely and can be further improved with blinkers on first time.
RACE 6 - FOREMAN'S GULLY (2) didn�t fire last start at Seymour, but that came off a solid victory at Wagga the run prior where he proved too sharp over this trip. Has a stack of early speed and will appreciate reuniting with Owen. With a return to form, he will prove very tough to reel in, in this slightly easier assignment. LIGHTNING LIZARD (4) was sound without threatening when fifth over 1100m at Werribee last start. He�s racing consistently this prep and won�t need to improve much to be fighting out the finish. ROCKBARTON SHOUT (3) found winning form last time on the Carrathool dirt. If she can carry that confidence into this, she looks a threat. DENSETSU (1) has had a couple of flat runs since resuming but is back in the right grade and has the benefit of race fitness now. Capable of turning things around.
